the ever expanding Transit systems has announced another bus company acquisition with the recent acquisition of Northern Territory bus service, Grand Touring Operations.
Already Australia’s largest multi-modal transport operator, Transit Systems, has announced the expansion of its operations in the top end, adding the 28 buses and five trailers operated by Grand Touring, which has been in business since 2002.
The Grand Touring fleet joins Transit Systems’ fleet of more than 3000 buses, which the company says provided approximately 113 million customer journeys in 2022,
Transit Systems says that Grand Touring Operations will continue its role in servicing the tourism and commercial industries throughout the Territory.
Grand Touring 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 last three months including the company’s first Queensland bus service, North Stradbroke Island Buses as well as WA based Horizons West Bus and Coachlines and Denmark School Services.
Transit Systems CEO, Michael McGee said these latest acquisitions sees 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. The Darwin-based business will also allow for additional expansion into the resources and education sector by leveraging local operational assets. ” McGee said.
Transit Systems and SeaLink Marine and 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.
Chris Millard, general manager NT and Regional Services for Transit Systems, said this is another step forward in the strategy to build the bus transport portfolio in Northern Territory which already transports nearly 850 students over 850km every day across the Katherine region.
“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. 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.”
