Coach & Bus Transport in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: April 2024
SIC H49.390Revenue
£4.2bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
69,167
Businesses
3,465
Wages
£X.Xbn
Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry analysis
Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is projected to tumble at a compound annual rate of 1.9% to £4.2 billion. The industry has exhibited high revenue volatility, mainly because of the pandemic, which caused considerable fluctuations in domestic passenger numbers and international tourists. High fuel prices and staffing shortages have also weighed on profitability and revenue growth. In recent years, increasing competition from ride-sharing companies and continued government investment in rail transport have limited passenger numbers.
Trends and Insights
- The COVID-19 outbreak costs the UK bus industry dearly. The global pandemic severely impacted bus transportation services, with providers National Express and Stagecoach reporting significant drops in both revenue and passenger numbers.
- Competition and strikes drive private hire revenue. Rising rail fares and ongoing strikes have bolstered the private hire and charter bus industry, with groups opting for these services due to their relative affordability and availability.
- London's wealth generates bus and coach industry interest. The city's high population, major airports and large businesses create a thriving environment for transport services, encouraging industry establishments to operate in the region.
- Market fragmentation defines the coach and bus industry. Although dominated by giants like Mobico and Stagecoach Group, the coach and bus transport industry consists mainly of small regional services focusing on specific geographic routes.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £4.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The COVID-19 outbreak decimated the industry
- COVID-19 disruptions severely dented previous revenue gains, as the National Express stated that its revenue fell by 50% in April 2020 compared with the same month in 2019, which erased gains made at the start of the year. Stagecoach states that its regional services only operated at 15% capacity in April 2020 as passenger numbers fell.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Government support for the UK transport sector will prove beneficial
- The National Bus Strategy and 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) hopes to boost bus journeys and improve the quality of UK buses by introducing more services, simpler fares and greener buses through yearly funding.
Biggest companies in the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Mobico Group plc | 557.4 | |
Stagecoach Group Ltd | 218.7 | |
Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd | 72.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Private hire and charters, Scheduled coach and bus services and Contract hire . Private hire and charters is the largest segment of the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Private hire and charter activity benefits from strike action
- Private hire and charters include buses and coaches, which stakeholders hire to transport large groups to specific locations. Stakeholders typically hire these services on an ad hoc basis, i.e. during industrial action.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Intercity Passenger Rail Transport in the UK
- Taxi Operation in the UK
- Scheduled Passenger Air Transport in the UK
Complementors
- Bus & Tramway Operations in the UK
International industries
- Public Transportation in the US
- Scheduled and Charter Bus Services in the US
- Public School Bus Services in the US
- Public Transportation in Canada
- Interurban and Rural Bus Transport in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes scheduled long-distance bus services and coach charters and excursions. This industry also includes airport shuttles, school bus services, buses for the transportation of employees and other private bus contract hires.
What's included in this industry?
Private hire and chartersScheduled coach and bus servicesContract hireCompanies
Mobico Group plcStagecoach Group LtdScottish Citylink Coaches LtdPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
AIRPORT SHUTTLEBUS SERVICE OPERATORS GRANTCHARTERED BUSSCHEDULED BUSIndustry Code
SIC 49.39 - Coach & Bus Transport in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The COVID-19 outbreak costs the UK bus industry dearly. The global pandemic severely impacted bus transportation services, with providers National Express and Stagecoach repo...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Competition and strikes drive private hire revenue. Rising rail fares and ongoing strikes have bolstered the private hire and charter bus industry, with groups opting for the...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London's wealth generates bus and coach industry interest. The city's high population, major airports and large businesses create a thriving environment for transport service...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Market fragmentation defines the coach and bus industry. Although dominated by giants like Mobico and Stagecoach Group, the coach and bus transport industry consists mainly o...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Pandemic disruptions hurt coach companies. The COVID-19 outbreak hit public transportation hard, with reduced passenger numbers causing multiple UK coach companies to report ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Mobico Group plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Stagecoach Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Mobico Group plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Stagecoach Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Bus services plan for a green transition. Amid climate concerns, local transport entities and bus companies have developed service improvement plans, aiming for a long-term s...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Market woes hurt profitability, though it will improve. Intensifying competition, soaring fuel prices and emission-standard compliance costs have weighed on the industry's pr...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £4.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 3,465 businesses in the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Coach & Bus Transport market in United Kingdom are Mobico Group plc, Stagecoach Group Ltd and Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd
What does the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Private hire and charters and Scheduled coach and bus services are part of the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Mobico Group plc.
How competitive is the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Coach & Bus Transport in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
