Go-Ahead Group subsidiaries Pulhams Coaches and Swindon’s Bus Company have been awarded a five-year contract to deliver 24 services to Cirencester College from the new academic year in September.
Those C-prefixed routes are currently operated by Stagecoach West. Under the new arrangement, they will be split equally between Pulhams and Swindon’s Bus Company. They cover a wide catchment area of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Swindon and Wiltshire and carry over 2,000 students per day.
Both operating businesses were purchased by Go-Ahead in recent years, with Swindon’s Bus Company coming in 2017 and Pulhams in 2023. Pulhams Area Director Alex Chutter notes how success with the Cirencester College contract represent a further step in the growth of that operator under Go-Ahead ownership.
“We are pleased to work in partnership with Cirencester College and our colleagues at Swindon’s Bus Company to transport pupils who are reliant on our services to and from their education,” says Mr Chutter.
“This represents another positive step forwards for Pulhams as part of our work to expand our network, develop our team, and add to our fleet and technology. That ensures all our customers experience safe and time-efficient journeys.”
Continues Cirencester College Vice-Principal Student Experience and External Relations Karen Fraser: “We are looking forward to working with the Go-Ahead Group to deliver our college transport services from September 2025.
“This partnership promises a good student experience with the potential for significant added value. The Go-Ahead Group is well positioned to support the demand from an increasing number of applicants across the region, facilitating sustainable growth for the college.”
Tickets for the college services will be available via the operators’ apps. Students will also gain access to the Pulhams and Swindon’s Bus Company core networks throughout the validity period of those passes.
