Transdev Completes Acquisition of First Transit

Transdev Group has completed the acquisition of First Transit.

After receiving all necessary regulatory approvals in the U.S. and in Canada, Transdev and First Transit now officially form part of the same company, according to Transdev's news release.

This transaction, announced on Oct. 26, 2022, makes Transdev the leading operator of environmentally-friendly public transportation services in the U.S. and in Canada across fixed-route bus systems, paratransit, shuttle services, rail, light rail, and fleet maintenance.

With this transaction, Transdev is enhancing its ability to support public transit agencies in the U.S. and Canada in their energy transition toward decarbonization and the increased deployment of zero-emission vehicle fleets. To date, Transdev operates or maintains more than 400 zero-emission electric vehicles in North America, with an additional 70 vehicles on order.

Transdev is set to operate a global fleet of 3,000 electric vehicles worldwide by year-end 2023.

“The acquisition of First Transit is a major strategic milestone for Transdev, significantly reinforcing our group’s competitive position in North America," said Thierry Mallet, chairman/CEO of Transdev Group. "By combining our strengths, our expertise, our local presence, and our common values, we now become the leading operator of safe, affordable and eco-friendly public transportation services in both the U.S. and in Canada. Today, I am very proud and honored to welcome all our new colleagues into the Transdev Group.”

Transdev will now provide some 400 million passenger trips annually in North America, generating combined revenues of $2.6 billion. The combined company will operate, manage, and maintain more than 440 sites in 43 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and six Canadian provinces for communities, schools, universities, airports, and businesses.

The combined company will employ more than 35,000 people, with a fleet of more than 20,000 vehicles (owned or operated), and will maintain an additional fleet of some 39,000 vehicles and equipment across the U.S.

The combined operations are now led, in the U.S., by Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S. based in Lombard, Ill., and, in Canada, by Arthur Nicolet, CEO of Transdev Canada, based in Brossard, Québec.