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

Roundhouse submits plans for new £15 million office for 'super' Momentum scheme in Preston Roundhouse Properties plan for Bamber Bridge

Roundhouse submits plans for new £15 million office for 'super' Momentum scheme in Preston

20 Jan 2025

2

REVEALED: Finalists for the Red Rose Awards 2025 Red Rose Awards

REVEALED: Finalists for the Red Rose Awards 2025

20 Jan 2025

3

EY appoints new North Market Leader and Manchester office managing partner Hilary Heap

EY appoints new North Market Leader and Manchester office managing partner

17 Jan 2025

4

Nelson and Colne College Group’s IT Leader wins prestigious national award Stewart Cunliffe

Nelson and Colne College Group’s IT Leader wins prestigious national award

16 Jan 2025

5

UVS marks 50,000 hours of 24/7 video wall operation at co-ordination centre Steve Murphy

UVS marks 50,000 hours of 24/7 video wall operation at co-ordination centre

15 Jan 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
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

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

North West Holiday Home Show
PLG - NWHHS - Social - Jan 2024.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
18 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025

North West Holiday Home Show

South Lakeland House Showground, Yealand Redmayne, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 14:58

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day
Freelancer Meet-Up Jan general.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR7 1PS

18:00 - 20:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

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