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Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society

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24.01.2022 Recognition from our peers. Well done to Society members. It's great taking our vehicles on the road, for all to see (y)

24.01.2022 Unfortunately, this week the Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society lost a true friend to the Society and a legend of the bus industry. Dennis Maxwell was life member of the Society and had been involved in the bus/coach industry in our state for over 50yrs, operating school runs from Eriba, Wilmot into Ulverstone & Devonport to name a few. Maxwells also operated extended tours around Tasmania in conjunction with Centralian Tours & Tasbureau Tours. But the Maxwell name is best know fo...r operating the Cradle Mtn shuttle for 50yrs. Dennis himself was a little fella in stature, but a big voice in the industry. When he entered a room he commanded attention, he was always there with a good story, lots of laughs and a genuine passion for the industry. He became involved in the Society back in 2013 and has helped grow it's exposure immensely and was always available for expert advise. Dennis will be sadly missed by many in the indusrty, but none moreso than by his family :'( wife Jeanette, daughters Karen & Anne and his many grandchildren & great grandchildren. The Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society offer our sincere condolences to Dennis' family and promise to keep your family legacy alive through the vehicles Dennis donated for preservation <3 Vale Dennis Maxwell Our Flashback Friday photo features Dennis Maxwell's Hino RC320-GM / PMC in Ulverstone Photograph courtesy Bruce Tilley #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

23.01.2022 Flashback Friday today features long-time NW Coast operator, Crawn Motors. Crawn Motors have been in business for well over 60yrs, with Ian Crawn's mother operating a OB Bedford into APPM Burnie from Ridgley for the single workers in early 1950s. Ian drove the bus from his early 20s and took over running of the bus, expanding the business with new school contracts and acquisition of other smaller operators over the years.. Nowadays the business is operated by his two sons Roy...ce & Andrew and the fleet has grown to over 30 vehicles with their most recent acquisition, Hays Bus Service at Rosebery (albeit 7yrs ago). For many years Crawns also had the contract to Savage River from Burnie, but still operate numerous school contracts in/around Burnie, school charters state-wide, extended tours and are often seen operating tours/shuttles from visiting cruise ships. Nowadays, they predominantly operate luxury M.A.N.s with Australian-built bodies, but in their early days Ian operated a variety of vehicles, including the backbone of many operators, the old SB Bedford, then later model Volvos, Mercedes and now M.A.N.s. Crawn Motors vehicles have always been recognisable, with their distinctive yellow/blue livery and always stand out from the bland "white" buses we see everywhere today. Today's photo shows one of Crawn's older vehicles, a 1970 Bedford VAM3 / Comair, which they'd purchased from Renison Bell Mine at Zeehan. Photograph courtesy Bruce Tilley History courtesy Royce Crawn #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

21.01.2022 Our Flashback Friday feature today, is in memory of John "Lofty" Downey, who passed away 6th Aug 2020 (age 74) John was the last trolleybus driver in Hobart in Bus #230. Unfortunately, the records show #235 was the last bus, but it was in fact John in #230 doing a "back-up" for #235 because of the big loadings. John was a very colourful and lovable character, working for the MTT/Metro for close on 40yrs. with a short stint on log trucks for a couple years. He always told stor...ies of his "adventures" on the trolleybuses and was loved by colleagues and the public alike. So in remembrance of "Lofty", today's photo(s) shows 1952 built B.U.T trolleybus #235 with all the flags and bunting, loading at Franklin Sq. for Huon Road, where the original trolleybus route ran back in 1935. The second photo shows #230 (the actual last trolleybus to operate) outside the Campbell St depot, signed up for Huon Road ready for the back-up. I'm sure many people have fond memories of the trolleybuses, and if you're interested in still seeing them, they are on display at Tasmanian Transport Museum in Glenorchy. Vale John "Lofty" Downey. R.I.P :'( Photo(s) John Fitzsimons #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

