Sanders Coaches is a bus and coach operator based in Holt, Norfolk, England.[1] Its managing director is Charles Sanders.[2] As of September 2021, it has approximately 115 employees.[3]
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| Founded | 1 December 1975 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Holt |
| Service area | Norfolk |
| Service type | Bus and coach services |
| Depots | |
| Website | www.sanderscoaches.com |
History
Sanders Coaches was founded on 1 December 1975 by Norman J Sanders, following the retirement of Sanders' employer George Bennett. Sanders took over six vehicles from Bennett's Coaches.[4] Sons Paul and Charles later joined the company.[5]
Initially a coach operator, Sanders was encouraged by the local authority to begin operating local bus services when deregulation occurred in 1986. Its first route ran from Sheringham to Holt.[5]
In 2019, Sanders closed its Fakenham depot, merging its operations with its depot in Holt.[6]
In May 2020, Sanders Coaches was given permission to expand its depot in Holt.[1] In 2024, Sanders bought a former Sheffield Insulations warehouse on Bessemer Road in South Norwich, for use as a new depot.[7]
Routes
Sanders operates the majority of bus services in North Norfolk.[8]
When Stagecoach in Norfolk ceased operations in April 2018, Sanders took over the eastern section of its Coasthopper route, between Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer, which Sanders extended to North Walsham. At Wells, it connects with Lynx's Coastliner which goes to Hunstanton and King's Lynn.[9] In 2021 and 2022, six new MCV Evora-bodied Volvo B8RLEs were bought for the service.[10] Chris Haslam of The Sunday Times named the Coasthopper and Coastliner "the two best buses in Britain."[11][12]
In 2021, the firm introduced the number 8 Holt Hopper service, a local service operating within Holt, funded by section 106 contributions from local housing estates.[2] This route was withdrawn on 2 September 2023, due to low patronage.
Fleet
As of 2023, Sanders has a fleet of 85, a mixture of buses and coaches, a majority of which have Volvo chassis.[13]
In May 2021, the firm purchased a new Plaxton Panther coach.[14] In 2022, the firm increased its fleet of Volvo B8RLE buses to ten.[15]
Sanders also has three Yutong TC9 midi coaches, including the first PSVAR compliant example.[16]