The company expanded outside London, into Essex (1913), Bedfordshire (1919), Gloucestershire (1919), Somerset (1920), Dorset (1921), and Devon & Cornwall (1927).

From then on Southern National was run as a Tilling company, although the railway retained its shares until 1948.

On 1 January 1948, the Southern Railway was nationalised, and shortly after, the Tilling Group sold its bus interests to the government.

Southern National therefore became a state-owned company, under the control of the British Transport Commission.

Whilst the name and brand were entirely new, the livery is reminiscent of Southern National utilising two tones of green and cream.

In celebration of the news, one of the original Southern National buses has been restored by JJP Holdings, bringing it back to its former glory.