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Why I Founded JRP Direct

Here’s the story behind JRP Direct. Here’s how we started.

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About James Plaskett

My name is James. I founded JRP Direct with one clear mission: To raise the standards of group travel.

Before starting the company, I had always wanted to run my own business. My family has always been involved in business, so I grew up surrounded by it and knew from a young age that I wanted to build something of my own.

After leaving school, I entered the transport industry. It quickly became clear how often customers were left frustrated, late arrivals, poor communication, tired and dirty vehicles, and a lack of accountability from companies. What struck me most was that these were not just routine journeys being affected. They were important life moments weddings, corporate events, airport transfers, school trips, and more.

When transport fails, it doesn’t just cause inconvenience. It creates stress, delays, and lasting impressions for the wrong reasons.

It takes years to build a reputation, but only moments to damage one.

I knew there was a better way to do things, and I had a clear vision for how it should be done. In my family, we have always said. “If we’re going to do something, we do it properly.”

A Simple Philosophy: Do It Properly

  • Arrive early, every time.
  • Provide modern, clean, comfortable vehicles.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally with clients and staff.
  • Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees.
  • Treat every client no matter what the job with respect, the way you would want to be treated.

From day one, my focus was on building trust. Not just completing bookings but building long-term relationships with his clients.

Our Journey

In October 2019, I purchased my first vehicle, a two-year-old 2017 Ford Transit minibus. At the time, it was a big step. To keep costs down, I kept the vehicle at home and personally went out to find customers.

In the first month, the business generated £2,000 in revenue. After months of planning and research, having those first customers felt incredible. Of course, once costs and time were taken into account it wasn’t a huge profit, but that’s part of starting a business. Over the following months, the work steadily increased.

Then COVID hit, and everything stopped. The minibus had to be parked up while we waited for the industry to recover. When schools began reopening, work slowly started coming back. Around this time, I secured my first school contract, which was a major milestone for the business.

As demand grew, I expanded, in March 2021 I purchased a second minibus and employed my first driver then again in August 2022 we expanded again with another vehicle and full-time driver.

Then in September 2023, after months of negotiations and planning, I purchased JG Coaches. Overnight, the business grew from 3 vehicles to 17 vehicles, along with office staff, engineers, and a larger operating yard. It was a huge learning curve, but also something that had been in the pipeline for a long time and a dream I had worked toward.

That’s when the real work began. Over the following months, I have invested heavily into the company, including, new facilities, new coaches, driver training, operational improvements. I then brought everything together under one brand and renamed the company JRP Direct, the business you see today.

The Team Behind the Business

At the heart of the company, the values remain the same as when I had one minibus and drove every job myself from late nights to early mornings.

Today, I have a fantastic team behind my business. My Transport Manager Ollie runs the day-to-day operations, allowing me to focus on developing the company and continuing to raise the standards. None of this growth would be possible without the dedication oour company’s drivers and support team.

The Difference

What makes JRP Direct different is simple: We care about the outcome of your journey.

When someone books transport, there is usually something important behind it. You need confidence that, your driver will arrive prepared. your vehicle will represent your standards; your schedule will run smoothly.

That’s why we take ownership of every booking from start to finish, ensuring seamless coordination, punctual arrivals, and a professional experience throughout.

Built on Reputation

JRP Direct has grown through repeat business and recommendations. The strongest endorsement any company can receive.

Our reputation has been built on: Consistency, Reliability, Professionalism, A commitment to exceeding expectations

The personal touch is more important than ever in today’s world. I still try to visit as many customers as possible throughout the year – especially at Christmas – to say thank you and show how much we value their support.

We don’t aim to be the biggest.

We aim to be the most dependable, and the best at what we do.

You know when you book us, we will make sure the job gets done properly.

  • Get a Free Quote Today

    Whether it’s an airport run or a week-long European adventure, our minibus hire service is ready to make it happen. Call our friendly team or request your free online quote today.

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  • “The Perfect Driver”

    “Everything went really well, and we would also like to say a special thank you to Nigel, our driver. He was absolutely amazing and completely became part of our family. He was friendly, adaptable, understanding, good fun and easy to get along with – the perfect driver!”

    Sarah

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