The Coach Travel Group has recorded a major expansion of its footprint with the purchase of operators Clarkes of London, The Kings Ferry, Lucketts Travel and Worthing Coaches from National Express Transport Solutions.
They join nine other operators already within The Coach Travel Group fold. Among those is Stewarts Coaches of Reading, which was purchased by the group from National Express in late-2024.
In what the purchaser describes as “a strategic move,” the latest deal will restore the local identity of each business while maintaining private hire, contract work and other coach service provision. That will include continuing to operate scheduled services on behalf of National Express.
Speaking about the purchase, CEO Tom Stables says: “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 are not only safeguarding their future – we are giving them the tools to grow.”
Mr Stables adds that purchase 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 sales platform and a significant, longstanding client base.”
He notes how such assets complement The Coach Travel Group’s model, enhancing collaboration across its operator portfolio “and enabling seamless, in-house fulfilment.”
When coupled 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.”
Each of the operators in question have been family-owned in the past before coming under National Express ownership. Andrew Luckett, part of the family that founded Lucketts Travel 99 years ago, was recently appointed Chief Technology Officer by The Coach Travel Group.
Mr Stables adds that purchase of the four businesses significantly bolsters The Coach Travel Group’s presence in the South and South-East of England.
“Importantly, we are continuing to operate scheduled coach services on behalf of National Express, which remain a crucial part of the UK’s national coach network. At the same time, we are committed to restoring each operator’s local identity and empowering them to grow in the private hire and contract space,” he concludes.
National Express UK and Germany CEO Kevin Gale says that the Mobico subsidiary is pleased to complete the deal with The Coach Travel Group and has welcomed its debut as a partner operator on scheduled services.
“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,” adds Mr Gale.
“We are proud of the achievements of our Transport Solutions colleagues and their valuable contributions over the years. We wish them every success for the future.”
