Kelsian Group has been awarded new bus service contracts in the United Kingdom, marking another step in the company’s continued expansion in regulated public transport markets.
The contracts, awarded to Kelsian’s UK subsidiary Huyton Travel Limited, form part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s (LCRCA) Bus Franchising Tranche 1 program and will see the company operate and maintain 73 buses from two leased depot facilities.
The agreement includes an initial five-year term commencing in January 2027, with an option to extend for a further two years. Over the life of the contract, the operations are expected to generate approximately $80 million in revenue.
Investment to support operations
To deliver the new services, Kelsian will make a capital investment of around $8 million, with part of that expenditure scheduled for the 2026 financial year and the balance in 2027.
The company said securing the contracts reflects the strength of its operating model in regulated bus markets and the capability of its UK management team.
Kelsian UK Managing Director Samuel Ribeiro said the award demonstrated confidence in the organisation’s ability to deliver reliable public transport services.
“We are pleased to have been awarded these contracts in Liverpool, which reflect the confidence in our ability to deliver reliable and safe transport solutions,” Ribeiro said.
He added that the company looked forward to working closely with the LCRCA to provide a high-quality service for communities across the Liverpool City Region.
Growth opportunities in franchised bus markets
The Liverpool bus franchising program is part of a broader structural shift in the UK’s regional bus market, with more than 10,000 buses expected to be competitively franchised over the next five years.
Further opportunities are also expected, with additional franchise tenders involving approximately 500 vehicles anticipated to be released later in 2026.
Kelsian has indicated it intends to participate in future bidding processes, leveraging its international transport experience and growing UK operating platform.
Global transport footprint
Kelsian operates public transport services across Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United States and the Channel Islands. As of December 2025, the company employed more than 12,900 people and operated over 6,100 buses and 126 vessels, delivering more than 384 million passenger journeys annually.
The latest contract win reinforces the company’s presence in franchised transport markets and highlights the increasing role of competitive tendering models in shaping public transport services internationally.
