The Go-Ahead Group has bought family-run business Pulhams Coaches to expand its Oxfordshire bus operation and continue its move into the coach market.
Gloucestershire-based Pulham’s, which was established in 1880 and employs a staff of 126, has a fleet of 90 buses and operates 22 routes in the Cotswolds, as well as coach services.
Go-Ahead intends to continue running Pulhams as a standalone business as part of its Oxford division as it does with previous acquisitions Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and City Sightseeing Oxford. The well-established branding will remain and the buying group says it has no plans to make staffing changes.
Last month, Pulhams became the first operator to complete a new combined DVSA Earned Recognition and Guild of British Coach Operators audit. Its services include demand-responsive, school, college and corporate coach travel.
The move will allow Go-Ahead’s Oxford business to grow further to the west and connect up to existing Pulham services. It will also see the company add to its expanding coach operations, which locally include airline services to Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as National Express-branded contracts.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of the Oxford Bus Company, says: “Pulhams’ buses and coaches are familiar and well loved in communities throughout the Cotswolds. The business links nicely with our existing services in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties, and helps us to diversify our business further into new market segments.
“We’ll be investing in developing the Pulhams business further, for the benefit of both customers and colleagues.”
In the past year, Go-Ahead has always bought up Dartline in Devon and Southdown Buses in West Sussex.
Andrew Pulham, Managing Director of Pulhams Coaches, adds: “I am excited to work with Luke and the wider Go-Ahead team in developing new business opportunities and enhancing those that we already have in place.
“Go-Ahead’s commitment to invest in the Pulhams’ business as we look towards decarbonisation of our fleets is welcome and I look forward to learning from the Group’s experience in this area. Kathryn and I remain committed to Pulhams and look forward to this next chapter in our well-established, successful business.”
