The national group has added Regency Coaches of Sussex to its growing portfolio of coach operations
The Go-Ahead Group reports that it has agreed a deal to acquire Regency Coaches, a coach operator headquartered in East Sussex. The business will become part of Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses subsidiary. Regency Coaches operates school and private hire services, which will continue to be served under Brighton & Hove, Go-Ahead says.
The latest purchase builds on Go-Ahead’s other recent acquisitions across England, including that of Pulhams Coaches in Cheltenham and four coach companies across North and West Yorkshire and the North East, as the group continues to diversify and strengthen its service offering for schools, businesses and local authority partners. Go-Ahead says the latest acquisition makes it one of the largest coach operators in the UK.
CEO of Go-Ahead Bus Matt Carney said: “We’re delighted to welcome Regency Coaches to the Go-Ahead Group, and to grow our presence in the UK coach market. As a company we’re committed to connecting communities, so providing coach services across the country for schools, groups, small business and local authority partners is an important transport mode for our communities. This is an exciting expansion of our coach operation to provide all customers across the South Coast with even more choice.”
Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses Ed Wills added: “We are delighted to offer a greater variety of coaching vehicles and services as part of our business. I’d also like to welcome on board all drivers from Regency Coaches to the company. With a larger fleet in the local area, we look forward to growing the business, working with new and existing customers. Coaches are a great way to encourage people to travel more sustainably and without the stress of driving.”
In a statement on its website, Regency Coaches confirmed that the sale had included the fleet of 16 vehicles plus 14 employees, who have transferred to Brighton & Hove’s Spirit of Sussex coaching division.
“We are delighted to have reached a deal with Brighton & Hove Buses to acquire Regency Coaches and we are certain that with their experience and expertise they will continue to provide a great service to our customers, and we wish them all the very best for the future,” said company directors John & Jackie Durrant. “Thank you for your business over the years.”