20.01.2022 Maxwell's Coaches 1963 Bedford VAS / Ansair "Luxury Coachette". After being immobile for 4yrs, #16 is mobile again The paint may have faded badly over the years, but nothing that some elbow grease won't fix (y) A huge thank you to Peter Ford for getting it running again In the next few days, she'll be heading to our depot at Campbell Town, courtesy McDermott Coaches. A big thank you to Peter & Simon McDermott for your generous offer (y) Very much appreciated. The Maxwell family had run the Cradle Mtn shuttle for 50yrs before passing the reins to McDermotts who continue the tradition. The Society are truly grateful for this working connection for two tourism entrepreneurs, showcasing part of Tasmania's wilderness region, just like the Society showcase Tasmania's transport history.

19.01.2022 This week's (delayed) Flashback Friday was inspired by a post on another FB page showing the old Golden Fleece service station at Queenborough (near Wrest Point Casino) Back in the day, trolleybuses terminated at Queenborough on a short working of the Sandy Bay, to facilitate football crowds amongst others. In this 1968 photo, we see B.U.T trolleybus #222 turning at the Queenborough terminus, whilst B.U.T #220 continues through to Sandy Bay. Over the years there were many ext...ensions to the Sandy Bay line, including Lord St, then Queenborough/Lambert Ave, Waimea Ave then the now disused but famous Sandy Bay turning circle at Nutgrove Beach. Many a driver will recall the layover time at Sandy Bay Beach This particular photo shows how much change has occurred on this corner (Nelson Rd/Sandy Bay Rd) over the years, although the service station remains (albeit now Caltex, but that too will change in the near future) and the Travellers Rest Hotel. Today's Flashback Friday photo is courtesy of Bruce Tilley #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

17.01.2022 Flashback Friday this week features a long-time operator from many years ago. Spinks Coaches have been involved in the bus industry in the NW Coast for on/off over 80yrs. Oswald Spinks bought his first run back in 1933 which came with a 1928 Dodge, running from Waratah to Burnie. Later, he purchased this 1935 Dodge and in those days, was competing with the Emu Bay Railway until they ceased in 1940. Other vehicles over the years included a Leyland truck, OB Bedford and a Hudso...n Terraplane. The business was sold in 1951, however over the years Oswald's son John got heavily involved with buses and nowadays John's son continues the legacy with Austrips. But they can both trace their roots back to their Dad/Grandfather who started their fascination with the industry back in the 1930s. The TBCS thanks John Spinks for the family history and for this week's Flashback Friday photograph John Spinks. #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

16.01.2022 FlashBack Friday this week features the old Metropolitan Transport Trust buses of Launceston. Launceston had a variety of different vehicle styles, mostly hand-me-downs from Hobart, but occasionally they did receive new buses. One such example were these 1955 / 7 AEC Regal Mk.IVs ( 8 delivered to L'ton, 4 in '55 then 4 in '57 ) These differed from Hobart units, as Hobart had two-doors, whilst the L'ton units had the single door. In this 1980s photo, we see MTT 376 (1955 AEC R...egal Mk.IV) departing Howick St depot (which has stood for almost 90yrs) to commence a school special. All these buses (inc.Hobart's) were sold to operators in NSW with one (#391) surfacing two years ago, unfortunately in a very sad state :'( . These buses were built with City Bodyworks bodies in Moonah (suburb of Hobart) Photograph courtesy Bruce Tilley collection #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

15.01.2022 Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society's 2021 calendar. The Society produce these calendars featuring Tasmanian Buses only, as a fundraiser for our restoration projects. If you'd like one, payment of $15 + $3.50 for postage to > Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society - BSB 037-009 Acct 22 3410. Leave surname as reference and comment PAID.

