FirstGroup plc has announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase Ensign Bus Company Limited. 

The acquisition of the Essex business is expected to be completed within the next few months, subject to routine regulatory review. Ensignbus is a bus and coach operator and bus dealer based in Purfleet, Essex, UK. Ensignbus’ commercial bus operations comprise two B2B segments that include rail replacement and private hire contract operations and a local bus route network complementary to First Bus’s operations in Essex. Ensignbus has a young vehicle fleet of 55 buses and a vehicle refurbishment and re-sale business.

The acquisition of Ensignbus will enhance FirstGroup's existing local commercial bus operations in Essex, as well as provide a range of growth opportunities in the B2B and dealer bus vehicle markets. The acquisition will also benefit First Bus and the UK bus industry as the oldest and most polluting diesel buses are being phased out.