BOSSES at Borders Buses have announced plans to merge with stablemate company Perryman's later this month.

The two firms which are owned by the same parent company, West Coast Motors, will merge from Monday, July 17.

Over the coming months Perryman’s buses will be rebranded in the Borders Buses red and cream livery.

Claire Lark, operations manager at Perryman's, said: “It’s exciting times and we look forward to rebranding the business as Borders Buses.

“The move to merge both brands makes perfect sense and will ensure we are being not just operationally efficient, but making full use of our combined resources too.

"It’s also great news for our customers who can now enjoy the benefits of an extensive bus network and the use of transferable tickets on common routes.”

To coincide with the merger Borders Buses will introduce ten-journey tickets to its range, with four-weekly and annual tickets expected to be added when the company launches its mobile app in September.

Customers will also be able to benefit from transferable tickets on common lines of routes serviced by the merged firms, including service X95 and 73 (between Galashiels and Selkirk only), service X62 and 60/67/68 (between Galashiels and Melrose only), service 71 and 60/67/68 (between Galashiels and Melrose only). Service 61 and 60 (between Galashiels and Earlston only) and service 67 and 60/67/68 (between Galashiels and Earlston/St. Boswells only and Galashiels and Leaderfoot).

Lee Young, operations manager of Borders Buses, told us: “Since March we have worked closely with our colleagues at Perryman’s Buses and look forward to the opportunities the rebranding creates.

“Over the past few months we have engaged with our customers and the communities we serve.

"This move to extend our operating network and tailor our tickets around their travel requirements and I hope demonstrates we are listening and are committed to delivering a first-class bus service in the Borders and beyond.”