13.01.2022 The Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society are pleased to announce another addition to our ever growing fleet of Tasmanian public transport vehicles. Neil Cooley from Tamar Valley Coaches has generously donated a 1988 Volvo B10M midi-bus. Originally owned by Tassielink/Tigerline the coach has been in Tasmania for almost 30yrs. After a pressure clean enroute to our depot, she performed well and will make a great addition to our fleet, being very versatile because of it's size. The Society THANK Neil Cooley for his generous offer of another quality Tasmanian luxury coach for our collection.

12.01.2022 Heading back south again for this week's Flashback Friday, down to the Huon Valley. Ray Griggs operated the Golden Fleece service station in Huonville from 1974 before getting into the buses in the early '80s. He bought the Swamp Road run from his brother and still operate this run 37yrs later. This old Austin (pictured) came with the run and Ray's daughter Cathy, (who still runs the business) fondly remembers this being the first bus she drove, split shift gearbox and front ...engined. Over the years the vehicles improved, extra runs were acquired and nowadays Griggs Student Transport (as it's known) operate about 4-5 contract services. The family business has come a long way since the '80s with modern seat-belted vehicles on some of the runs, but it's good to look back and see our roots/history and what kids back in the day, had to travel to/from school in :) #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs Photograph Bruce Tilley Tasmanian Collection See more

11.01.2022 Over the last few weeks, I have been fortunate to talk to many long-time operators from across the N & NW of Tasmania. Their stories have been amazing, learning their history and what got them started in buses. Our FlashBack Friday photo today features one such operator from the NW Coast, Kerger Coaches in Penguin. Kergers started almost 50yrs ago in 1972, buying 2 runs from H.Atkinson. In later years, Laurie Kerger was joined by his son Russell (who later bought the busines...s) A lot of their runs centred around Penguin HS and nowadays they run 8 buses on 6 contracts with State Growth. Like many early operators, their fleet consisted ex MTT buses, with a few coaches from other local operators, however one 'rarity" in the fleet was this Volvo B58 with Duple body. This was probably their first real luxury touring coach, one used when working with Tasmanian Tours & Travel, a collaboration with 4-5 operators across the NW to operate extended tours. Nowadays Kergers concentrate their operations on school charter and their contracted runs, but using later model coaches fitted with seat-belts. Today's FlashBack Friday photo is courtesy Russell Kerger. #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

10.01.2022 In the mid-1980s, Don Hazell (Hazell Bros Group) entered the bus industry by acquiring Ayers Motor Service, which included New Norfolk, Channel, Huon, Port Arthur, Richmond and East Coast services. They set about upgrading the fleet, mainly with Scania K92s initially and later K93 / K113. There were also a few underpowered Mercedes Benz. They branded their operation HOBART COACHES. In the late 1990s, Hazell's expansion led to them rebranding their touring arm to tigerLINE and... a complete new striking livery. In the late '80s, Don Hazell had introduced some new luxury coaches to their operation and these Scania "Hi-Decks" were mainly to compete with Redline on the Main Rd service to Burnie as well as extended touring around TAS and interstate. They were some of the first to receive the new tigerLINE livery. Nowadays, Hobart Coaches & tigerLINE are a distant memory, (sold 1999) although revived by the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society with the original HC41 & tigerLINE38. This week's Flashback Friday features tigerLINE #46 - 1988 Scania K113TR / PMC Apollo "Hi-Deck" in its attractive new livery in 1997. #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

09.01.2022 Flashback Friday today features a small operator from the far NE Coast at Binalong Bay. Doug Ray operated a school run from Binalong Bay into St Helens. Prior to Ray, the service was run by Masons and later passed (after Ray in early 2000s) to R&M Leonard of St Helens and later still, to J.D.Leonard whom still operate school buses in St Helens. Here in this 1998 photo, we see Doug Ray's 1977 Volvo B58-56 / Domino Hedges posed for a photo (presumably at St Helens) Nowadays you...'d be hard pressed to find small 1-2 bus operators anywhere across Tasmania, as the majority have been acquired and gobbled up by big operators (something the Govt prefer) But, it is great to look back on these small operators from yesteryear, the family businesses that built the school bus network across this beautiful state. Photograph/history courtesy Geoffrey Foster #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

