Kelsian expands in the education transport sector through the strategic acquisition of Horizons West

Friday 28 October 2022

Key highlights

• Kelsian Group continues its strategic expansion in Western Australia
• Horizons West Bus and Coachlines (“Horizons West”) is one of the WA’s largest and longest operating family-owned bus hire and coach charter companies
• Horizons West’s market leading position in the WA education transport sector will complement Kelsian’s market leading positions in the public transport and resources sector bus markets in WA

Australia’s leading multi-modal transport operator, Kelsian Group, is pleased to announce it will acquire Horizons West Bus and Coachlines (“Horizons West”).

Established in 1985, Horizons West with its highly visible brand is well recognised in the Perth metro area for bus hire and coach charter services provided to the education sector. The Horizons West business specialises in serving schools, universities and Government with approximately 157 employees operating a bus fleet of 138 buses from two depots. Horizons West currently operates 21 contracts for the Government of Western Australia and provides services to a university and more than 400 schools.

Kelsian Group CEO Clint Feuerherdt said Horizons West provides Kelsian with a platform to grow in the large and fragmented education transport market and will complement and enhance Kelsian’s existing WA businesses.

“We are delighted to announce we are acquiring the highly regarded and well-known Horizons West. This transaction is in line with Kelsian’s strategy adding to our growing contracted bus fleet and establishes an excellent platform for additional organic growth in the education transport sector.

Horizons West is highly complementary to our existing operations and provides the Group with the opportunity offer customers an 'Airport to Hotel to Island’ transfer package – demonstrating the depth of our capabilities in delivering world-class customer-centric transport solutions,” he said.

On completion, this acquisition will follow the acquisition of resources-focused transport business Go West Tours in July 2021 and further enhance Kelsian as a diversified leader in Western Australian bus and coach services.

Following the acquisition, Kelsian will operate a portfolio of 1,367 buses and employ 1,982 people in Western Australia through the operating businesses of Swan Transit, Go West and Horizons West. Kelsian’s intention is to continue to work with and focus on maintaining existing levels of service for Horizons West clients, as well as welcoming employees of Horizons West into the Kelsian Group.

In WA, Kelsian also operates the SeaLink Rottnest ferry, Captain Cook Cruises on the Swan River and the Transperth ferry from Elizabeth Quay.

In addition to the acquisition of Horizons West, Kelsian will also purchase two strategically located depots, one in Welshpool and another in Landsdale, which will provide a base for high quality bus maintenance and the ability to efficiently service the Perth metropolitan area.