It’s four acquisitions in four months for Transit Systems as the operator expands its services in the top end
Australian bus and coach transport operator Transit Systems says it’s expanding its Northern Territory operations with the recent acquisition of NT service Grand Touring Operations.
Grand Touring Operations will continue its role of servicing the tourism and commercial industries in the top end while joining Transit Systems’ fleet of more than 30000 buses.
Established in 2002, Grand Touring features 28 buses and five trailers and has provided coach and charter services, including all arrival and departure transport in Darwin for passengers and crew off the Ghan, as well as tours across the top end and Kimberley region.
This expansion follows three recent acquisitions for Transit Systems in the past three months, including North Stradbroke Island Buses and Horizons West Bus and Coachlines and Denmark School Services, both in WA.
Transit Systems CEO Michael McGee says these latest acquisitions see Transit Systems expand expertise beyond urban public transport contracts into education, resources and tourism.
“The Darwin-based operation will play a pivotal role in supporting Kelsian Group’s Marine and Tourism Division, SeaLink NT, by offering invaluable land transport solutions for tourism packages and experiences,” McGee says.
“The Darwin-based business will also allow for additional expansion into the resources and education sector by leveraging local operational assets.”
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Transit Systems and SeaLink Marine & Tourism are both part of Kelsian Group, operating locally as Territory Transit and SeaLink NT respectively. SeaLink NT operates ferry services from Cullen Bay, Darwin to Mandorah and the Tiwi Islands, as well as sightseeing cruises and tours in the region.
Transit Systems general manager of NT and regional services Chris Millard says the acquisition is another step forward in the company’s strategy to build its bus transport portfolio in Northern Territory, which already transports nearly 850 students over 850 kilometres every day across the Katherine region.
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“We are immensely proud that Transit Systems will now be servicing not only school students in the Northern Territory but also customers who are visiting our region as tourists,” Millard says.
“We will be working closely with SeaLink NT in creating packages that will amplify their top end experiences.
“We will also continue to work on building our operations, as well as engaging local communities and promoting local employment opportunities.”