WESTERN ACQUISITION -KELSIAN ANNOUNCES ANOTHER BIG WA BUS FLEET PURCHASE

 Kelsian Group, the company formerly known as the SeaLink Group, which includes bus operator Transit Systems,  is continuing its acquisition  of transport operations, announcing it  will acquire Horizons West Bus and Coachlines .

Horizons West, which was established in 1985 has a highly visible brand and 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,” said Feuerherdt.

“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.

The company  said  that on completion, this acquisition, which follows the acquisition of resources-focused transport business Go West Tours in July 2021,  will further enhance Kelsian as a diversified leader in Western Australian bus and coach services.

Following the acquisition, Kelsian said it 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 says its 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