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SkyBus - Australia

SkyBus History

Kinetic Group is owned by Canadian Pension Fund, OP Trust. Operating for over 41 years, SkyBus has a dedicated Airport Express Bus service out of Melbourne Airport, with an annual passenger growth averaging 6% per year.

Recognising a gap in traveller needs for a cost effective and reliable mode of transport accessing the airport, SkyBus first opened operations in 1978 as a small family business founded by the Cowen Family. SkyBus’ original coach depot was located on Franklin Street from which buses were deployed to Southern Cross Station for passenger pickups. From here, buses continued onto various CBD hotels before continuing onto the Airport. In 2000, the service evolved into an express service running directly from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and back again. This change in operation significantly reduced travel time to approximately 20 – 30 minutes. Hotel connections became a separate service with the introduction of minibuses implemented for the SkyBus complimentary Hotel Transfer Service.

In September 2014, SkyBus was purchased by a consortium that included Catalyst Direct Capital Management and OPTrust Private Markets Group. A new management team was introduced with the vision to be the world leader in airport mass transit, through development of safe, efficient and reliable services providing a world-class customer experience.