Kent bus operator Go-Coach is back in the hands of founder Austin Blackburn (pictured) after a period under the control of Hulleys of Baslow.
Mr Blackburn sold Go-Coach in December 2023 but completed a management buyout that took the operation back into his ownership on 28 February.
He will continue in his role as Engineering Director. A new Managing Director and other senior leadership team members will join over coming months “to ensure stability for all staff and customers,” the Swanley operator says.
It adds that core focus will remain the provision of quality, reliable and sustainable services and a further building of relationships with Kent County Council and other local authorities.
To both ends, Go-Coach has become the first operator to order Wrightbus Rightech RB6 small battery-electric buses. Those six-metre models – part of a two-model range of such small buses recently launched by Wrightbus – will be used on the Go2 demand responsive service in the Ebbsfleet area.
Mr Blackburn says that he is “absolutely delighted” to bring Go-Coach back under local management and ownership and that he is excited about what the future holds.
“We are building an expert team who will expand our innovative operational approach and ensure that we strengthen and grow the business for our customers, staff and communities,” he continues.
“We are open for business and we look forward to growing to provide more commercial, contracted and rail replacement service for the future as well as seeking new areas to grow.
“We are also very excited about expanding our innovative demand responsive transit service, bringing brand-new electric vehicles to the Go2 service in Ebbsfleet over the coming months.”
In addition to operating buses, Go-Coach has a commercial workshop providing servicing and repairs to third parties. Refurbishment and accident damage rectification are part of those efforts.
Separately, Go-Coach will hold an open day at its historic art deco Swanley depot on 23 August to mark 100 years of operation of buses from there. Many historic and current vehicles are expected to attend.
