South Wales Transport Sold To Tower Transit

[DesDobramento]

Announcement in ROUTE ONE magazine today.

 

[stadler]

Announcement in ROUTE ONE magazine today.

That is very surprising to hear. Firstly i am surprised that a large international company is interested in a small independent bus operator and secondly i am surprised that they are returning after selling off their operations. Tower Transit used to run buses in London but sold that off to RATP (which has since sold First again) and Stagecoach years ago. They also ran Whippet in Cambridgeshire but sold that to Ascendal years ago. So it is a surprise that they want to return to the UK again.

 

[duncombec]

From https://www.route-one.net/news/tower-transit-grows-reach-with-purchase-of-south-wales-transport/, which may answer some of @stadler's questions....

Tower Transit grows reach with purchase of South Wales Transport​

Buyer signals interest in bus franchising in Wales as deal for Swansea independent is confirmed
​

Tower Transit has completed the purchase of Swansea coach and bus operator South Wales Transport in a deal that the Kelsian Group subsidiary says underlines its ambition to cement a wider UK reach ahead of further franchising rollout.

The sale combines South Wales Transport’s knowledge of local bus markets in the Swansea area with Tower Transit and Kelsian’s expertise in regulated landscapes. Under a bus reform roadmap published by Transport for Wales in March, South West Wales is slated to be the first part of the principality to see franchising, in 2027.

Managing Director David Fowles will remain with South Wales Transport to lead the business under the new ownership. It was founded by his father Bev.

Tower Transit notes how leadership at South Wales Transport “elected to partner with a buyer that could maximise the business’s future potential – extending beyond traditional contracted services and into the evolving landscape of franchised bus operations.”

Mr Fowles Jr says that the sale offers continuity and growth. “It was important to us to find a partner that shares our values and our commitment to the people of Swansea. With Tower Transit, we know our workforce and customers are in safe hands, and the business has every opportunity to flourish in a changing market.”

The green and white brand and wider local management team will be retained under new ownership. 47 vehicles transfer with the deal.

Tower Transit says it will leverage its global best practice in bus franchising, operational systems, driver training and maintenance regimes and provide enhanced career development opportunities employees. It also plans to invest in infrastructure and fleet.

Notably, the purchaser has become what is thought to be the first operating group not previously active in Wales to signal its interest in bidding for bus franchising contracts there. South Wales Transport will now be positioned “to take advantage of forthcoming regional bus reforms and franchising opportunities in Wales.”

Speaking about the purchase, Tower Transit Managing Director Samuel Ribeiro says: “We are delighted to welcome South Wales Transport under the Tower Transit umbrella.

“The team’s deep local knowledge, strong brand and decades of service in the area provide a strong foundation. When combined with our Kelsian-backed expertise in large-scale franchised and regulated bus operations around the world, we are confident that we will deliver enhanced services for passengers and a bright future for the business.”

Entry to the South Wales bus market by Tower Transit follows a similar move in the Liverpool City Region earlier in 2025, where it purchased independent Huyton Travel ahead of franchising rollout.

 

[stadler]

From https://www.route-one.net/news/tower-transit-grows-reach-with-purchase-of-south-wales-transport/, which may answer some of @stadler's questions....

Ah thank you. I forgot about the Huyton Travel purchase earlier this year. I guess it provides them a depot and easier access to the franchising than starting from scratch. But you have to wonder why they are interested in franchising again after selling their London operations which were the same style of franchising. Why would London not be attractive to them but other areas are.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

Ah thank you. I forgot about the Huyton Travel purchase earlier this year. I guess it provides them a depot and easier access to the franchising than starting from scratch. But you have to wonder why they are interested in franchising again after selling their London operations which were the same style of franchising. Why would London not be attractive to them but other areas are.

