Channel Islands Bus Acquisition Unlocks Growth Potential for Kelsian Group

Friday 16 September 2022

Key highlights

• Kelsian Group continues strategic expansion with Channel Island market entry
• Jersey’s LibertyBus and CT Plus operating in Guernsey offer contracted revenues in line with Group strategy

London / Adelaide, 16 September 2022 Kelsian Group and its UK subsidiary Tower Transit are pleased to announce the acquisition of two bus businesses in the Channel Islands. The Group has acquired LibertyBus operating in Jersey, and CT Plus operating in Guernsey, signifying a new chapter of growth and potential for the suite of companies, Kelsian and Tower Transit in the UK and the Channel Islands.

Kelsian Group CEO Clint Feuerherdt said its highly experienced management team in London will oversee the operations, remaining focussed on delivering essential and sustainable journeys.

“We are delighted to take the reins of both LibertyBus in Jersey and CT Plus in Guernsey. Kelsian’s legacy is supporting island communities and economies and we are excited to serve the Channel Islands and their tourists to provide safe and reliable services.

“From a Group perspective, these acquisitions are on strategy and add to the Group’s growing contracted international bus fleet and global network of transport and tourism professionals at Kelsian Group,” he said.

Mr Feuerherdt said they are looking forward to exploring further opportunities for international growth for the Group, which includes SeaLink Marine & Tourism, Transit Systems and Tower Transit.

“Island operations underpin Kelsian’s history of performance and success, and when we combine that with the global public transport knowledge from Transit Systems – it demonstrates the power of our capabilities in delivering world-class transport solutions,” he said.

The Group operates Australia’s largest fleet of zero emission buses, including electric buses and the country’s first hydrogen buses.

Tower Transit UK Managing Director Samuel Ribeiro said: “Kelsian announced to the market in June that it was repositioning its UK operations to optimise its growth ambitions in the UK and Europe. This acquisition is consistent with that mandate and reflects the Group’s approach to sustainable and contracted revenue growth in strategic jurisdictions. As a combined Group, we were resilient with thanks to our essential public transport contracts – what we are now is excited about the growth opportunities across the UK and European markets.

“Kelsian and Tower Transit are experienced public transport operators and are confident of managing a smooth ownership transition that won’t impact customers. As a global leader in bus and specifically island community transport, we’re confident this will be managed without any disruption to services and that there are no plans to change routes, tickets or branding. Kelsian and Tower Transit’s aim is to maintain the existing teams in place with their extensive local experience and track record of success,” he said.

Through its London bus joint venture, Kelsian employs more than 4,000 people operating 1,250 buses in London, including 300 electric vehicles.