About Local Transit Co
A Melbourne Bus Operator with a Social Purpose
Local Transit Co is a bus operator registered with Safe transport Victoria. Based in Melbourne, we provide school transport, a range of courtesy, planned and project shuttle services, and group charters.
Local Transit is a social enterprise registered nationally by Social Traders and internationally under People & Planet First- find out more.
Our vision is a Melbourne that is fully inclusive of all people who are physically, socially or economically disadvantaged or vulnerable – a city in which services and opportunities are equally accessible to all.
Our core social mission aims to provide accessible, affordable, appropriate and timely transport for people with restricted mobility; and to provide employment opportunities in the transport sector to people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Our Values
Local Transit supports our drivers and puts our clients and customers first, always trying to accommodate their requirements and limitations, while never never compromising service quality or safety.
Our values highlight this commitment.
Trust
Building trust within the community through understanding problems and finding solutions
Partnership
Developing strategic partnerships and collaborations to increase reach and impact
Honesty
Operating with transparency, dependability and excellence in all we do
Teamwork
Creating a supportive space for everyone to do their best
Our Story
Local Transit was founded in 2018 and began operating in 2019 with a simple purpose: to improve access to transport while creating work opportunities for drivers from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
In our early years, we worked across a broad range of community and accessible passenger transport needs. That experience gave us a strong understanding of the challenges faced by passengers with mobility or access needs, families, schools, community organisations and transport partners.
As Local Transit grew, our work became more structured. We built stronger systems, developed long-term client relationships and focused on services where our team, vehicles and drivers could deliver the most value.
As a small company with large ideas, overcoming the hardships of covid in the early 2020s proved our resilience and ability to make a positive an impact in the community.
Today, Local Transit’s core work is bus passenger transport for schools, government agencies, education providers, corporate partners, transport organisations and community groups.
Our subsidiaries, Local Transit Courier and Local Transit Care, extend this capability into other areas of transport. Local Transit Courier provides responsive business-to-business courier and delivery services, including time-critical and tailored solutions, while Local Transit Care provides pre-booked and on-demand accessible transport, with flexible and bespoke solutions for individuals and organisations with more specific mobility or service requirements.
We are proud of our achievements.
Our Team
,,Our team reflects the community origins of Local Transit. Co-founder and Managing Director, Ali Warsame came to Australia as a refugee and, like many in his community, built a livelihood in Melbourne’s taxi industry. Over more than 20 years as a driver, including transporting people with disability, he saw firsthand both the opportunities the industry created and the challenges drivers faced as the sector changed.
Co-founder, Salman Warsame grew up around that same industry and the livelihood it provided his family. With a background in economics, banking and business development, he helped turn that lived experience into a sustainable social enterprise.
They are supported by an experienced team across operations, business development and administration, bringing practical knowledge from transport, government, community and commercial environments.
Our frontline workforce remains central to that purpose. Local Transit creates employment opportunities across driving, on-board support and other transport roles, with a particular focus on people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Our team is carefully recruited, screened and trained to meet Local Transit’s safety and service standards.
Our Fleet
Local Transit operates a fleet of accessible vehicles that range in size upwards from 12 passenger seats, including electric vehicles.
Our Achievements
Our commercial validation has been defined by:
- Successful on-demand transport trials in Wyndham Local Government Area.
- Long-term contract for provision of accessible rail disruption transport for Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM).
- Specialist school transport under Department of Education contract.
- Shorter term shuttle services as part of the Big Build infrastructure projects.
Need a transport partner for a school, organisation or project?
Want to discuss your transport requirements.
Need more information, including our Capability Statement and Annual Report.
Accreditations and Affiliations
Registered Social Trader
Registered People&PlanetFirst
Bus accreditation with Safe Transport Victoria – No. AO008340
BusVic membership