Stagecoach – which provides many of the services people use in and around Swindon – is in talks for a £445 million takeover.

National Express is in negotiations with its fellow bus firm to bring together two of the UK’s biggest transport groups. 

It comes after both companies have been hit hard by the pandemic, with passenger numbers slumping due to lockdowns, remote working and a switch away from public transport.

The groups have outlined plans to slash costs as part of the potential merger, with National Express saying it expects to find annual savings of at least £35 million, with around 25 per cent by the end of the first year.National Express has bus and coach networks across the UK and Spain, while it also runs school bus services in America and a rail franchise in Germany.

But Stagecoach is UK focused and is Britain’s biggest bus and coach operator.
National Express said the deal would allow it to use Stagecoach’s depot network to run and maintain its coach operations, while also allowing it to expand its new growth initiatives – such as private coach hire, corporate shuttle and accessible transport – across Stagecoach’s UK operations.