BELOVED bus and coach company Pulhams has been sold to a bigger operator.

The Bourton-on-the-Water firm, which has a fleet of 90 buses and coaches, has been bought by Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company division.

Pulhams currently employs 126 people and serves communities across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company division already owns Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and City Sightseeing Oxford as well as the eponymous Oxford Bus Company.

Pulhams has won multiple awards over the last few years and is one of the oldest established passenger transport companies in Britain.

It was founded in 1880 to carry passengers into Cheltenham from nearby villages by horse and cart.

The acquisition will enable Go-Ahead to expand its coaching operations by developing the coach hire side of the Pulhams business across the wider business operating area.

This is Go-Ahead’s third acquisition of the year, following the purchase of Dartline in Devon and Southdown Buses in West Sussex.

Luke Marion, managing director of the Oxford Bus Company, said: “Pulhams’ buses and coaches are familiar and well loved in communities throughout the Cotswolds. 

"The business links nicely with our existing services in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties, and helps us to diversify our business further into new market segments.

"We’ll be investing in developing the Pulhams business further, for the benefit of both customers and colleagues.”

Andrew Pulham, managing director of Pulhams Coaches said: “I am excited to work with Luke and the wider Go-Ahead team in developing new business opportunities and enhancing those that we already have in place.

"Go-Ahead’s commitment to invest in the Pulhams’ business as we look towards decarbonisation of our fleets is welcome and I look forward to learning from the groups experience in this area.  

"Kathryn and I remain committed to Pulhams and look forward to this next chapter in our well-established, successful business.”

Christian Schreyer, group chief executive, The Go-Ahead Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Pulhams into the group. 

"At Go-Ahead, we see many opportunities to expand in Britain’s bus industry as the country moves towards a net zero future in which people leave their cars at home in favour of public transport.”