Stagecoach South West is to take over operation of the island’s buses from Tower Transit-owned CT Plus from next year
Stagecoach says it is proud to announce that it will be expanding its services to the Channel Island of Guernsey from 1 April 2025, taking over from existing operator CT Plus which runs the services under the buses.gg brand. Stagecoach says it looks forward to enhancing community connectivity and supporting approximately 1.5 million customer journeys on an initial five-year contract term.
Joining the Stagecoach South West network, the operator will run 20 core public bus routes and 24 school service routes on the island. As part of the transition, Stagecoach will also be welcoming 73 staff members from the existing operator.
Chief Executive Officer at Stagecoach Claire Miles said: “We are thrilled to embark on this new journey and look forward to making a positive impact on Guernsey’s transport network. Welcoming new staff under the stewardship of Stagecoach South West’s Managing Director, Peter Knight, we will continue to connect the community with efficient transportation.”
Peter added: “This is an exciting addition to both our Stagecoach and South West teams. We’re looking forward to meeting new members of the team and customers in Guernsey as we begin mobilising this operation over the coming months. This important and high-profile contract provides us with the opportunity to provide safe, high quality bus services to the island over the coming years, keeping these communities connected to the people and places that matter most.”
Deputy Adrian Gabriel, Vice-President of Guernsey’s Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure, thanked CT Plus for its work since taking over the island’s services in 2012, and said: “As part of the tender process, [Stagecoach has] already identified some areas for improvement in our network, especially around school bus provision, so we look forward to working with them to see how we can continue to improve our bus service and increase bus use.”
He thanked CT Plus for providing the bus service for the past 12 years, during which time passenger numbers are reported to have risen, as well as new ticketing systems and an app being introduced, the latter now having been downloaded by over 35,000 users.
CT Plus was acquired by Tower Transit Group in 2022. Tower Transit’s Kevin Hart told the BBC that the decision ‘reflects the States of Guernsey’s desire to take the bus service in a different direction’ and that the company was ‘disappointed’ but ‘immensely proud of all it has accomplished.’ He added: “It is unfortunate that we did not have the opportunity to continue with the ambitious improvement plans we had in place.”
It is understood that the buses will continue to carry their buses.gg identity and branding after the change of operator.