09.01.2022 Great to see the Society getting recognition in a national industry magazine. Thank you to Volvo Buses for all your support of our heritage vehicles (y)

09.01.2022 Tasmanian Redline Coaches is a 4th generation family owned business and have been operating since 1929, making them the oldest bus business in TAS. Originally started by Percy Larissey with taxis, the business expanded into buses soon after in 1929. Over the years the company grew, none moreso than the 1980s when they acquired the statewide operation of Tasmanian Coach Lines from Charlie Ayers. At that time, Frank Larissey (Percy's son) was in charge and the company grew rapi...dly. After the untimely death of Frank in the 1990s, eldest son Michael took over the reins and nowadays next generation Rowan is learning the business to take the helm in years to come. Over the 90yrs, TRC have had an exceptional variety of buses/coaches, from the famous Dennings, Mercedes, Bedfords, Leylands and nowadays are predominantly Chinese bodies with Cummins running gear. Along with services covering all parts of Tasmania, Redline also contracted to many mainland tour companies. Names like Australian Pacific APT, Globus, Travelmarvel, Evergreen, Murrays, McCaffertys, Tassie's own Tasbureau to name just a few. One more well known name was Ansett Pioneer (founded by Reg Ansett) TRC had a few coaches painted in Ansett Pioneer livery specifically for those tours, and our Flashback Friday photo today features one of the luxurious O303 Mercedes Benz coaches used for that purpose. Seen outside Tasmanian Redline's Launceston workshop in 1988, is #15 - 1979 Mercedes Benz O303 / Ansair "Miss Scamander". Although the livery is quite basic, it did look very smart (y) Photograph courtesy Bruce Tilley collection #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

06.01.2022 Thank you to our great friends/supporters at Bridgestone Select Moonah for checking the tyres on the Society's 1963 Bedford, as she is about to embark on a trip north to our depot at Campbell Town. Thanks for your advise & help Peter Killick (y)

05.01.2022 Cresswell Coaches have been in business for over 70yrs, with Angela Fell (Cresswell) taking over the reigns from her parents John & Carol (Carol still involved in the operations). Prior to John, John's father Jack began the business. The Cresswell name has been around the bus industry since what seems like eternity, with Jack's brother Mervyn (featured a few weeks ago) having Ace Bus Service. Jack Cresswell established his business in the inner suburb of West Hobart, where th...e business remained until John's death in 2019. In the early days Jack built his own bodies, mainly on Reo & Ford chassis, then (as with many operators) commenced using the successful Bedford chassis, on the YMT, YRT or later SB platform. This week's Flashback Friday photo, shows one of the YRT Bedfords with the Ansair "Styleliner" step-up body (very stylish for the time) These coaches were used extensively around Australia and in Tasmania, extensively on extended/day tours. This photo (from 1978) shows Cresswell Coaches #3 (1976 YRT3 Bedford / Ansair) parked at Pirates Bay lookout, enroute to Port Arthur operating a Tasbureau extended tour (one of the many operators across the state) that operated for the then Tasmanian Government tourism arm. Pirates Bay is a popular location with magnificent views over the Tasman Peninsula, down to Hippolite Rock and over Eaglehawk Neck. TBCS thank member and long-time enthusiast Geoffrey Foster for this week's historic photo. Photo Geoffrey Foster #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

