Merseyside SME operator Huyton Travel has been bought by Kelsian Group subsidiary Tower Transit. The deal brings over 30 buses and gives the buyer an entrance to the Liverpool City Region bus market ahead of the rollout of franchising there.
Huyton Travel was founded in 1985 by John Yates Sr and delivers what Tower Transit says are “tailored transport solutions in the Merseyside region.”
It has invested heavily in modern Euro VI vehicles over recent years via a focus on what the buyer adds are core values of quality, reliability and customer satisfaction. The business is now led by John and Paul Yates, who will continue to support operations going forward.
Tower Transit Managing Director Samuel Ribeiro says: “We are thrilled to welcome Huyton Travel to our group, a company that has been a cornerstone of public transport in the Liverpool City Region for 40 years.
“We believe that combining Huyton’s extensive local expertise and established reputation with Tower Transit’s international track record and experience in bus franchising will create a strong foundation for success amid the ongoing bus reforms planned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.”
The purchase additionally establishes a strategic partnership between Tower Transit and Abacus UK Training. It will remain part of the Huyton depot and continue to train PCV drivers, thus playing a key role in what the buyer says is developing the future Huyton Travel driver workforce.
Speaking about the sale, Huyton Travel Managing Director John Yates says: “We are pleased to have found in Tower Transit and Kelsian Group a company that shares the same family-owned principles upon which Huyton Travel was built. We are confident that together, we can strengthen Huyton’s future, particularly in the upcoming bus franchising process.
“This partnership will also provide long-tern success and stability for our incredible management team, drivers and engineers, enabling them to continue delivering high-quality services across Merseyside and beyond.”
Mr Ribeiro adds that Tower Transit will maintain existing teams at the business and that a smooth transition is the priority.
He notes that Tower Transit and Kelsian have extensive experience in buses across multiple continents and that its strengths in a regulated environment are illustrated by the award in 2024 of a 10-year franchise contract for bus services in Jersey.
