Coach Hire Comparison's major investment in new booking technology

Coach Hire Comparison has launched a new service which generates quotes on behalf of providers following a six-figure investment.

The Accrington-based company, which counts CMAC among its owners, currently connects customers with 250 independent minibus and coach operators across the UK. Its site provides 5,000 quotes a month for events ranging from school outings and stag and hen party trips to corporate bookings, airport transfers and travel to and from music festivals and sporting events.

Until now, its business model has relied on operators submitting quotes manually in response to customer requests.

Following what co-founder James Stokes says is "the biggest single enhancement in the company’s history", Book It Now will automatically generate instant quotes for customers based on over 10 years of Coach Hire Comparison data, with a guarantee that a supplier will be found to meet their requirements.

Time currently spent by operators providing quotes will be freed up for them to focus on running their businesses, and they will be paid upfront in full for each booking completed under the new system, easing cashflow pressures on their companies, said James.

James said operators spend around 24 days a year submitting quotes to Coach Hire Comparison customers, and that their time could be spent more productively on making their businesses stronger, more profitable and more future-proof.

“It equates to each operator spending two days per month providing quotes, with no guarantee of success,” he said. “We see overpricing – sometimes by eye-watering amounts – as well as underquoting, and it can take time to get three average quotes. As a consequence, thousands of customers are left underserved and millions of pounds of potential business is left unlocked.

“Book It Now will accurately and speedily fulfil quote requests, delivering more certainty for suppliers by providing them with genuine, fully-paid bookings, as well saving them time and improving their cashflow.

“It will also mean a faster, seamless experience for customers, and will give them a more realistic view of what the price will be for their journey."

He added: “We believe Book It Now will be transformational for operators, customers and for the industry as a whole. It’s the biggest single enhancement we’ve made in the history of Coach Hire Comparison."

A series of webinars is being held to explain the new Book It Now system to operators. The technology will provide quotes utilising over a decade’s worth of data such as search volumes, conversion rates, pricing trends and consumer behaviours.

The software will be rolled out in phases, with an aim to have 80 per cent of inquiries automatically priced instantly by the end of the year.

Alongside the launch of Book It Now, the company plans for the next 12 months include international expansion. By the second half of 2025, Coach Hire Comparison aims to have a presence in Ireland and Portugal, with Spain and Greece also in the mix.

Photo: Coach Hire Compairson co-founders James and Laura Stokes