The Coach Travel Group

[Ginge_dave]

Multiple coach companies have merged (whilst retaining their local management and brands)

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Exciting News!
Barnes Coaches is proud to announce the launch of The Coach Travel Group, uniting seven leading coach companies to form a leader in coach and minibus transport services.️

We have joined forces with six other leading reputable coach companies, including:
️Alpine Travel, Coach Hire in North Wales including Jones Holidays
️Coatham Coaches
️JH Coaches
️Johnsons Coaches including Whittles Coaches
️Swans Travel
️The Ready Group including Readybus Ltd, Arena Travel Turbostyle Coaches and L J Edwards Coach Hire

Together, we're poised to deliver even greater value and service quality to our customers.

A few words from our directors Matt & Luke Barnes: "This is a major event for Barnes Coaches and the whole of the UK coach travel industry, we are proud to have joined a national group formed by local coach companies. Loyal and new customers will still receive our high level of service, but they can soon take advantage of a wider selection of holidays and tours. By joining forces with other respected businesses, we have laid the foundations for an unbeatable group travel experience. With the support of our new partners, we can be a leading name in the industry while continuing our aim of improving every journey. The main reason for merging with other coach travel businesses was to expand our reach and capabilities. We can now offer a more complete solution to our customers and will have the ability to say ‘yes’ to new customers wherever they are! Our broad base of local customers can still rely on Barnes Coaches to provide an affordable and convenient travel experience with a modern fleet of comfortable, eco-friendly coaches driven by professional drivers. As part of a national group, we can negotiate better deals with suppliers and invest in new technologies to enhance the overall customer experience. It will also give us coach parking and service back-up across the country. Barnes Coaches customers can expect the same level of service as they have always enjoyed, delivered on our coaches with our drivers. Our focus on customer satisfaction will continue and be delivered by the same team as before.”

Please be reassured that the friendly faces you've come to know and trust - our dedicated reservations team, drivers, and our big green coaches - will still be taking you on your holidays and day trips. All your bookings for holidays and day trips are secure and will go ahead exactly as scheduled. Our goal remains to make every journey with us enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable while upholding the high standards of safety and customer service you're accustomed to. Being united as The Coach Travel Group will allow us to offer you a broader array of destinations and enhanced travel packages while maintaining the exceptional customer service and competitive pricing you've come to expect from us.

Thank you for your continued loyalty. We look forward to continuing to explore new horizons together! ️

Read our full statement on the Barnes news blog on our website here > https://www.barnescoaches.co.uk/blog/post/206-news-the-coach-travel-group

Find out more about our group today www.coachtravelgroup.com

 

[Teds]

Although Route One uses the term merged, I think the companies remain independent and choose to cooperate in the group for the benefits that a larger grouping can bring. If they have merged, how long before there is a corporate livery and a corporate purchasing policy? Hopefully, a long time.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Tom Stables, the former National Express UK and Germany CEO, is the CEO for this venture.

Although Route One uses the term merged, I think the companies remain independent and choose to cooperate in the group for the benefits that a larger grouping can bring. If they have merged, how long before there is a corporate livery and a corporate purchasing policy? Hopefully, a long time.

Their own website* (in a Q&A with Stables) describes it as a merger

How does the merger affect your current employees?

We have a wonderful team of more than 700 dedicated professionals working across 16 sites who are committed to delivering exceptional service and ensuring customer satisfaction.

We recognise that a change can bring uncertainty and questions about what lies ahead. Our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our employees remains unchanged. While there may be adjustments, our core values and dedication to excellence will continue to be our North Star!

Does the merger include investment to grow the group?

We have an ambitious growth strategy for The Coach Travel Group, that will include further acquisitions. Furthermore, over the past three years our local brands have committed more than £23 million to enhance and expand our fleet of vehicles.

* source - https://www.coachtravelgroup.com/news-and-media/qa-tom-stables-ceo

 

[GusB]

Well, this seems to be a fairly fast-moving situation. A private equity investor is on board, and there are to be more forthcoming acquisitions.

Investment company to leverage consortium’s combined strengths - Bus & Coach Buyer

Private equity firm H2 Equity Partners has invested in The Coach Travel Group. The newly formed consortium of coach operators brings together Alpine Travel, Barnes Coaches, Coatham Coaches, JH Coaches, Johnsons Coaches, Swans Travel and The Ready Group under a national group of unscheduled coach...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

Private equity firm H2 Equity Partners has invested in The Coach Travel Group.

The newly formed consortium of coach operators brings together Alpine Travel, Barnes Coaches, Coatham Coaches, JH Coaches, Johnsons Coaches, Swans Travel and The Ready Group under a national group of unscheduled coach service providers.

H2 is to work closely with CTG to leverage the combined strengths of the seven operators and drive investment in its people, fleet and technology.

H2 Equity Partners was founded in 1991 and focuses its investments in the UK, Ireland and the Benelux. It invests in mid-sized companies with what it deems significant growth or improvement potential. The firm’s typical investment targets are companies generating annual sales of £20m to £500m. It covers a wide range of industries and markets, but focuses on fundamentally profitable sectors with underlying growth. It has invested in healthcare, building materials, business services, software and IT among others.

More acquisitions planned for The Coach Travel Group - Bus & Coach Buyer

Tom Stables, the CEO of a newly formed consortium of seven coach operators, has announced further acquisitions for the Group are planned. Tom made the announcement on The Coach Travel Group’s website, where he also revealed further insight into the consortium. Tom said on the website: “The Coach...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

Tom Stables, the CEO of a newly formed consortium of seven coach operators, has announced further acquisitions for the Group are planned.

Tom made the announcement on The Coach Travel Group’s website, where he also revealed further insight into the consortium.

Tom said on the website: “The Coach Travel Group will undoubtedly change the shape and look of our industry. My vision is for us to be the leading national coach travel provider, providing excellent services across the UK rooted in our local communities and markets.”

The piece says the ambition of the Group is to serve the whole of the UK, leveraging the combined strengths of its local operators to drive success and achieve its shared goals.