Horseman Coaches acquired by the Coach Travel Group

Reading-based Horseman Coaches has been acquired by The Coach Travel Group.

The Coach Travel Group says the acquisition will position the group to meet the high demand for travel in one of the UK’s busiest and most significant markets.

“Our ethos is to grow the group by bringing together well-established and like-minded operators, many of them family owned” – Tom Stables, CEO at The Coach Travel Group

Tom Stables, CEO at The Coach Travel Group, said: “We are delighted to announce the addition Horseman Coaches to The Coach Travel Group so soon after the company was formed in the summer.

“Our ethos is to grow the group by bringing together well-established and like-minded operators, many of them family owned; by building a portfolio of operators with a shared passion for first-class group travel, we will be better equipped to navigate the future challenges of the sector.”

The Coach Travel Group was formed by the strategic merger of Alpine Travel, Barnes Coaches, Coatham Coaches, JH Coaches, Johnsons Coaches, The Ready Group, Swans Travel and Whittles in June 2024. The group employs approximately 700 people and has over 450 vehicles.

Tom added: “While Horseman Coaches will benefit from the support of The Coach Travel Group, it will continue to operate as an individual brand so customers will not experience any significant changes. The family business shares our commitment to service quality, safety, and passenger experience – that is why we are delighted to have them on board. We have already started the integration process, so Horseman Coaches can benefit from shared resources and UK-wide support.

“The strength of The Coach Travel Group lies in each coach operator’s years of rich heritage, proven expertise, and deep connections within the local communities they serve. This unity ensures that while The Coach Travel Group operates on a national scale, it brings together operators from different regions where the heart and soul of the services remain as personal, and community focused as ever.”

Established in 1977, Horseman Coaches covers private coach hire in Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Maidenhead and West Berkshire. Named UK Coach Operator of the Year 2019, Horseman Coaches carries more than 9,000 passengers every day. Its modern fleet of 60 coaches ranges from 14- to 72-seaters, with 80% of vehicles at Euro VI.

“Forging new partnerships is what The Coach Travel Group is all about,” said Tom. “We want to leverage our combined knowledge of the industry, expanding our UK footprint with a diverse and unrivalled portfolio of outstanding coach operators. Combining our people and resources means we can confidently meet the evolving demands of today’s passengers, while setting new benchmarks for innovation in the travel industry.”