The first 15 years
of Xelabus ....
Xelabus was founded in November 2010, operating from Eastleigh in Hampshire, its first service was a free route between Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford, quickly followed by additional local services to supermarkets like Asda and Tesco. The early fleet consisted of just seven vehicles, but the company grew steadily through local contracts and college routes. In March 2011, Xelabus suffered a major setback when a fire at its depot destroyed three vehicles and damaged others — the fire was believed to be deliberate. Despite this, by 2012 the operator had secured a two-year contract with Totton College, marking its growing presence in the education transport sector.
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Between 2014 and 2015, Xelabus expanded rapidly through contract wins and acquisitions. In May 2014, it took over the rural route 67 from Winchester to Petersfield under contract with Hampshire County Council, after it was dropped by rival Velvet. In June that year, Xelabus also assumed operation of Barton Peveril College services from Velvet. When Velvet and Brijan Tours both went into administration in 2015, Xelabus acquired their school and public service routes, expanding its coverage in Eastleigh, Fareham, and the surrounding areas. This period saw an increase in fleet investment, including purchases of ADL Enviro200 and later double-deck Wright Gemini Volvo B5LH buses to meet the demands of college contracts and other services.
In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Xelabus modernised and solidified its operations. By 2019, the fleet had grown to around 40 vehicles, and on 4 November that year, the company introduced contactless payments across its buses. However, in March 2020, Xelabus was forced to suspend all services due to the pandemic. Services gradually resumed from June 2020, and later that year, the company was awarded a contract to operate the University of Southampton's X21 route to the Chilworth Science Park. This service stood out for using non-Uni-link branded, high-spec vehicles featuring leather seats and free WiFi. These contracts helped Xelabus stay afloat through a turbulent period for the industry.
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Xelabus continued to grow under its parent company, Xela Group, through strategic acquisitions. In May 2022, it purchased Seaview Services, a coach operator on the Isle of Wight, expanding its coach division. Just three months later, Xela Group acquired the Yellow Coaches brand in Bournemouth after the collapse of Yellow Buses, reintroducing services to the town under the new branding. However, not all developments were positive: five Hampshire routes were withdrawn in August 2022 due to rising costs and low ridership. In 2023 and 2024, Xelabus continued to reduce its public bus network, exiting services such as the X11 and X12 routes in October 2024 and shifting focus toward contract and private hire work. The company also moved to a new depot in Eastleigh in August 2024, leaving its Barton Park base after 12 years.
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In 2025, Xelabus marked its 15th anniversary with both celebration and reflection. The company launched a “15 Charity Appeal,” donating £500 each to 15 local charities and held a depot open day in May 2025, featuring vintage buses and local stalls. As of late 2025, Xelabus operates a mixed fleet including high-capacity, PSVAR-compliant double-decker Enviro400s for college and rail-replacement work. It remains a significant independent operator in Hampshire, known for providing socially necessary routes that complement the larger commercial networks. Though it has scaled back public bus services, Xelabus continues to play a vital role in regional transport through its college, coach, and contracted operations, with a reputation for community involvement and modernisation.
Xelabus continues to lead the way in Bus & Coach transport for Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.