Keeping the Wheels Turning: How Fiveways Supports South East Coaches with Full-Service Fleet Maintenance

AT A GLANCE

For passenger transport operators, keeping vehicles safe, reliable and compliant is non-negotiable. For South East Coaches, based in Essex, that challenge has only grown as their business has expanded from a single vehicle in 2011 to a modern fleet of nine, with more on the way.

To keep pace with growing demand and ever-tightening compliance standards, South East Coaches needed more than just a repair shop, they needed a trusted partner. That’s where Fiveways stepped in.

ABOUT SOUTH EAST COACHES

Founded by Graeme Farrington in 2011, South East Coaches has grown steadily to become a highly regarded operator with an earned reputation for quality. Today, the company runs eight executive coaches and one minibus, serving a diverse customer base that ranges from schools and colleges to blue-chip brands, private groups and rail replacement contracts.

Becoming a DVSA Earned Recognition operator reflects their high standards and commitment to compliance. And with Ashley Gamon joining as Operations Manager in recent years, the business has strengthened both operationally and strategically, ready for the next phase of growth.

THE MAINTENANCE CHALLENGE

As the fleet grew, so did the demands of keeping every vehicle compliant and road ready.

• - Facilities struggled to meet new brake testing requirements.
• - Vehicles often had to be taken to multiple providers for different services (e.g., PMIs in one location, brake testing in another).
• - The logistical strain risked downtime and inefficiency.

MAINTENANCE IN ACTION 

Working with Fiveways has transformed South East Coaches’ maintenance programme:

• - Preventative Maintenance Inspections: High-level checks spot issues before they become serious. “Prevention is better than cure,” Graeme explains, noting how proactive inspections reduce breakdowns and downtime.
• - Brake Roller Testing: Now carried out at every PMI, these tests have caught issues early, such as hidden brake inefficiencies, that could otherwise have become dangerous and costly.
• - MOTs and Tacho Calibrations: Fiveways handles preparation, testing, and paperwork, giving South East Coaches a 100% MOT pass rate since moving providers.
• - Defect Repairs: From frayed belts to faulty callipers, same-day fixes have kept coaches on the road and customers happy.

REAL IMPACT ON OPERATIONS

• - Reduced downtime: Faster turnaround and proactive checks keep vehicles available for hire.
• - Improved scheduling confidence: Knowing when vehicles will be road-ready helps meet customer commitments.
• - Operational efficiency: Office teams save countless hours by consolidating services with one provider.
• - Reliability and safety: Customers benefit from well-maintained vehicles, reinforcing Southeast Coaches’ reputation for quality.

LOOKING AHEAD

South East Coaches plans to continue growing its fleet while maintaining its reputation for reliability and compliance. With Fiveways as a trusted maintenance partner.