Norfolk coach and bus operator Simonds of Botesdale has been bought by Vectare. It takes the purchaser to an overall fleet strength of almost 200 vehicles.
Simonds has a 96-year heritage and is now based in Diss. It will be kept operationally separate from Vectare’s existing operations, which include earlier acquisitions Central Connect and Galleon Travel, and Flagfinders.
Included in the deal is Simonds’ depot. It has a 12-bay workshop, a DVSA authorised testing facility, and extensive office and meeting space. The revenue stream from third-party users generated by those facilities “is one that Vectare intends to further develop,” it says.
Speaking about the sale, former owner Martyn Simonds says: “The opportunity to pass on my family’s legacy to Vectare is one I could not pass up. It will bring energy, investment and enthusiasm, and take the Simonds name forward into the future.
“I am delighted that Vectare has chosen to work with the fantastic team here in Diss, who have served the business so well.”
Vectare has further expansion planned for later this year. Commercial and Operations Director Peter Nathanail adds that while its geographic focus on East Anglia and the East Midlands remains fixed, the business is keen to grow “both organically as new transport requirements arise and through further acquisitions.”
Continues Mr Nathanail: “We are immensely privileged to be able to join forces with Simonds and continue the excellent work that Martyn and his team have done for so many years.
“We are looking forward to getting stuck into the day-to-day operation of the business, with plans to refresh the local bus network, invest in the coach fleet, and further develop Simonds’ presence in the tours, excursions and tourism market.”
Both Simonds of Botesdale and Vectare already work with Norfolk County Council (NCC) and Suffolk County Council.
NCC has given its blessing to the sale, with Head of Passenger Transport Niki Park saying: “I am thrilled to see Vectare taking over at Simonds, and I look forward to working with Vectare and seeing it continue the excellent service that Simonds has built up over the last 96 years.
“Vectare is already operating in Norfolk with our Flexibus+ service in Swaffham, which continues to grow, so I look forward to seeing it expand its operations across the county.”
