The Coach Travel Group (TCTG) has acquired a set of four operators from National Express Transport Solutions: Lucketts Travel, Worthing Coaches, Clarkes of London, and The Kings Ferry.
TCTG, which recently underwent a brand revision to mark its one-year anniversary, has stated that the move to purchase the four companies represents a commitment to reinvesting in the UK’s coach travel sector, as well as restore the local identities of the businesses involved.
All four operators will continue to operate as normal under their new ownership.
Tom Stables, CEO of The Coach Travel Group, said:We are thrilled to welcome these four operators to The Coach Travel Group. This is a powerful example of our mission in action bringing together respected regional brands, many with family-run heritage and giving them the support they need to thrive in today’s market. We’re not only safeguarding their future, we’re giving them the tools to grow.
The acquisition of The Kings Ferry and The Kings Ferry Connections strengthens our ability to fulfil nationally through the established team, bringing with it a highly regarded national sales platform and a significant, long-standing client base. These assets complement and operate in synergy with The Coach Travel Group model, enhancing collaboration across our network of Operators and enabling seamless, in-house nationwide fulfilment.
Coupled with access to a substantial partner operator database, this integration allows us to rapidly scale operations to support major events and meet the demands of high-intensity clients with consistency, flexibility, and reliability.
Launched in June 2024 as a result of a merger of Alpine Travel, Barnes Coaches, Coatham Coaches, JH Coaches, Johnsons Coaches, The Ready Group, Swans Travel and Whittles Coaches; The Coach Travel Group also added Stewarts Coaches and Horseman Coaches in December 2024 and now employs roughly 700 people across its nationwide fleet of more than 450 vehicles.
Kevin Gale, Chief Executive Officer of National Express UK & Germany, said:We are pleased to complete this deal with The Coach Travel Group and we welcome them as our new partner operator on the scheduled coach network. Following a comprehensive review of our UK coach business, this move allows us to focus on areas where we can deliver the greatest value to our customers and stakeholders, while pursuing new opportunities for growth and future success.
We are very proud of the achievements of our Transport Solutions colleagues and their valuable contributions over the years. We wish them every success for the future.
