Queensland operator Southern Cross Transit, run by the famous Oliveri family, has announced the acquisition of a new school bus operation.
Southern Cross Transit has acquired Faith Lutheran College’s school bus operation in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane.
Advised by McInnes Wilson, the acquisition allows SCT to continue growing as a passenger transport operator in the state.
The business was bought by the Oliveri family in August 2002 to run school and chartered bus services in the greater Brisbane region with a 52-bus fleet. Run by Frank and his wife Mel, the operation allowed the Oliveri family to celebrate its 70th year of transporting people late last year.
SCT is now one of the state’s largest passenger transport businesses, with a fleet of 65 buses and coaches servicing the school and charter sector in south east Queensland, while it’s also contracted by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads alongside multiple private schools to deliver school runs in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.
On July 15, SCT took over service delivery of all school runs for Faith, including its fleet of 14 buses and dedicated transport staff.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine
Chris Davis, Nick Wilson and Oskar Waddington in McInnes Wilson’s corporate and commercial advisory team advised Southern Cross Transit on all aspects relating to the acquisition of Faith’s school bus operation.
“Providing modern, safe, affordable and cost-effective bus services is extremely challenging in today’s hyper-connected society. Since day one back in 1954, the Oliveri family has attributed its success and sustainability to partnering with professional advisers who understand the intricacies of public transport service delivery, and how we, as a delivery partner, meet and exceeded all compliance and expectations of our governments and local communities,” SCT managing director Frank Oliveri says.
“The team at McInnes Wilson has a sound knowledge of public transport, the law and importantly, the community and political nuances, and since engaging with them many years ago they have provided us with a solid foundation to grow our business here in Queensland.
“Without question, partnering with McInnes Wilson is one of the best decisions we have made in our 70 years of moving people.”
Faith Lutheran College is a leading independent secondary school and one of the largest employers in the Lockyer Valley region from its base at Plainland.
Since its inception, Faith conducted its own dedicated school bus operation for students residing in Ipswich and throughout the Lockyer Valley region, until a decision was made to outsource service delivery.
“Since 2021, I have had the privilege of acting for the Oliveri family and Southern Cross Transit, who are one of Australia’s longest standing bus families,” senior associate Nick Wilson says.
“Well done to Frank, sister Carmel and the team at Southern Cross on this strategic acquisition and the expansion of their business into the Lockyer Valley.”
Read more:
- Oliveri family celebrates 70 years of moving people
- Western suburbs in Melbourne score major transport boost
- Victorian veteran to exit bus industry following storied career
- WA government slashes bus fares with $152 million investment
- Major bus reforms coming for the NT
