A SCOTTISH bus company has purchased an English coach operator.

Aberdeen-based FirstGroup said it has bought Anderson Travel for an undisclosed price, with the aim being to expand the company’s coach services in and around London.

The acquisition includes Anderson Travel Ltd, Anderson Tours Ltd and London Mini Coaches Ltd – which includes 40 coaches in and around London from a depot near Tower Bridge and a new smaller depot near Heathrow Airport.

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The London company previously provided contracted school, private hire, mini coach and tour services around the English capital – making reported earnings before interest and tax of £1 million.

FirstGroup CEO Graham Sutherland said: “The acquisition of Anderson Travel, an experienced and profitable coach company, builds on our recent strategic acquisitions in the B2B and B2C coach market.

“We will continue to identify and assess opportunities to diversify and grow as we increase our share of the adjacent services market in the UK, where we see considerable opportunity for stable, long-term and value accretive growth.”