Coach Driver Jobs Southampton: Excelsior Hiring 25 Drivers
Coach driver jobs in Southampton, Poole and Bournemouth: Excelsior is recruiting about 25 drivers for its FlixBus expansion, with full training provided.
UKIn brief
- Excelsior is recruiting around 25 drivers across Southampton, Bournemouth and Poole as its FlixBus operation grows.
- Nine new coaches join the network in 2027, taking Excelsior's FlixBus fleet to 14 vehicles.
- Excelsior's coach driver vacancy pays £15.17 an hour and needs only a full, clean car driving licence, because PCV training is provided.
- Applications are made through the online form on Excelsior's own vacancies page.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | Excelsior Coaches (Go South Coast) |
| Official source | Daily Echo – New jobs in Southampton as FlixBus expands network ✓ dailyecho.co.uk |
Coach driver jobs in Southampton, Poole and Bournemouth are opening up: Excelsior, the Dorset operator that runs FlixBus services on the South Coast, is recruiting around 25 drivers as nine new coaches join its network in 2027. You do not need a coach licence to apply, because the company trains new drivers, and its official advert gives pay of £15.17 an hour. Applications go through Excelsior's own website.
Why is Excelsior hiring?
The Daily Echo reports that Excelsior's partnership with FlixBus is being extended again. Nine new coaches arrive next year, bringing the FlixBus-branded fleet it runs to 14. Extra services are planned between Southampton, Poole, Bournemouth, Heathrow and London.
Excelsior's commercial director, David Lee-Kong, said the growth will bring jobs to both Poole and Southampton, with new drivers joining over the coming months. Trade title Bus-News adds that Excelsior belongs to the Go-Ahead Group and first teamed up with FlixBus in May 2025.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Excelsior Coaches, part of Go South Coast (Go-Ahead Group) |
| Jobs | Around 25 drivers |
| Locations | Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole |
| Pay in official advert | £15.17 per hour |
| Licence needed to apply | Full, clean car driving licence |
| Training | Full PCV training provided |
| Contracts advertised | 40, 30 and 20 hours a week, plus casual |
| New coaches in 2027 | 9 (fleet of 14) |
What does the official vacancy say?
Excelsior's Coach Drivers vacancy confirms the main points. The company offers 40-hour, 30-hour and 20-hour contracts as well as casual ad-hoc work, so part-time applicants are welcome. PCV stands for passenger carrying vehicle, the licence category needed for coaches, and Excelsior says it trains people who do not hold one.
Benefits named in the advert are free travel and discounts at major retailers. The company wants drivers who look smart, turn up reliably, are flexible and communicate well with passengers. The advert describes drivers as ambassadors for the business.
The page does not say which depot each job is based at, and it gives no closing date. Ask about the base, routes and shift patterns when the recruiter contacts you.
How to apply — step by step
- Open the official advert. Go to the Coach Drivers vacancy on excelsior-coaches.com.
- Click "Apply here". This opens the company's online application form.
- Fill in the form carefully. Have your driving licence details, contact information and recent work history to hand.
- State the contract you want. Say whether you are after 40, 30 or 20 hours or casual work, and which area suits you: Southampton, Poole or Bournemouth.
- Wait for a reply. Excelsior's related bus driver adverts say applicants are contacted within two working days of applying online. The coach advert names Paul Knight as the contact.
- Training follows an offer. If you have no PCV licence, the company arranges the training. Ask how long it lasts and what you are paid while training, as the advert does not give those details.
The Daily Echo also points readers to the website of Bluestar, Excelsior's sister bus company in Southampton, for more information.
Do I need an agency?
No. Excelsior hires directly, and its application form is free to complete. Nobody should charge you for an application, an interview or a place on a training course linked to this job. If a third party asks for money to "secure" a driving job, walk away.
Tips that improve your chances
- Check your licence first. The advert asks for a full, clean car licence, so penalty points may be an issue. Be upfront about them.
- Highlight customer service. Coach passengers include airport travellers and day-trippers, so mention any work where you looked after the public.
- Show reliability. Early starts and timed departures matter in coaching. A steady attendance record or shift-work history helps.
- Be flexible on hours. Candidates open to weekends and varied shifts are easier to place.
- Common mistake: assuming training makes the job a formality. You still have to pass the licence tests, so ask what support is given.
What it means for job seekers
- This is a paid route into professional driving for people with only a car licence.
- Hiring is spread over the coming months, so there is time to apply, but earlier applicants get earlier training places.
- The adverts do not mention visa sponsorship; assume you need the right to work in the UK.
- An application does not guarantee a job. A clean licence and a solid work record are what count most.
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Frequently asked questions
How many coach drivers is Excelsior hiring?
The company is recruiting around 25 drivers across Southampton, Bournemouth and Poole, according to the Daily Echo and Bus-News.
Do I need a PCV licence to apply for Excelsior coach driver jobs?
No. Excelsior's vacancy page says full training is provided and that a full, clean car driving licence is all you need to apply.
What is the pay for Excelsior coach drivers?
Excelsior's official coach driver advert gives a rate of £15.17 per hour, plus benefits such as free travel and retailer discounts.
How do I apply for coach driver jobs with Excelsior?
Open the Coach Drivers vacancy on excelsior-coaches.com and use the 'Apply here' button, which leads to the company's online application form.
Apply only on the official site.
Never pay anyone for a job, interview or visa.
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