London franchising works differently to that being favoured elsewhere in the country. London does route franchising with some pretty tight margins and fairly restricted inflationary increases, ignoring the performance bonuses/penalties, which means that most if not all contracts are loss making by the end of their term. It is well known that the only way to make money in London is through continually winning sufficient volume of new work to produce enough profit to offset the older contracts sliding into loss which mitigates around smaller businesses and means an operator only needs a relatively short period of difficulty to start slipping into some pretty heavy losses. I don't think this form of franchising is that common elsewhere in the world.

Most upcoming franchise schemes, not sure about Wales but Manchester has been done this way as is Merseyside and West Yorkshire from their announced plans, appear to be much closer to those done on the continent (and elsewhere in the world like Singapore & Australia) which is network franchising largely based on a full depot. This is more familiar to overseas businesses like Kelsian, comes with an expectation of a more reasonable approach to contractual relations and cost increases and offers a easier step to viable volume business.

 

[Jim James]

Proposed South West Wales Network

Major changes proposed to bus network ahead of 2027 reforms - Swansea Bay News

Major changes to the bus network in South West Wales have been proposed ahead of a new franchising model launching in 2027.

swanseabaynews.com

 

[mangad]

Tower Transit also run LibertyBus in Jersey - like Metroline, they're clearly happier with a certain model of operating.

 

[Dai Corner]

I find it somewhat ironic that Scottish based First, Australian owned SWT and Singapore owned Adventure Travel will likely be the main bidders for franchises in Wales. No doubt German owned Stagecoach and American owned Arriva will too as further areas are franchised.

 

[anthony263]

I find it somewhat ironic that Scottish based First, Australian owned SWT and Singapore owned Adventure Travel will likely be the main bidders for franchises in Wales. No doubt German owned Stagecoach and American owned Arriva will too as further areas are franchised.

I Think cardiff valleys will be a battle between stagecoach and adventure to be honest although i wouldnt count cardiff bus out of the question as theyve previously operated into caerphilly etc.

Franchising supposed to start in west wales from september 2027 i think thw next 12-18 months will be quite interesting

 

[stadler]

I Think cardiff valleys will be a battle between stagecoach and adventure to be honest although i wouldnt count cardiff bus out of the question as theyve previously operated into caerphilly etc.

Franchising supposed to start in west wales from september 2027 i think thw next 12-18 months will be quite interesting

Any idea what is happening with the five Welsh municipal operators when franchising happens?

Wales currently has five municipal operators:

Cardiff Bus
Newport Bus
Denbighshire County Council
Pembrokeshire County Council
Caerphilly County Borough Council

Are these operators routes also getting tendered or are they leaving these how they are?

If they are getting tendered then i imagine that the large busy Cardiff and Newport networks could be the ones that Tower Transit are looking to bid for?

 

[anthony263]

Any idea what is happening with the five Welsh municipal operators when franchising happens?

Wales currently has five municipal operators:

Cardiff Bus
Newport Bus
Denbighshire County Council
Pembrokeshire County Council
Caerphilly County Borough Council

Are these operators routes also getting tendered or are they leaving these how they are?

If they are getting tendered then i imagine that the large busy Cardiff and Newport networks could be the ones that Tower Transit are looking to bid for?

Theyll bid for routes like any other firms including thos out of cardiff into surrpundjng areas like the VOG or say the 86X heath hospital to caerphilly.

 

[Anonymous10]

Any idea what is happening with the five Welsh municipal operators when franchising happens?

Wales currently has five municipal operators:

Cardiff Bus
Newport Bus
Denbighshire County Council
Pembrokeshire County Council
Caerphilly County Borough Council

Are these operators routes also getting tendered or are they leaving these how they are?

If they are getting tendered then i imagine that the large busy Cardiff and Newport networks could be the ones that Tower Transit are looking to bid for?

I Cant see alot changing with pembrokeshire county council (PCC). Whilst services are funded by them theyre operated by first (this may change but funding may well stay). Then you have flexi bus - an essential link in this rural community which is provided by TFW with PCC. The only fully PCC routes are the haverfordwest - burton, haverfordwest - merlins bridge, haverfordwest - broad haven, milford tosn circular and a few others. Many of those only run once or twice per day making me suspect a local mini-bus firm may bid for these or they will continue to be run by PCC.

