Coach Hire Comparison's major investment in new booking technology

By Tim Aldred

13 Sep 2024

Coach Hire Comparison

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

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Double delight for Vincents two newest solicitors Beth Laws and Yasmine Dragan at Vincents Solicitors’ office in Winckley Square Preston

Double delight for Vincents two newest solicitors

14 Feb 2025

2

Bowker Motor Group celebrates record number of apprentices in 40 year history Bowker Preston BMW Apprentices.png.png

Bowker Motor Group celebrates record number of apprentices in 40 year history

13 Feb 2025

3

FWP transforms Health-Based Places of Safety for NHS trust One of the Tameside suites

FWP transforms Health-Based Places of Safety for NHS trust

13 Feb 2025

4

Pleasure Beach partners with industry giant Coca-Cola Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Pleasure Beach partners with industry giant Coca-Cola

13 Feb 2025

5

Prestigious honour given to Mark Birchall at Michelin Guide Awards Mark Birchall Courtesy Michelin

Prestigious honour given to Mark Birchall at Michelin Guide Awards

12 Feb 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams: A Path to Success
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
14 Feb 2025 - 14 Feb 2025

Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams: A Path to Success

*, Online, *

12:30 - 13:30

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200atkinsons 1
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Celebration - Business Breakfast Showcase
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Feb 2025 - 14 Jan 2025

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Celebration - Business Breakfast Showcase

Media Factory , Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 10:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-3.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces

*, Online, *

12:30 - 13:30

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
RKMS ACADEMY LOGO - BLACK AND ORANGE.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February
Freelancer Meet-Up Feb.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women's Health champion training
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-6.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Women's Health champion training

*, Online, *

10:00 - 16:00

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire
PM and M event
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

08:00 - 10:00

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston
Kickstart Crazy Golf.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston

Level, Preston, PR1 1HT

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin