Foot in the Door ?
When the Australian Kelsian Group subsidiary Tower Transit bought Huyton Travel in February 2025, it provided an entrance to the Liverpool City Region bus market ahead of the rollout of franchising on Merseyside.
With the franchising of local bus services in Wales on the horizon, starting with the South West Region from September 2027, is the recent acquisition of Swansea-based South Wales Transport, announced on 31st October, a similar strategic move ? Probably so.
A family owned business established just over 20 years ago, the purchase brings a fleet of 44 vehicles - 4 minibuses & midi-coaches (Fords and Ivecos) , 14 service buses (all Alexander Dennis) and 26 coaches (Volvos, Mercedes Tourismos and Yutongs).
The company's local bus work is split between Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, with commercial and contracted services operated in both counties.
The newest service buses are a pair of Alexander Dennis E20D MMCs acquired in Spring 2024 off-lease from Somerset Passenger Solutions. These are represented by SK68 LZJ, which is seen descending Chapel Road in Three Crosses in July 2025 when operating Service 22 between the village and Swansea City Centre.
Foot in the Door ?
When the Australian Kelsian Group subsidiary Tower Transit bought Huyton Travel in February 2025, it provided an entrance to the Liverpool City Region bus market ahead of the rollout of franchising on Merseyside.
With the franchising of local bus services in Wales on the horizon, starting with the South West Region from September 2027, is the recent acquisition of Swansea-based South Wales Transport, announced on 31st October, a similar strategic move ? Probably so.
A family owned business established just over 20 years ago, the purchase brings a fleet of 44 vehicles - 4 minibuses & midi-coaches (Fords and Ivecos) , 14 service buses (all Alexander Dennis) and 26 coaches (Volvos, Mercedes Tourismos and Yutongs).
The company's local bus work is split between Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, with commercial and contracted services operated in both counties.
The newest service buses are a pair of Alexander Dennis E20D MMCs acquired in Spring 2024 off-lease from Somerset Passenger Solutions. These are represented by SK68 LZJ, which is seen descending Chapel Road in Three Crosses in July 2025 when operating Service 22 between the village and Swansea City Centre.