Transdev Melbourne
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Parent | Transdev Australasia |
---|---|
Commenced operation | 4 August 2013 |
Service area | Melbourne |
Service type | Bus operator |
Routes | 52 |
Hubs | |
Depots | |
Fleet | circa 500 |
Website | www.transdevmelbourne.com.au |
Transdev Melbourne is an Australian bus operator in Melbourne, Victoria. It operates a fleet of over 500 buses, running out of four depots, across 52 routes spanning metropolitan Melbourne. Its' contract with the Victorian State Government commenced on 4 August 2013, taking over the contracts for three SmartBus routes and all National Bus Company and Melbourne Bus Link routes, which combined make up approximately 30% of Melbourne's bus network.
History
Most of Transdev Melbourne's routes were operated by the Public Transport Corporation until the 1990s. In December 1993 the Doncaster and Fitzroy North depots and associated services were transferred to National Bus Company, formed by Westbus proprietors Jim Bosnjak and sister in law Carol.[1][2] In May 1999 the Bosnjaks sold the business to National Express Group[3] and again in September 2004 to Ventura Bus Lines.[4][5] The remaining Public Transport Corporation services remained in public ownership until privatised in April 1998 with Dyson Group and Reservoir Bus Company forming Melbourne Bus Link to take over the services operating out of Footscray and Sandringham depots.[6]
In June 2012 Public Transport Victoria called for expressions of interest for the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise with 30% of the city's bus network, currently operated by Melbourne Bus Link, National Bus Company and three SmartBus routes, to be put to tender.[7] From ten expressions received, a shortlist of five bidders was selected in August 2012 with FirstGroup, Keolis Downer Rail, National Bus Company (Ventura), Transit Systems, and Transdev invited to tender.[8][9] In April 2013 Transdev were the awarded the franchise with operations commencing on 4 August 2013.[10][11] The franchise will run for seven years with an option to extend for a further three years.[10][12]
Routes
Transdev Melbourne took over the operation of 52 routes spanning Melbourne's metropolitan area, separated into three groups: 40 Eastern routes, nine Western routes and three SmartBus Orbital routes. It also operates 122 school bus services across metropolitan Melbourne.[13][14][15]
Fleet
Transdev Melbourne inherited a fleet of approximately 500 buses from Melbourne Bus Link, National Bus Company and SmartBus operators.[16]
Depots
Transdev Melbourne operate from four depots located across Melbourne, with a requirement to establish more depot storage. The Eastern network (former National Bus Company) operates out of depots in Doncaster and Fitzroy North, while the Western network (former Melbourne Bus Link) operate depots in Footscray and Sandringham. The SmartBus Orbital fleet is currently operated out of private depot sites across Melbourne, as such Transdev is charged with establishing permanent storage facilities within the first four years of the contract.[16]
References
- ^ "National Bus Company" Australian Bus Panorama 9/5 January 1994 page 31
- ^ "PTC Fleet Break-Up Immediately Prior to National Bus Co Takeover" Australian Bus Panorama 9/6 February 1994 page 31
- ^ "National Express - Acquisition". National Express Group PLC. Hemscott. 10 May 1999. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ Milovanovic, Selma (6 September 2004). "New driving force behind Melbourne's buses". The Age. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Ventura Bus acquires National Bus Company Victoria". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Historic Reforms for Melbourne's Buses" Australian Bus Panorama 13/3 December 1997 page 35
- ^ "Expressions of Interest now open for Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise" (Press release). Public Transport Victoria. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Public Transport Victoria announces shortlist for Melbourne metropolitan bus franchise" (Press release). Public Transport Victoria. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ Goeldner, David (27 August 2012). "First Group named in Melbourne's final five". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Preferred tenderer announced for the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise" (Press release). Public Transport Victoria. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Transdev to begin operating the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise from Sunday 4 August" (Press release). Public Transport Victoria. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ Carey, Adam (26 April 2013). "Anger as French company lands bus contract". The Age. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Invitation for Expressions of Interest Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise Volume 2 – Melbourne and its Bus and Public Transport Networks" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. p. 14. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- ^ "Our Bus Routes". Transdev Melbourne. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ "Metropolitan buses". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ a b "Invitation for Expressions of Interest Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise Volume 2 – Melbourne and its Bus and Public Transport Networks" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. pp. 22–26. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
External links
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