Stagecoach West strengthens Oxfordshire presence with acquisition of Cheney Travel
Stagecoach West has announced the acquisition of Cheney Coaches Ltd, trading as Cheney Travel, a well-established coach operator based in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
The acquisition strengthens Stagecoach West's presence in Banbury and North Oxfordshire, complementing its existing bus and coach operations and creating opportunities for future growth in the region.
Founded in 1976, Cheney Travel is a family-run business with a longstanding reputation for quality and customer service. Operating a fleet of approximately 21 vehicles, the company provides private and corporate coach hire, school and college transport, and contracted services.
Over almost 50 years, Cheney Travel has built strong relationships with local communities, schools and businesses. Its commitment to quality is reflected in its history, including becoming the first business in the coach industry to achieve ISO 9001 accreditation in 1998.
The acquisition is a strong strategic fit for Stagecoach West, which already operates local bus services in Banbury and across Oxfordshire, alongside its Oxford Tube coach service connecting Oxford and London.
Bringing Cheney Travel into the Stagecoach family adds specialist private-hire and contracted coach expertise, while providing opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen operations and support the business's continued growth.
Martin Gibbon, Managing Director of Stagecoach West, said: "We're delighted to welcome Cheney Travel into the Stagecoach family. This is a business with a proud history, a fantastic reputation and strong connections to the communities it serves.
"Cheney Travel has spent almost 50 years building a trusted name in coach travel, and that is something we want to protect and build upon.
"This acquisition is a natural fit with our existing operations in Oxfordshire. It strengthens our presence in Banbury and North Oxfordshire, brings valuable specialist expertise into our business and creates opportunities for future growth.
"I'd particularly like to thank the directors of Cheney Travel for their dedication and hard work over the years. They've built a highly respected business with a loyal customer base and a strong team, and we're committed to building on that legacy.
"Our priority is to ensure continuity for Cheney Travel's employees and customers, while working together to build on the success of the business."
Cheney Travel will continue operating under its existing name and branding, with its established services, management team and day-to-day operations remaining in place.
Stagecoach West will work closely with the Cheney Travel team to support a smooth transition, maintaining the service and customer relationships for which the business is known.
The acquisition also reflects Stagecoach West's continued investment in Oxfordshire, where it operates local bus and coach services and has supported the introduction of zero-emission buses in Oxford.