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In November 1974, a service commenced from [[Ballina, New South Wales|Ballina]] to [[Sydney]].<ref>[http://www.kirklandsbuses.com/#!/c5fp Kirkland Buses continued] Kirklands Buses</ref> It was later extended to [[Brisbane Transit Centre|Brisbane]]. In 1986, the business was sold to Waugh & Josephson which in turn was sold to [[Bond Corporation]] in 1987. Kirkland Bros was sold to John A Gilbert in 1988. As at August 1989, the fleet comprised of 111 buses and coaches.<ref name=FleetlineFeb90/>
In November 1974, a service commenced from [[Ballina, New South Wales|Ballina]] to [[Sydney]].<ref>[http://www.kirklandsbuses.com/#!/c5fp Kirkland Buses continued] Kirklands Buses</ref> It was later extended to [[Brisbane Transit Centre|Brisbane]]. In 1986, the business was sold to Waugh & Josephson which in turn was sold to [[Bond Corporation]] in 1987. Kirkland Bros was sold to John A Gilbert in 1988. As at August 1989, the fleet comprised of 111 buses and coaches.<ref name=FleetlineFeb90/>


In June 1996, the Brisbane to Sydney services were sold to [[Premier Transport Group#Premier Motor Service|Premier Motor Service]]<ref>"Nowra Coaches" ''Australian Bus Panorama'' issue 12/1 August 1996 page 54</ref> who in April 2008, also purchased the Lismore to Brisbane service. In the 2000s, the Kirklands name was dropped with the business split into Ballina Buslines and Northern Rivers Buslines.
In June 1996, the Brisbane to Sydney services were sold to [[Premier Transport Group#Premier Motor Service|Premier Motor Service]]<ref>"Nowra Coaches" ''Australian Bus Panorama'' issue 12/1 August 1996 page 54</ref> who in April 2008, also purchased the Lismore to Brisbane service.<ref>[http://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/0803/kings-kirklands-takeover-opens-routes/ Kings Kirklands Takeover Opens Routes] ''Australasian Bus & Coach'' 6 March 2008</ref> In the 2000s, the Kirklands name was dropped with the business split into Ballina Buslines and Northern Rivers Buslines.


===Bathurst Buslines===
===Bathurst Buslines===

Revision as of 10:54, 10 June 2015

Buslines Group
Dubbo Buslines Bustech bodied Mercedes-Benz OC500LE in July 2013
ParentFrank D'Apuzzo
Peter Simpson
Commenced operation1943
HeadquartersBurwood
Service typeBus services
Depots10
Fleet287 (October 2014)
OperatorBallina Buslines
Bathurst Buslines
Berrima Buslines
Dubbo Buslines
Griffith Buslines
Lithgow Buslines
Northern Rivers Buslines
Orange Buslines
Picton Buslines
Tamworth Buslines
Websitewww.buslinesgroup.com.au

The Buslines Group is an Australian bus operator in New South Wales.

History

The Buslines Group was formed when the rural New South Wales operations of John A Gilbert were purchased.

The John A Gilbert group was founded in 1943 when it made its first purchase in Tamworth. This was followed in 1946 by Berrima and Orange. Further purchases were made in Bathurst and Dubbo with all operating under the Buslines of Australia brand. The Bathurst business was sold in 1977.[1][2]

In November 1988, the Lismore based business of Kirklands Omnibus Services was purchased taking the fleet to 250 vehicles.[3] In October 1992 Sydney operator Shorelink was purchased[4] being sold in March 1996.[5]

In March 1996, John A Gilbert sold their remaining bus operations to Frank D'Apuzzo and Peter Simpson.[6][7] In March 2000 Picton Omnibus Service was purchased.[2]

From 2004 the Buslines brand was rolled out across all operations. In June 2006, Ritchies Bus Service, Griffith was purchased, followed by Perrett's Coach Service, Werris Creek in April 2008 and Selwood Coaches, Orange in December 2009, these latter two being integrated into the Tamworth, Orange and Dubbo operations.[2]

In April 2012, the business of Jones Brothers, Lithgow and Bathurst was purchased, the latter having previously been part of the group until sold in 1977.[2][8]

John A Gilbert also operated a bus dealership in Guildford and previously owned Holden car dealerships in Parramatta and Waitara.[7]

