LibertyBus is a bus operator on the island of Jersey. It is a subsidiary of the Kelsian Group.

LibertyBus
ParentKelsian Group
Founded2 January 2013
HeadquartersSt Helier
Service areaJersey
Service typeBus services
Routes25 (April 2020)
Fleet58 (October 2022)[1]
Chief executiveKevin Hart
Websitewww.libertybus.je

History

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In February 2012, the HCT Group was awarded a contract by the States of Jersey to operate the island's bus services from January 2013 for seven years with a three-year option taking over from MyBus.[2][3][4] The operation was branded LibertyBus after a public vote. LibertyBus also won the Jersey Chartered Institute of Marketing Award, for Best Brand Campaign 2013 for the LibertyBus brand.[5]

In September 2022, the HCT Group sold both LibertyBus and Guernsey's buses.gg operation to the Kelsian Group, following a period of extended financial difficulties for the HCT Group that resulted in the sale of most of its subsidiaries.[6][7]

AvanchiCard

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A smart card payment system named AvanchiCard was introduced in 2013. The name AvanchiCard comes from avanchi, which means advance or move forward in Jèrriais – Jersey’s traditional language. The name was chosen by Jersey’s children and young people through a competition organised with local schools.[8]

LibertyBus have a range of AvanchiCards to suit individual travelling needs: AvanchiCard Concession (senior citizen card), AvanchiCard Visitor (various unlimited single and family passes for visitors to the Island), AvanchiCard Unlimited (Weekly, Monthly & Annual unlimited), AvanchiCard Student and AvanchiCard PAYG (pay-as-you-go).[9]

Fleet

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Mellor Sigma 8 battery electric bus in St Helier in June 2024

As of October 2022, the LibertyBus fleet consisted of 58 single and double-decker buses.[1]

Prior to their commencement of operations in 2012, LibertyBus took delivery of 33 'Slimline' Optare Solo SRs.[10] In 2013, six Alexander Dennis Enviro400s were also delivered, the first double-decker buses purchased new for the island for many years.[11] In November 2023 two Mellor Sigma 8 electric buses were purchased, which entered service the next month.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "About Us". LibertyBus. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  2. ^ Second HCT island contract Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine busandcoach.com 27 February 2012
  3. ^ CT Plus Jersey to operate Jersey's bus services from January 2013 HCT Group 10 July 2012
  4. ^ Final tender from CT Plus to run Jersey's buses approved BBC News 10 July 2012
  5. ^ Jersey bus service to be LibertyBus after public vote BBC News 7 September 2012
  6. ^ Jeune, James (16 September 2022). "LibertyBus sold to Adelaide-based transport group". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Kelsian Group buys HCT's Channel Islands operations". routeone. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  8. ^ Jersey travel card to be called Avanchi after pupils vote BBC News 19 December 2012
  9. ^ AvanchiCards LibertyBus
  10. ^ Optare bags multi-million pound Solo SR order Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Optare 6 September 2012
  11. ^ Izatt, Andy (18 November 2014). "Small, but perfectly formed". Coach & Bus Week. No. 1164. Peterborough. pp. 28–32. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  12. ^ "LibertyBus introduces Mellor electrics". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Jersey's first electric buses set to take to the roads". Bailiwick Express. St Helier. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
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