04.01.2022 This week, we head to the wild West Coast township of Queenstown. In the very early days (prior to proper roadways) cars/trucks/buses were transported in from the north by train. The opening of the roads, led to development of West Coast townships, but unfortunately nowadays, these townships are struggling to stay alive. In Queenstown (the main township in the west), there was a time when they had their own bus operators. Mr J.Mudge, who ran a town school run and one from up ...the top of the hill towards Hobart as well as offering minibuses for charter. Mudge's final big bus was this Bedford YRT3 / PMCSA ex Portsea Passenger Service (still in Peninsula / Portsea livery) seen doing the town school run. Johnny Mudge also ran taxis and operated a Mee bodied Austin 28 seater on the Lake Margret school run in the mid 70's. There was also another Queenstown based operator as well who ran local town services, mine office workers service, town school service and the Gormanston / Princess River school service and operated as Queenstown Bus Service (QBS). Their fleet at the time was half cab AEC Regals (ex HMT-MTT) and a Hedges VAM. Later the Regals were replaced with 3 ex MTT CAC/Bedfords. Photograph courtesy Bruce Tilley History Geoffrey Foster & late Stephen Jones #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

04.01.2022 Back to the south again, this time Lansdowne Cres West Hobart, just after Charlie Ayers (Tasmanian Coach Lines/Ayers Motor Service) had acquired the Government operated Green Coach Lines. Charlie had the family home at 7 Lansdowne Cres (am I right Tim) which had a large rear yard which facilitated parking for numerous buses and a workshop (spent many a childhood day "driving" the buses there, whilst my father worked on the petrol bowsers) :) Here in this shot, we seen some o...f the recently acquired Green Coach Lines fleet, including (front > rear) SB Bedford / CAC then Ansair Commer Avenger, Ansair Flxible Clipper and finally in shot, a SB Bedford / Comair. There have been numerous photos of buses parked in the street at this location over those early years of Mr Ayer's takeover, this particular one comes from the Ted Lidster collection, and is our Flashback Friday photo for this week (y) Photograph Ted Lidster (used with permission) #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more

03.01.2022 The Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society have finally got Maxwell Coaches' "Luxury Coachette" back on the road. However, because of it's age, rather than drive it the 120km to Campbell Town to join the other Society buses, McDermott Coaches generously offered to tilt-tray the Bedford, ensuring it arrived safely. The Society THANK Peter McDermott for transport, and the Maxwell family for entrusting us with another historic vehicle from yesteryear (y)

02.01.2022 More modern vehicles for Tasmania's regional areas. Technology has certainly come a long way, and its good the Society can showcase how buses/coaches have developed over the years with our selection of heritage vehicles. Well done Saintys North East Bus service

02.01.2022 *Update 8/9/20**Due to a cancellation there are now 10 x seats now available on the 19th Sept. **RED DECKER NEW NORFOLK MARKET SPECIAL- Two dates only.-Sat 19t...h Sept & Sat 10th October 2020** - - - Join one of two special Double Decker trips to New Norfolk. These two trips are highly discounted as they are to test the local market for the potential to have further similar trips in the future. -Departs the city @11am and returning from New Norfolk @2pm with pick ups/drop offs also at Glenorchy & Granton. This is an ideal trip for families and for people of all ages. -Bookings essential. For further information or to book on these two special trips please visit our website or by phoning 0362369116. See more

01.01.2022 Morse's Coaches operated for over 75yrs in/around Devonport, initially operating the local suburban routes as well as school/charter services. Today's Flashback Friday photo shows Morse's 1960s SB3 Bedford with Comair VIC body running down Stewart St on a service to Miandetta via Old Coast Road, which would have been a long-way around. Miandetta being a suburb of Devonport up near Stony Rise. In later years, Morse's sold the suburban services to Mersey Bus Co then came Invict...a, Hobart Coaches/Inter-City then Merseylink (under Duckett ownership) before the big company we've seen grow over recent years as Merseylink, under the Bingley ownership. Merseylink/Bingley Group bought the last of Morse's school runs in 2018, ending 75yrs of the Morse name in public transport. This photo comes to us courtesy of Bruce Tilley, an avid transport enthusiast for over 50+yrs Photo Bruce Tilley #fbf #flashbackfriday #tbcs See more