Starting Friday, May 30, two additional National Express coach routes, the 444 and 445, will begin serving Cheltenham’s Arle Court Transport Hub, significantly improving travel convenience and comfort for passengers. Previously stopping on the A40 near the Arle Court roundabout, these services will now relocate to the integrated transport hub, better connecting travelers to Hereford, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Heathrow Airport, and London.
Operated in partnership with Bennetts Coaches and Yeomans Travel, these coaches will continue to serve Cheltenham’s Royal Well bus station in the town centre, ensuring seamless access for town residents. With this relocation, more than 260 National Express journeys will stop weekly at Arle Court, reinforcing its status as a key regional transport interchange since National Express expanded services there in December 2024.
Ed Rickard, National Express’s network director, highlighted the customer benefits: “Relocating the 444 and 445 stops to Arle Court Transport Hub enhances convenience and comfort, offering passengers improved public transport connections and facilities for onward travel.”
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Supporting this view, Colin Chick, Gloucestershire County Council’s executive director of economy, environment, and infrastructure, added: “This move is fantastic news. Arle Court hub provides vital links to major UK cities, offering more travel choices and affordability. It also supports reducing traffic congestion and pollution in Cheltenham’s town centre, aligning with our sustainability goals.”
Owned and managed by Gloucestershire County Council, the Arle Court hub opened in July 2024 and features nearly 1,000 car parking spaces, a multi-storey car park, and 104 electric vehicle charging points—including four super-fast chargers. Passengers benefit from modern amenities such as indoor and outdoor waiting areas, real-time information screens, a customer service desk, toilets including a Changing Places facility, and improved active travel and park-and-ride access.
This development marks a significant step towards faster, greener, and more accessible public transport in Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire region.