Buslines Group

Buslines Group

Dubbo Buslines Bustech bodied Mercedes-Benz OC500LE in July 2013
Parent	Frank D'Apuzzo Peter Simpson
Commenced operation	1943
Headquarters	Burwood
Service type	Bus services
Depots	10
Fleet	290 (December 2013)
Operator	Ballina Buslines Bathurst Buslines Berrima Buslines Dubbo Buslines Griffith Buslines Lithgow Buslines Northern Rivers Buslines Orange Buslines Picton Buslines Tamworth Buslines
Website	www.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] In March 2000 Picton Omnibus Service was purchased.^[1]

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.^[1]

In April 2008 the Lismore to Brisbane service was sold to Premier Motor Service. 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.^[1] John A Gilbert also operated a bus dealership in Guildford.

Subsidiaries

Bathurst Buslines

A typical bus stop in Bathurst

Jones Bros Bus Company has seven routes, plus three Macquarie Mover Shuttles that operate in and around Bathurst. No Jones Bros bus services operate on Sundays and public holidays.

In major centres, Jones Bros Bus Company 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.

Lithgow Buslines

Jones Bros has eight services that operate in and around Lithgow.

Jones Bros has three services that operate between Lithgow and Bathurst.

Fleet

As at January 2014 the fleet consisted of 290 buses.^[1] 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.

References