Routes 45 | Commenced operation 4 August 2013 Service type Bus operator | |
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Hubs Box Hill CentalFootscrayMelbourne CBDStockland The PinesRingwoodSt KildaSunshineWestfield DoncasterWestfield Southland | ||
Transdev Melbourne is an Australian bus operator in Melbourne operating a fleet of over 500 buses on 45 routes. It commenced operations in August 2013, taking over all Melbourne Bus Link and National Bus Company routes, as well three SmartBus routes. It operates approximately 30% of Melbourne's bus network. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Australasia.
Contents
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. In May 1999 the Bosnjaks sold the business to National Express Group and again in September 2004 to Ventura Bus Lines. 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.
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. From ten expressions received, a shortlist of five bidders was selected in August 2012 with FirstGroup, Keolis Downer, National Bus Company (Ventura Bus Lines), Transit Systems, and Transdev invited to tender. In April 2013 Transdev were awarded the franchise, with operations commencing on 4 August 2013. The franchise will run for seven years with an option to extend for a further three years.
Routes
Transdev Melbourne originally 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.
Fleet
Transdev Melbourne inherited a fleet of approximately 500 buses from Melbourne Bus Link, Ventura Bus Lines ex National Bus Company, and SmartBus operators. As at December 2016, the fleet consisted of 515 buses.
The Public Transport Victoria white and orange diamonds livery is being applied, except to SmartBus liveried buses that will remain this livery.
Depots
Transdev Melbourne operate from five depots, with two satellite depots. 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 operated out of Keysborough depot (formerly owned by Grenda's Bus Service), as well as two interim satellite depots at Dyson's Bus Services in Reservoir, and Tullamarine Bus Lines in Airport West, with a requirement to establish a more permanent storage solution by 2017.
New depots opened at Heatherton, Sunshine West and Thomastown in September 2016, October 2016 and March 2017 to replace the Sandringham, Footscray and satellite depots respectively. The Doncaster and Fitzroy North depots are also being rebuilt as part of an upgrade program. A temporary depot was set up in North Melbourne while these works occurred.