FirstGroup has continued its purchase of smaller operators with the acquisition of Tetley’s Coaches of Leeds, which will be integrated into First Bus.
Tetley’s operates from a large depot that it owns in central Leeds, adjacent to the First Bus Hunslet Park operating centre. The operator brings 55 coaches and buses and what buyer FirstGroup describes as “a diverse portfolio of high-capacity adjacent services.”
Those include provision for schools and universities, workplace shuttles, and private hire “throughout the West Yorkshire Combined Authority area.” A high proportion of the Tetley’s Coaches contract income has recently been renewed, FirstGroup notes.
The operator has been in business for over 75 years. Managing Director Ian Tetley will remain in place as a director while the integration process is underway. Mr Tetley is also Chair of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Yorkshire region.
Speaking about the purchase, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland says: “I am very pleased to welcome Tetley’s Coaches to the group. This is a well-established, profitable business with its own large, centrally located depot and a strong contracts base.
“As we work to grow our adjacent services market share, this strategic acquisition will complement our York Pullman and Lakeside Coaches businesses and expand our operational footprint and contract portfolio in one of our key markets.”
In addition to the previous purchase of Lakeside and York Pullman, FirstGroup’s purchasing trail in recent years has also seen it take ownership of London operator Anderson Travel, Ensignbus of Purfleet, and Matthews Coaches of Ireland.
