Laura Mohan is suddenly getting attention across the UK, but not because she is a traditional social media influencer or celebrity.
She is the woman behind Billy’s Bus, a rather unusual business that has turned heads for one simple reason: the passengers are dogs.
And this week, Mohan found herself back in the spotlight after the bright yellow bus was targeted in an apparent attempted theft, leaving her “heartbroken” and forcing the service to temporarily cancel its usual dog trips.
The story is a little unusual, but that is exactly what makes Laura Mohan and Billy’s Bus so interesting.
Who Is Laura Mohan?
Laura Mohan is a 45-year-old entrepreneur from Preston who has lived in West Yorkshire for more than two decades.
Her idea for Billy’s Bus came from something very personal. She was struggling to find the kind of dog care she wanted for her Cavapoo, Billy, and eventually came across the concept of transporting dogs together to a private space where they could exercise and socialise.
Instead of simply looking for an existing service, she decided to create one herself.
That decision eventually became Billy’s Bus, named after her own dog.
What Is Billy’s Bus?
Imagine a school bus, except instead of children climbing aboard, around 15 dogs are picked up from their homes.
That is essentially what Billy’s Bus does.
The specially adapted vehicle collects dogs around parts of West Yorkshire before taking them to a private dog park. The dogs get time to run around, play and socialise before being taken home again.
The service operates around places including Ilkley, Skipton, Otley, Shipley, Guiseley and nearby areas. The dogs travel in specially designed spaces with safety restraints, while the bus is equipped for their comfort.
It sounds like something that should exist in a cartoon, but it has become a real business with a growing customer base.
Why Is Laura Mohan Trending Now?
The latest attention came after someone tried to interfere with the bus while it was parked at Tong Park Industrial Estate on Otley Road in Baildon.
According to Mohan, every single wire was cut during what appeared to be an attempt to hotwire the vehicle.
The damage meant the bus had to be taken off the road, forcing the team to cancel bookings. Mohan said the business had only previously cancelled its service twice in 11 months, both times because of extreme weather.
For a business built around collecting people’s pets, even a short interruption can create a major problem.
And this wasn’t just about missing a few dog walks. Billy’s Bus also had a planned visit to a care home cancelled because of the damage.
That community side of the business is something that makes Mohan’s story different from a normal pet-care startup.
Billy’s Bus Is More Than a Dog Walking Service
Mohan has turned the bus into something of a community project as well.
The dogs have visited care homes, schools and nurseries, allowing people to interact with them. The business has also created opportunities for volunteering, training and support for people who may face difficulties finding traditional employment.
Earlier this year, Mohan also appeared on the Oh My Dog! podcast with Jack Dee and Seann Walsh, where she discussed how the idea started and the unexpected community impact it has had.
So while the yellow bus initially grabs attention because it is funny and unusual, there is actually a much bigger idea behind it.
Harry Styles Also Helped Put the Bus on the Map
Billy’s Bus received another unexpected boost earlier this year when singer Harry Styles spoke to one of its employees during his Wembley concert.
The interaction gave the unusual dog bus another wave of attention online, adding to the growing interest around Mohan’s business.
It is one of those moments that probably could never have been planned.
A local dog bus became part of a Harry Styles concert story, and suddenly even more people knew about it.
What Happens to Billy’s Bus Now?
Despite the attempted theft, the service is back on the road.
Mohan said the support from customers and the wider community has helped restore her faith after what happened. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that they received a report of vehicle interference, with the crime filed pending any new lines of inquiry.
For now, the plan is simple: keep the bus moving.
And considering how much attention Billy’s Bus has attracted already, Laura Mohan’s unusual idea appears to have become something much bigger than a simple dog-walking business.
The yellow bus has dogs, devoted owners, a growing community around it — and now, a surprisingly large internet audience too.
