AN INDEPENDENT bus operator in Hampshire has secured Yellow Coaches – meaning school and college bus services in the area will be secure in September. 

Eastleigh-based Xelabus secured Yellow Coaches Ltd, the subsidiary of Yellow Buses, from its directs and shareholders. 

Xela Group, which already compromises of businesses such as Xelabus, Xeklacoach and Isle of Wight’s Seaview Services, will manage the school and college school bus routes in Bournemouth. 

Bournemouth Echo: Hampshire-based XelabusHampshire-based Xelabus (Image: Daily Echo)

Read more: National Express to buy Yellow Buses' coach division

Read more: Timeline of Yellow Buses collapse into administration

The business has built a strong brand in the area with its attractive Green and Cream vehicles built up over the past 12 years when established in 2010. 

Gareth Blair, owner and managing director of the Xela Group, said: “We are delighted to have secured a popular name in the Bournemouth and surrounding areas.  

“We hope to continue building on the brand and secure further school, college and private hire contracts.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Yellow Buses ended on Thursday afternoonYellow Buses ended on Thursday afternoon (Image: NQ)

Simon Newport, former director and shareholder of Yellow Coaches Limited, said: “It's fantastic that the Xelagroup team have agreed to keep Yellow Coaches going in Bournemouth.  

“I am confident that the business will continue to provide school contracts and tenders across the conurbation to a high level. I think the future looks bright for Yellow Coaches.” 

National Express confirmed on Thursday they are to buy Yellow Buses' coach and engineering side of the business. This means they have bought the coaches that go from Bournemouth to London.

Yellow Coaches is seperate to that, as it is used for school and college bus routes.