Tower Transit acquires HCT’s Channel Island operations

Kelsian Group and its UK subsidiary Tower Transit has acquired HCT Group’s LibertyBus operating in Jersey, and CT Plus operating in Guernsey.

The move follows a series of setbacks for HCT, which in August had to abandon running its Yorkshire operations. Later that month, it announced it was divesting itself of TfL contracts to Stagecoach to make up for losses and ended running its Bristol services. In 2020, the operation announced it made losses in 2018/2019.

“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” – Kelsian Group CEO, Clint Feuerherdt

Kelsian Group CEO, Clint Feuerherdt, said its management team in London will oversee the operations. He said: “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.

“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.”

“We are very proud of the work we’ve done in Jersey and Guernsey and we believe that the services there could not be in better hands” – Lynn McClelland, HCT Group Chief Executive

“We are very proud of the work we’ve done in Jersey and Guernsey and we believe that the services there could not be in better hands,” said Lynn McClelland, HCT Group Chief Executive. “Tower Transit and Kelsian are noted for their high-quality services, their international reach and resources and their extensive experience with electrification of bus services and other sustainable technologies, currently high on everybody’s agenda.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the people of both Jersey and Guernsey for the past ten years. We are grateful to the Government of Jersey and States of Guernsey for the spirit of partnership that has characterised our work together. We are certain that we leave behind a strong foundation for the future development of the bus service.”

“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” – Tower Transit UK Managing Director, Samuel Ribeiro

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.”

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

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