 

[markymark2000]

I Cant see alot changing with pembrokeshire county council (PCC). Whilst services are funded by them theyre operated by first (this may change but funding may well stay). Then you have flexi bus - an essential link in this rural community which is provided by TFW with PCC. The only fully PCC routes are the haverfordwest - burton, haverfordwest - merlins bridge, haverfordwest - broad haven, milford tosn circular and a few others. Many of those only run once or twice per day making me suspect a local mini-bus firm may bid for these or they will continue to be run by PCC.

The only things that may change in Pembrokeshire is that TFW won't permit First to re-route buses and screw over passengers because they want tenders to suits their operational needs. Nononsensical rubbish like buses in Haverfordwest leaving the bus station, going up to the First depot, before coming back down and into town. Upto 18 minutes faffing around, only to end up 300 metres from where you started.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The only things that may change in Pembrokeshire is that TFW won't permit First to re-route buses and screw over passengers because they want tenders to suits their operational needs. Nononsensical rubbish like buses in Haverfordwest leaving the bus station, going up to the First depot, before coming back down and into town. Upto 18 minutes faffing around, only to end up 300 metres from where you started.

They'll still spend 10-12 mins faffing around to serve the hospital

 

[Dai Corner]

The only things that may change in Pembrokeshire is that TFW won't permit First to re-route buses and screw over passengers because they want tenders to suits their operational needs. Nononsensical rubbish like buses in Haverfordwest leaving the bus station, going up to the First depot, before coming back down and into town. Upto 18 minutes faffing around, only to end up 300 metres from where you started.

They'll still spend 10-12 mins faffing around to serve the hospital

If those increase costs they'll be passed on to the taxpayer, of course. I'd be surprised if there's much competition for rural franchises to keep bids low.

 

[markymark2000]

They'll still spend 10-12 mins faffing around to serve the hospital

T11 manages Bus station > Hospital > Picton Place in 9 minutes, so a 9 minute time saving based on Firsts 302. That's not something to be sniffed at! Or, if the hospital is a 'must serve' on all trips, put some logical routing in, and put the hospital first, then the bus station, then into town.

If those increase costs they'll be passed on to the taxpayer, of course. I'd be surprised if there's much competition for rural franchises to keep bids low.

One could argue that having passengers take a 14 minute detour for operational convenience would put people off using the bus, and as such cost the taxpayers more due to reduced patronage, and longer term cost everyone due to the increased congestion.

 

[Anonymous10]

The only things that may change in Pembrokeshire is that TFW won't permit First to re-route buses and screw over passengers because they want tenders to suits their operational needs. Nononsensical rubbish like buses in Haverfordwest leaving the bus station, going up to the First depot, before coming back down and into town. Upto 18 minutes faffing around, only to end up 300 metres from where you started.

TO be honest the linking up to the industrial estate and thus the hospital isnt bad in principle, its the execution, even better if they link in the train station.

 

[Dai Corner]

One could argue that having passengers take a 14 minute detour for operational convenience would put people off using the bus, and as such cost the taxpayers more due to reduced patronage, and longer term cost everyone due to the increased congestion.

It could equally be argued that hardly anyone uses rural buses unless they have no other option and journey times don't affect patronage. Or that passengers would spend 14 minutes longer in Haverfordwest instead of having a ride to the depot and back.

 

[Anonymous10]

It could equally be argued that hardly anyone uses rural buses unless they have no other option and journey times don't affect patronage. Or that passengers would spend 14 minutes longer in Haverfordwest instead of having a ride to the depot and back.

Which indeed many do as most pick the bus up from picton place. This stems from several years ago when only the morning buses departed from the bus station.

 

[markymark2000]

TO be honest the linking up to the industrial estate and thus the hospital isnt bad in principle, its the execution, even better if they link in the train station.

