McInnes Wilson has advised Southern Cross Transit on the acquisition of Faith Lutheran College’s school bus operation in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane.
About Southern Cross Transit
Southern Cross Transit is one of Queensland’s largest passenger transport businesses with a fleet of 65 buses and coaches servicing the school and charter market in South East Queensland.
The business is currently contracted by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and multiple private schools for the delivery of dedicated school bus services in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.
Since August 2002, Southern Cross Transit has been owned by the Oliveri family, who recently celebrated 70 years moving people, having originally started on 23 November 1954 with the purchase of a single bus in the western suburbs of Sydney.
About Faith Lutheran College
Faith Lutheran College (Faith), based at Plainland in the Lockyer Valley, is a leading independent secondary school and one of the region’s largest employers.
Since its inception, Faith conducted its own dedicated school bus operation for students residing in Ipswich and throughout the Lockyer Valley region, until a decision was made to outsource service delivery.
On 15 July 2025, Southern Cross Transit took over service delivery of all school runs for Faith, including its fleet of 14 buses and dedicated transport staff.
Chris Davis, Nick Wilson and Oskar Waddington in McInnes Wilson's Corporate and Commercial Advisory team advised Southern Cross Transit on all aspects relating to the acquisition of Faith’s school bus operation.
Frank Oliveri, Managing Director of Southern Cross Transit, said:
"Providing modern, safe, affordable and cost-effective bus services is extremely challenging in today’s hyper-connected society. Since day one back in 1954, the Oliveri family has attributed its success and sustainability to partnering with professional advisers who understand the intricacies of public transport service delivery, and how we, as a delivery partner, meet and exceeded all compliance and expectations of our governments and local communities.
The team at McInnes Wilson has a sound knowledge of public transport, the law and importantly, the community and political nuances, and since engaging with them many years ago they have provided us with a solid foundation to grow our business here in Queensland."
Without question, partnering with McInnes Wilson is one of the best decisions we have made in our 70 years of moving people.
– Frank Oliveri, Managing Director, Southern Cross Transit
Commenting on the acquisition, Senior Associate Nick Wilson stated:
“Since 2021, I have had the privilege of acting for the Oliveri family and Southern Cross Transit, who are one of Australia’s longest standing bus families.
Well done to Frank, Carmel and the team at Southern Cross on this strategic acquisition and expansion of their business into the Lockyer Valley.”
Nick is a corporate lawyer with a specialty knowledge of the passenger transport sector. He has been involved in Queensland’s bus industry for over a decade and has applied his comprehensive understanding of the sector for clients in a professional law firm environment since 2018.
Nick advises bus operators, industry associations and associated suppliers on a range of matters including passenger transport service contracts with government, formulating government tender responses, facilitating the sale and purchase of transport businesses, and commercial property transactions.
how can McInnes Wilson help?
If you require assistance with the sale or purchase of a transport business, please contact Nick Wilson on (07) 3014 6574 or nwilson@mcw.com.au.
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