Subsidiaries

Ballina Buslines / Northern Rivers Buslines

In 1939, Clarrie and Jim Kirkland purchased two bus runs in Evans Head.[9] Trading as Kirkland Bros, further operations would be purchased in the Northern Rivers region. In January 1970, the business of New England Motor Company which operated long distance services from Lismore to Brisbane, Tenterfield and Grafton. By this stage, the fleet stood at 45.[3][10][11]

In November 1974, a service commenced from Ballina to Sydney.[12] It was later extended to Brisbane. In 1986, the business was sold to Waugh & Josephson which in turn was sold to Bond Corporation in 1987. Kirkland Bros was sold to John A Gilbert in 1988. As at August 1989, the fleet comprised of 111 buses and coaches.[3]

In June 1996, the Brisbane to Sydney services were sold to Premier Motor Service[13] who in April 2008, also purchased the Lismore to Brisbane service.[14] In the 2000s, the Kirklands name was dropped with the business split into Ballina Buslines and Northern Rivers Buslines.

Bathurst Buslines

A typical bus stop in Bathurst

Bathurst Buslines has seven routes operating in and around Bathurst, all operating Mondays to Saturdays.[15] No bus services operate on Sundays and public holidays.

In major centres, Bathurst Buslines has designated bus stop signs (demonstrated in the picture on the right). In locations without these signs, a Hail and Ride system operates. This system is where passengers stand on a part of the road where it is safe for a bus to stop, and then hail the bus as it approaches by holding out a hand so the driver can see them.

Passengers wishing to set down where this system exists, asks the driver to let them off the bus as they approach a safe set down area near their destination.

Route
Start Via End
520
Bathurst West Bathurst Windradyne
521
Bathurst Kelso Laffing Waters
522
Bathurst South Bathurst
Bathurst Station
Gormans Hill
523
Bathurst North Bathurst Eglinton
524
Bathurst Kelso Shops
Blue Ridge
Bathurst Station
Raglan
525
Bathurst Macquarie Plains Kelso
526
Bathurst Charles Sturt University
TAFE
Bathurst Station
South Bathurst

Lithgow Buslines

Lithgow Buslines has four routes that operate in and around Lithgow.[16]

Route
Start Via End
100
Lithgow Strathlone Estate
Lithgow Hospital
Littleton
200
Lithgow Musket Parade
Lithgow Hospital
Bowenfels
304
Lithgow Morts Estate Oakey Park
500
Lithgow Robson
Chifley
Vale of Clwydd

Lithgow Buslines has two routes that operate between Lithgow and Portland/Bathurst.

Route
Start Via End
600
Lithgow Lithgow Correctional Centre
Wallerawang
Portland
636
Lithgow Lithgow Correctional Centre
Wallerawang
Portland
Bathurst

Fleet

As at October 2014, the fleet consisted of 287 buses.[2] Up until the mid-1980s the John A Gilbert fleet were painted white and black. This was replaced by a white and blue livery which was simplified when the Buslines Group took over.

2

References

  1. ^ About Us Buslines Group
  2. ^ a b c d e Buslines Group Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  3. ^ a b c "50 years of Kirkland Brothers" Fleetline issue 175 February 1990 pages 19-24
  4. ^ "Shorelink" Australian Bus Panorama issue 8/5 February 1993 page 45
  5. ^ About Veolia Transdev Transdev
  6. ^ "Major Bus Fleet Sale" Australian Bus Panorama issue 11/9 June 1996 page 28
  7. ^ a b The Bard's mystery benefactor Sydney Morning Herald 11 May 2009
  8. ^ Last stop for pioneering Jones Brothers Western Advocate 19 March 2012
  9. ^ In the beginning Kirklands Buses
  10. ^ New England Motor Company Limited Kirkland Buses
  11. ^ Kirkland Buses continued Kirklands Buses
  12. ^ Kirkland Buses continued Kirklands Buses
  13. ^ "Nowra Coaches" Australian Bus Panorama issue 12/1 August 1996 page 54
  14. ^ Kings Kirklands Takeover Opens Routes Australasian Bus & Coach 6 March 2008
  15. ^ Public Timetables Bathurst Buslines
  16. ^ Public Timetables Lithgow Buslines