That is true. I've no issue with the actual links, just the way it's been done with the nonsense large circular around the towns ring road for the sake of making Firsts driver changes easier. You wouldn't get away with such nonsense with authorities that have got a backbone.

 

[Dai Corner]

That is true. I've no issue with the actual links, just the way it's been done with the nonsense large circular around the towns ring road for the sake of making Firsts driver changes easier. You wouldn't get away with such nonsense with authorities that have got a backbone.

But if it saves a driver...

 

[JKP]

But if it saves a driver...

Most bus companies I know have a crew shuttle car or van between their depot and the bus station or terminus.

I think that Haverfordwest is complicated by the location of the hospital and the adjoining shops. The Marks and Spencers is quite large and whilst Debenhams have long gone surely there is some passenger demand?

 

[Anonymous10]

Most bus companies I know have a crew shuttle car or van between their depot and the bus station or terminus.

I think that Haverfordwest is complicated by the location of the hospital and the adjoining shops. The Marks and Spencers is quite large and whilst Debenhams have long gone surely there is some passenger demand?

The bus top for the hospital is located near new housing estates, a marstons, a premier inn, on one of the retail parks theres a home base, pets at home, currys. The second having m & s, costa, mountain warehouse, tk max, home bargains, sports direct and a few others.

 

[py_megapixel]

That is true. I've no issue with the actual links, just the way it's been done with the nonsense large circular around the towns ring road for the sake of making Firsts driver changes easier. You wouldn't get away with such nonsense with authorities that have got a backbone.

I'm unfamiliar with the area so perhaps take what I write with a pinch of salt. But I've just looked up a map of the 302 route and I'm struggling to make sense of the benefit of the loop for anyone involved really.

If there is enough passenger demand to make it worth serving the three stops between the bus station and the depot (and the timetable suggests there is, since journeys that don't stop at the depot still do the loop), would it not be better for all involved to just have a simple extension of the route to terminate at and start from the depot, serving those stops in both directions? Is there a one-way system in Haverfordwest centre that precludes this or something?

If there isn't enough passenger demand at those stops, why not same some time by running the buses dead round the ring road in both directions, or shuttling the drivers in a company car as is done elsewhere?

 

[Anonymous10]

I may suggest given the discussion a new thread is created.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Nov 2025 ==

I'm unfamiliar with the area so perhaps take what I write with a pinch of salt. But I've just looked up a map of the 302 route and I'm struggling to make sense of the benefit of the loop for anyone involved really.

If there is enough passenger demand to make it worth serving the three stops between the bus station and the depot (and the timetable suggests there is, since journeys that don't stop at the depot still do the loop), would it not be better for all involved to just have a simple extension of the route to terminate at and start from the depot, serving those stops in both directions? Is there a one-way system in Haverfordwest centre that precludes this or something?

If there isn't enough passenger demand at those stops, why not same some time by running the buses dead round the ring road in both directions, or shuttling the drivers in a company car as is done elsewhere?

There isnt a one way system but the 302, 349 and 381 all loop around this area and interwork which may be the cause?

I do wish they served the station though as they pass so close.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm unfamiliar with the area so perhaps take what I write with a pinch of salt. But I've just looked up a map of the 302 route and I'm struggling to make sense of the benefit of the loop for anyone involved really.

If there is enough passenger demand to make it worth serving the three stops between the bus station and the depot (and the timetable suggests there is, since journeys that don't stop at the depot still do the loop), would it not be better for all involved to just have a simple extension of the route to terminate at and start from the depot, serving those stops in both directions? Is there a one-way system in Haverfordwest centre that precludes this or something?

If there isn't enough passenger demand at those stops, why not same some time by running the buses dead round the ring road in both directions, or shuttling the drivers in a company car as is done elsewhere?

Ok - it's like this.

Let's take the 302 to Milford Haven. It, and other routes, run via Withybush Hospital because it's the major hospital serving SW Wales. Some journeys run to/from the hospital - on the 302, it's a 8 minute run in total from Bus Station to Hospital to Picton Place which is the main bus stop in the town.

