Slogan We're Moving You Ceased operation 3 August 2013 Routes 41 Motto We're Moving You | Commenced operation 27 December 1993 Service type Bus services Headquarters Melbourne, Australia Founded 27 December 1993 | |
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Service area North, North-East, Eastern Melbourne Depots Fitzroy North, Doncaster, Croydon Parent organizations Ventura Bus Lines, Ventura Motors Pty. Ltd. Hubs Westfield Doncaster, Northland Shopping Centre, Stockland The Pines, Deakin University Stations Box Hill railway station, Melbourne | ||
National Bus Company was an Australian bus operator in Melbourne. Formed in December 1993 by Jim and Carol Bosnjak following the privatisation of some of the Public Transport Corporation's Melbourne bus services, it also held the pair's 57% shareholding in Sydney operator Westbus. In August 1997 it purchased Brisbane operator Bayside Buslines.
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In May 1999 National Bus Company was purchased by British coach operator National Express. In September 2004 National Express sold its Melbourne operations to Ventura Bus Lines, and Brisbane operations to Connex. In August 2013 National Bus Company's Melbourne services were transferred to Transdev Melbourne.
History
In 1993 the Kennett State Government put the state owned Public Transport Corporation services up for privatisation. The tender was won by Jim Bosnjak and sister in law Carol, who together held 57% of the shares in Sydney operator Westbus.
National Bus Company commenced operations on 27 December 1993 with a fleet of 61 Volvo B59 and 170 MAN SL200 former Public Transport Corporation buses and two depots located at Doncaster and Fitzroy North.
National Bus Company placed an order for 157 Newnham Custom bodied Mercedes-Benz LO812 and O405 buses. The LO812s were introduced under National's plan to introduce bus services in local areas previously not serviced by bus routes, along the lines of the Nepean Nipper scheme introduced in 1993 by Westbus in Penrith, the O405s were to replace older buses inherited from the Public Transport Corporation.
In September 2004 the Melbourne operations of National Bus Company were purchased by Ventura Bus Lines. At this time the company operated 268 buses along 44 northern and eastern suburbs bus routes.
In April 2013 Transdev Melbourne won the tender to operate the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise from August 2013. The franchise operates 30% of Melbourne's services including those of National Bus Company. National Bus Company ceased operating on 3 August 2013.
Depots
Fleet
When operations ceased in August 2013, National Bus Company operated 276 buses. Upon formation in 1993, National Bus Company adopted the same cream and red colours as related company Westbus. It later adopted an all yellow livery before the two shades of blue of Ventura Bus Lines was adopted in 2004.
Brisbane
In August 1997 National Bus Company purchased the services of Bayside Buslines, Capalaba from Geoff Todd. In September 2004 National Express sold the business to Connex.