Go-Ahead expands its national coach operations with the acquisition of Regency Coaches in Sussex

The Go-Ahead Group has agreed a deal to acquire Regency Coaches, a coach operator headquartered in East Sussex. The business will become part of Go-Ahead’s subsidiary, Brighton and Hove Buses.

Regency Coaches operates school and private hire services, which will continue to be served by Brighton and Hove Buses as this new period of operation begins.

This latest deal builds on Go-Ahead’s other acquisitions across England, including Pulhams Coaches and four coach companies across North and West Yorkshire, and the North East which further strengthen our service offering for schools, businesses and local authority partners. Go-Ahead is now one of the largest coach operators in the UK.

Brighton and Hove Buses, and its sister company, Metrobus, both part of the Go-Ahead Group, operate a fleet of over 400 buses across a network of 123 routes serving Brighton and Hove, connecting the city with communities across the counties of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

Between the two operators, customers make 62 million journeys per year which is more bus journeys per head of the population than anywhere in the UK outside of London. This acquisition further grows Brighton and Hove Buses network, following the acquisition of Eastbourne Sightseeing at the start of this year.

Matt Carney, CEO – Go-Ahead Bus, said: 

“We’re delighted to welcome Regency Coaches to the Go-Ahead Group, and to grow our presence in the UK coach market. As a company we’re committed to connecting communities, so providing coach services across the country for schools, groups, small business and local authority partners is an important transport mode for our communities. This is an exciting expansion of our coach operation to provide all customers across the South Coast with even more choice.” 

Ed Wills, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses, said: 

“We are delighted to offer a greater variety of coaching vehicles and services as part of our business. I’d also like to welcome on board all drivers from Regency Coaches to the company. With a larger fleet in the local area, we look forward to growing the business, working with new and existing customers. Coaches are a great way to encourage people to travel more sustainably and without the stress of driving.”