However, some will run to the First depot at Withybush Industrial Estate and then run as a one way loop down the bypass and then rejoin the route at Picton Place - that takes 14 mins. A whole 6 mins more. Now most of the regulars heading to Milford Haven KNOW that the bus goes via the Hospital so they don't get on there; they get on at Picton Place. Essentially, it's only passengers going from the hospital to town who will get a 6 min penalty.





Take the 322/381 - it essentially operates as a massive one way loop through the town, heading direct into town, up past Withybush Hospital, then via the depot and out to bypass and away back towards Narberth and is actually a quicker way of operating those services. The 349 operates the same way as the 302 but on every journey, and that's the only real criticism I have. It would perhaps make more sense to have a consistent route pattern on the 302.

You mention the fact that many firms will use a crew ferry car to undertake driver changes. Haverfordwest depot has an allocation of THIRTEEN so you're not talking of many changes and it's a fair cost for a relatively underused vehicle. And you're paying drivers to drive a car too so it makes them less productive.

So you can have a crew ferry car cost and incur more driving hour costs/rest implications OR you can adversely impact a handful of passengers by 6 minutes on a one way loop from the hospital. Doesn't take much thinking to work that one out!!

 

[Mal]

Ah thank you. I forgot about the Huyton Travel purchase earlier this year. I guess it provides them a depot and easier access to the franchising than starting from scratch. But you have to wonder why they are interested in franchising again after selling their London operations which were the same style of franchising. Why would London not be attractive to them but other areas are.

If Huyton Travel have been bought by Tower Transit, there is no obvious sign of it as they are still running buses in 'as bought' liveries. These are all-red, white, green, blue and white and others with no sign of TT ownership. This seems to be a strange situation as, usually, a company being taken over should have some kind of indication that there are new owners like a new livery or new logo in 'house' style.

 

[markymark2000]

If Huyton Travel have been bought by Tower Transit, there is no obvious sign of it as they are still running buses in 'as bought' liveries. These are all-red, white, green, blue and white and others with no sign of TT ownership. This seems to be a strange situation as, usually, a company being taken over should have some kind of indication that there are new owners like a new livery or new logo in 'house' style.

You've got to remember that if Tower Transit don't win some of the franchises though within the next few years, they won't have a company left. And even if they win contracts, depending on which tenders they win, they may even be using Merseytravel buses, or have to redo the buses to a Merseytravel specification. Why would you spend too much money on the operation when within a few years, you will either have no company left or have to redo the fleet to a new standard anyway.

Huyton Travel does have a new logo, but it's not very well promoted.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1202142101948982&set=a.545771160919416 (Facebook post has the new logo, which can also be seen below).

South Wales Transport you can see even less changes though. No new logo, no new anything. It's just business as usual. And First are doing a similar thing with some of their purchases, they aren't changing them at all and they aren't putting First Group logos on any of their coach operators. I think it's perhaps a bit of a new 'hands off' approach that these larger companies are taking. Let the local firms plod on and do what they do. Especially since it's often when the big groups get too involved, that things start going sour.

 

[mangad]

If Huyton Travel have been bought by Tower Transit, there is no obvious sign of it as they are still running buses in 'as bought' liveries. These are all-red, white, green, blue and white and others with no sign of TT ownership. This seems to be a strange situation as, usually, a company being taken over should have some kind of indication that there are new owners like a new livery or new logo in 'house' style.

They did buy it. Companies House records shows them having taking control last February. Given franchising is coming perhaps they simply decided there was no point in changing anything. Why introduce new liveries and logos that may soon be irrelevant and obsolete?

 

[CN12 AWU]

Suprised they been able to acquire South Wales Transport as don't they already own Adventure Travel which is in same area so would come under monopoly? Sure it's happened in other places before one springs to mind was Stagecoach buying Preston bus but had to sell it as they already had operations in the area