EPM Bus Solutions has today, with the support of Literacy Capital, bought one of the UK’s leading passenger transport software businesses, Oldham-based Omnibus.
The strategic acquisition sees Bromsgrove-based EPM further strengthen its capability in providing high quality software solutions across the bus operator and transport authority markets, focussed on improving operational and commercial performance.
Founded in 1990, by Peter and Carol Crichton, Omnibus provides software for passenger transport scheduling, staff rostering, depot allocation and timetable construction to a wide range of public transport operators and local authorities, with solutions being used across the UK and overseas.
EPM Bus Solutions, formed in 1986, provides software to help bus operators and transport authorities reduce operational costs, improve financial performance and better serve their customers. In addition, EPM is the UK’s leading BSOG auditor and concessionary reimbursement consultancy.
Ian Churchill, CEO at EPM Bus Solutions (pictured) says: “Omnibus’ software solutions perfectly complements EPM’s, and the acquisition will enable us to provide a higher quality service to existing clients and give a wider offering of solutions to new customers.
“By bringing together the two businesses we will be able to harness the domain knowledge and experience of both to develop solutions to meet the needs of the public transport sector as society emerges from the impact of Covid-19.”
Peter Crichton, Managing Director at Omnibus, says: “I am very proud of the journey the Omnibus business has been on over the last three decades.
“Driven by the challenges faced by the pandemic, new technologies, and demand from bus operators and transport authorities for deeper insights into their operations to drive efficiency, EPM’s solutions combined with Omnibus’ will offer a powerful set of solutions which will be best-in-class. I am looking forward to working with the EPM team on this exciting journey.”
