National Express Group has entered the London commuter coach market with the acquisition of Kent-based coach company Kings Ferry Travel Group for approximately £8 million.

National Express Group has entered the London commuter coach market with the acquisition of Kent-based coach company Kings Ferry Travel Group for approximately £8 million.

Established 40 years ago, Kings Ferry provides daily coach travel services to 1,300 commuters in London and the South of England. The business generated operating profit of £0.7 million on £10 million revenue as at 31 December 2006.

National Express has also announced the formal launch of National Express dot2dot, its new door-to-door airport transfer service. This follows National Express’ acquisitions of Hotelink and Go Airport Shuttle earlier this year and expands the group’s integrated airport and transport offering.

Group chief executive, Richard Bowker, said: “Its [Kings Ferry] coach services provide a vital service to many commuters in the southeast and this is a market we believe has considerable potential. We look forward to developing these new travel propositions alongside our existing businesses.”