Stagecoach expands its London bus operation further
- Red bus operations of HCT Group acquired
- Taking on leases for both depots at Ash Grove and Walthamstow Avenue
- Around 500 people and 160 buses to transfer covering 17 routes
- Follows shortly after Stagecoach’s acquisition of the Lea Interchange business
Stagecoach, the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, has today (27 August 2022) taken over the running of HCT Group's London ‘red bus’ services, which operate from leased depots at Ash Grove and Walthamstow Avenue.
It follows Stagecoach’s acquisition of Kelsian Group’s Lea Interchange business in June and will bring a further expansion of its London bus operation.
Almost 500 people and 160 buses from Ash Grove and Walthamstow depot have transferred to Stagecoach’s London business. These two depots operate 17 routes on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) covering key locations in the north, east and centre of the capital.
The location of the depots at Ash Grove and Walthamstow Avenue are a good strategic fit for Stagecoach's existing London operation and provide the opportunity to extend the area currently served.
Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive for Stagecoach, said: “We’re very pleased to be expanding our London bus operations even further and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to Stagecoach.
“Stagecoach has a positive track record of operating high quality bus services in London on behalf of TfL. The 17 new routes we will be operating from Ash Grove and Walthamstow Avenue depots will complement our existing operations and allow us to build even further on our successful London operations whilst continuing to support the Mayor’s drive for a net zero transport system for the capital.”
ENDS