National Express Purchases Largest Coach Operator on the South Coast
National Express has completed the purchase of Fareham-based Lucketts Group.
As well as operating scheduled services on behalf of National Express the family-owned business provides private hire, chartered holiday and day trip services to tens of thousands of customers every year. The Lucketts Group, which includes Lucketts Travel, Coliseum Coaches, Mortons Travel, Solent Coaches and Worthing Coaches, is the largest coach operator on the South Coast employing 350 people and operating a fleet of 160 coaches and buses.
This acquisition provides National Express with a platform for further growth in the private hire, coach tours and corporate shuttle markets, as well as strengthening its network operations in southern England.
The current Lucketts management team, headed up by managing director Tony Lawman, will remain in place reporting into Tom Stables, National Express Managing Director, UK and Germany, and the business will continue to trade under its existing brand names.
Commenting on the purchase, Tom Stables said: “We already have a strong relationship with Lucketts so know it is a fantastic company with an excellent record of delivering high-quality services.
“The acquisition enables us to expand further into the private hire and tours market and we look forward to welcoming all our new colleagues to National Express.”
Ian Luckett, director, added: “We are delighted that Lucketts Group is joining National Express with whom we have had a strong relationship for many years.
“We know we can trust them to look after what our family has built up and we are confident that they will be able to take the business to the next level."