Go South Coast[3] is a bus operator on the south coast of England. It is a subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group. All services under the company come under its operating certificate, however the buses run under a multitude of brands.[4]
 | |
| Parent | Go-Ahead Group |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Poole |
| Service area | Dorset Hampshire Isle of Wight Wiltshire Somerset[1] |
| Service type | Bus & coach services |
| Depots | 13 |
| Fleet | 850 [2] |
| Annual ridership | 46 million (June 2014)[2] |
| Chief executive | Andrew Wickham |
| Website | gosouthcoast |
History edit
In August 2003 the Go-Ahead Group purchased the business of Wilts & Dorset, including its Damory Coaches and Tourist Group subsidiaries,[5] followed in July 2005 by Southern Vectis including its Solent Blue Line subsidiary.[6] In February 2006 Wilts & Dorset purchased bus refurbishment company Hants & Dorset Trim.[7]
Later in 2006, Go-Ahead consolidated the management of its south coast operations under Go South Coast in Poole.
In October 2006 Marchwood Motorways was purchased, with it being integrated into Bluestar.[8][9]
Thamesdown Transport was purchased from Swindon Borough Council in February 2017.[10]
Subsidiaries edit
All public bus services come under local brands, which have distinct liveries. These are:
- Bluestar – The brand for Southampton and the surrounding area.
- Unilink – Contracted to provide services for the University of Southampton
- Morebus – The brand for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as well as the surrounding areas.
- UNIBUS – The brand for Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth services.
- Salisbury Reds – The brand for Salisbury, as well as the surrounding area.
- Southern Vectis – The brand for all buses on the Isle of Wight
- Swindon's Bus Company (formerly Thamesdown Transport) – The brand in Swindon.
The company also has three coach brands:[11]
- Excelsior Coaches – Bournemouth, offering private coach hire, school services and tours
- Damory Coaches – school buses and services in central East Dorset
- Tourist Group – Dorset and Wiltshire, providing services to schools in Wiltshire.
Finally, the company has a bus refurbishment and repair shop, called 'Hants and Dorset Trim'. The company is based in Eastleigh.
Fleet edit
As at May 2023, Go South Coast operated over 850 buses and coaches from thirteen depots.[2]
References edit
- ^ "Swindon's Bus Company X76 timetable".
- ^ a b c "About Go South Coast". Go South Coast.
- ^ Companies House extract: Company no 3949597 – Go South Coast Limited formerly Southern Vectis Transport Limited
- ^ "Go South Coast" Buses issue 714 September 2014 page 72
- ^ Bus buy for Go-Ahead The Guardian 12 August 2003
- ^ Recommended Cash Offer for Southern Vectis plc Archived 15 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Go-Ahead Group 11 July 2005
- ^ Acquisition of Hants & Dorset Tram Limited Archived 2 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine Go-Ahead Group 6 February 2006
- ^ Acquisition of Marchwood Buses Archived 15 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Go-Ahead Group 24 October 2006
- ^ Go-Ahead purchases Marchwood Motorways Archived 6 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine busandcoach.com 26 October 2006
- ^ "Swindon council sells loss-making Thamesdown Transport bus firm". BBC News: Wiltshire. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "Excelsior Coaches". Retrieved 13 May 2021.