8th July 2024
2min

  • Keolis has signed an agreement with Student Transportation of America (STA) to acquire the two business divisions, Transit and Motorcoach, of Pacific Western Transportation Ltd. (PWT), a Canadian passenger transport company based in Calgary.

  • With this acquisition, Keolis strengthens its presence in North America and becomes a leading operator in the field of urban transport, intercity buses, and on-demand mobility in Western Canada.

Commenting on this acquisition, Marie-Ange Debon, Chairwoman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Keolis said:

"This is an important step in our development strategy, particularly in North America. It allows us to reinforce our presence in Canada and expand our expertise and services to new promising regions. We are excited to welcome the Pacific Western Transportation teams to the Keolis family, and we look forward to continue providing high-performing and quality transport solutions to our customers."

With 550 buses and coaches in operation, the Transit and Motorcoach entities provide urban transport services in 23 municipalities in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, as well as intercity transport services in the same provinces and Ontario, under iconic brands such as Red Arrow and Ebus. These entities generated a revenue of CAD 115 million (approximately EUR 80 million) in 2023.

Keolis doubles in size in Canada

Present in Canada since 2002, particularly in Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa as a bus and coach operator, Keolis doubles its size in this market with these new positions in the west of the country. It will capitalise on the know-how and expertise of the teams in place at Pacific Western Transportation, thereby becoming a central operator of urban transport, intercity motorcoaches, and on-demand mobility in Western Canada.

With recognized expertise in sustainable mobility and innovative services for its customers, Keolis will continue to develop efficient transport solutions tailored to the needs of Canadian local communities and their residents.

Beyond Canada, Keolis is a major player in the public transport sector in North America. The Group has been operating several transport networks in the United States since 2009, notably in the cities of Boston (rail), Washington DC, Austin, and Phoenix (bus).

The completion of the transaction is subject to the usual conditions precedent and the required regulatory approvals in Canada.

Founded in 1997, STA is a leader in school transportation in North America. With over 22,000 vehicles, STA provides its clients with the highest level of safety and reliability in school transportation, management, logistics, and technology solutions throughout the United States and Canada. In 2022, STA acquired Pacific Western Transportation (PWT).

Key Figures

  • 3provinces in Canada where we are present : Alberta, British Colombia, and Ontario, whose head office of the Transit and Motorcoach business divisions located in Calgary
  • 115millions Canadian dollars of revenue in 2023 (~80 million euros)
  • 550buses and coaches in operation
  • 1,106employees