LibertyBus
{{Distinguish|Liberty Bus}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name = LibertyBus
|logo = LibertyBus logo.png
|image = LibertyBus in Jersey.JPG
|image_caption = Alexander Dennis Enviro400 in Saint Brélade in January 2013
|company_slogan =
|parent = Kelsian Group
|founded = 2 January 2013
|defunct =
|headquarters = St Helier
|locale =
|service_area = Jersey
|service_type = Bus services
|alliance =
|routes = 25 (April 2020)
|destinations =
|stops =
|hubs =
|stations =
|fleet = 58 (October 2022){{cite web |url=https://libertybus.je/about-us |title=About Us |website=LibertyBus |access-date=4 October 2022}}
|operator =
|ceo = Kevin Hart
|website = [http://www.libertybus.je/ www.libertybus.je]
}}
LibertyBus is a bus operator on the island of Jersey. It is a subsidiary of the Kelsian Group.
History
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.[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=6514&categoryid=0 Second HCT island contract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212046/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=6514&categoryid=0 |date=29 October 2013 }} busandcoach.com 27 February 2012{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120902225225/http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/258/CT%20Plus%20Jersey%20to%20operate%20Jersey%E2%80%99s%20bus%20services%20from%20January%202013 CT Plus Jersey to operate Jersey's bus services from January 2013]}} HCT Group 10 July 2012[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-18780459 Final tender from CT Plus to run Jersey's buses approved] BBC News 10 July 2012 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.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-19520495 Jersey bus service to be LibertyBus after public vote] BBC News 7 September 2012
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.{{cite news|last=Jeune |first=James |url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2022/09/15/libertybus-sold-to-adelaide-based-transport-group/ | work=Jersey Evening Post | title=LibertyBus sold to Adelaide-based transport group |date=16 September 2022 |access-date=16 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.route-one.net/news/kelsian-group-buys-hcts-channel-islands-operations/ |title=Kelsian Group buys HCT's Channel Islands operations |work=routeone |date=16 September 2022 |accessdate=16 September 2022}}
AvanchiCard
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.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-20785950 Jersey travel card to be called Avanchi after pupils vote] BBC News 19 December 2012
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).[http://www.libertybus.je/routes_times/avanchicards#.UnDmFRzUCBU AvanchiCards] LibertyBus
Fleet
File:LibertyBus Mellor Sigma 8 electric bus in St Helier.jpg battery electric bus in St Helier in June 2024]]
As of October 2022, the LibertyBus fleet consisted of 58 single and double-decker buses.
Prior to their commencement of operations in 2012, LibertyBus took delivery of 33 'Slimline' Optare Solo SRs.[http://www.optare.com/pr_06_09_12.htm Optare bags multi-million pound Solo SR order] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203238/http://www.optare.com/pr_06_09_12.htm |date=29 October 2013 }} Optare 6 September 2012 In 2013, six Alexander Dennis Enviro400s were also delivered, the first double-decker buses purchased new for the island for many years.{{cite magazine |last=Izatt |first=Andy |date=18 November 2014 |issue=1164 |title=Small, but perfectly formed |url=https://issuu.com/rouncymedia/docs/binder1164_1/28 |pages=28-32 |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |access-date=4 October 2022}} In November 2023, two Mellor Sigma 8 electric buses were purchased, which entered service the next month.{{cite news |title=LibertyBus introduces Mellor electrics |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/libertybus-introduces-mellor-electrics/ |date=16 January 2024 |work=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |access-date=16 January 2024}}{{cite news|author= |title=Jersey's first electric buses set to take to the roads |url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/jerseys-first-electric-buses-set-take-roads |work=Bailiwick Express |location=St Helier |access-date=16 January 2024 |date=3 December 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|CT Plus (Jersey)}}
- [http://www.libertybus.je/ Company website]
- [http://www.gov.je/TRAVEL/BUSES/SCHOOLBUSES/Pages/index.aspx School bus information]
{{Kelsian Group}}