Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Here is a look back at Briscoes Bus And Coach Services in Adelaide.You are welcome to contribute anything related to these companies from any year.Thanks.
The original bus company started in the southern suburbs operating bus services to the city.I think their depot was on Murray Road Port Noarlunga.Does anyone know what year the company originally started? What did their fleet consist of by the time MTT bought them?
At some point,the buses and service runs were bought by the Metropolitan Tramways Trust (MTT) in Adelaide.
The tour work continued privately.
The CMV group of companies owned by Jim Crawford, bought the coach company, then based the company within their South Road Regency Park premises with other CMV businesses,on the corner of South Road and Taminga Street.Kenworth was one of the business there too.
I remember one of Briscoes Freighter bodied Bedford that were replaced by new vehicles ,were sold by CMV's own "Truckland CMV" also at Regency Park on the corner of South Road and Kateena Street.They were mainly white with green stripes.,the same as the buses on the
Mt Barker service runs.My late father Jack Sellick was general manager there in the late 70s/early 80s. At least 2 were bought by Johnson's Coaches Aldgate around mid 1980s.Those 2 vehicles were based at the Aldgate depot not at Associated Tourists Service Queenstown depot.
Briscoes operated the Mount Barker Passenger service.They covered Strathalbyn,Macclesfield,Flaxley,Hahndorf,
Mt Barker,Bridgewater,etc to the city.This was later bought and run privately.I think Harold and Dudley Briscoe and others were part owners.Other service runs were sold off too.One was bought by one of the drivers who drove the service run to Barossa Valley.I think the service run to Yorke Peninsula was sold too.
Ansett Briscoes ran the service between Adelaide and Alice Springs using Denning Denair's.
Briscoes owed the first Volgren Twin Decks in Adelaide.They owed 2.They also owned a 12.2 metre PMC Adelaide bodied Volvo coach,several Denning Denairs,various single axle buses and coaches.And the Van Hool bodied Volvo.(refer photos below).
They also had the PMC Adelaide B10M articulated coach.Also featured in Truck & Bus magazine.Which edition? Where is that coach now? What was the story on that coach? I added a photo of a PMC Adelaide Apollo bodied Scania photo shown.Its livery is around 1984 onwards.Was the Scania one of theirs?
Bus Australia ended up at CMV on South Road Regency Park around 1988.They also used the same depot as Briscoes.Not sure what the connection was between Bus Australia and Briscoes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_Australia
The 2 Briscoes Volgren Twin Decks also got used on the Bus Australia express services.And the 2 original Across Australia Coachlines Twin Decks were sold too.One was sold to Ambassador in NSW who used it on express services.It was ex AAC #55.Does anyone know what happened to ex AAC #54?
Is there a fleet list for Briscoes?
Whatever happened to the Van Hool bodied Volvo they had? I saw that while I was working at Truckland CMV during 1979/80.
Here is the Truck & Bus magazine article below.
Here is an original post regarding the coach:
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... =6&t=65672
The original bus company started in the southern suburbs operating bus services to the city.I think their depot was on Murray Road Port Noarlunga.Does anyone know what year the company originally started? What did their fleet consist of by the time MTT bought them?
At some point,the buses and service runs were bought by the Metropolitan Tramways Trust (MTT) in Adelaide.
The tour work continued privately.
The CMV group of companies owned by Jim Crawford, bought the coach company, then based the company within their South Road Regency Park premises with other CMV businesses,on the corner of South Road and Taminga Street.Kenworth was one of the business there too.
I remember one of Briscoes Freighter bodied Bedford that were replaced by new vehicles ,were sold by CMV's own "Truckland CMV" also at Regency Park on the corner of South Road and Kateena Street.They were mainly white with green stripes.,the same as the buses on the
Mt Barker service runs.My late father Jack Sellick was general manager there in the late 70s/early 80s. At least 2 were bought by Johnson's Coaches Aldgate around mid 1980s.Those 2 vehicles were based at the Aldgate depot not at Associated Tourists Service Queenstown depot.
Briscoes operated the Mount Barker Passenger service.They covered Strathalbyn,Macclesfield,Flaxley,Hahndorf,
Mt Barker,Bridgewater,etc to the city.This was later bought and run privately.I think Harold and Dudley Briscoe and others were part owners.Other service runs were sold off too.One was bought by one of the drivers who drove the service run to Barossa Valley.I think the service run to Yorke Peninsula was sold too.
Ansett Briscoes ran the service between Adelaide and Alice Springs using Denning Denair's.
Briscoes owed the first Volgren Twin Decks in Adelaide.They owed 2.They also owned a 12.2 metre PMC Adelaide bodied Volvo coach,several Denning Denairs,various single axle buses and coaches.And the Van Hool bodied Volvo.(refer photos below).
They also had the PMC Adelaide B10M articulated coach.Also featured in Truck & Bus magazine.Which edition? Where is that coach now? What was the story on that coach? I added a photo of a PMC Adelaide Apollo bodied Scania photo shown.Its livery is around 1984 onwards.Was the Scania one of theirs?
Bus Australia ended up at CMV on South Road Regency Park around 1988.They also used the same depot as Briscoes.Not sure what the connection was between Bus Australia and Briscoes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_Australia
The 2 Briscoes Volgren Twin Decks also got used on the Bus Australia express services.And the 2 original Across Australia Coachlines Twin Decks were sold too.One was sold to Ambassador in NSW who used it on express services.It was ex AAC #55.Does anyone know what happened to ex AAC #54?
Is there a fleet list for Briscoes?
Whatever happened to the Van Hool bodied Volvo they had? I saw that while I was working at Truckland CMV during 1979/80.
Here is the Truck & Bus magazine article below.
Here is an original post regarding the coach:
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... =6&t=65672
- Attachments
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- New Denning Denair at the factory.
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- PMC Adelaide Apollo bodied Scania 12.2 metres.
Was this coach delivered to Briscoes? - 6.236 (812 x 602).jpg (105.27 KiB) Viewed 13635 times
- PMC Adelaide Apollo bodied Scania 12.2 metres.
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- VH2 001 (604 x 812).jpg (101.77 KiB) Viewed 13687 times
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- VH3 001 (530 x 816).jpg (131.9 KiB) Viewed 13687 times
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- VH4 001 (607 x 820).jpg (135.24 KiB) Viewed 13687 times
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- VH5 001 (592 x 812).jpg (170.64 KiB) Viewed 13687 times
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- VH6 001 (575 x 814).jpg (199.75 KiB) Viewed 13687 times
Last edited by Denv12 on Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:35 am, edited 6 times in total.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Just to put things right, Bus Australia did not become part of the CMV grouo.
When I get some time I will go through this, subject to confidentiality agreements.
When I get some time I will go through this, subject to confidentiality agreements.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Was it Briscoe's that had the Volvo artic coach?
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
@ The Museum of Fire.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
No, Briscoes did not own or operate that Scania but the livery inspired a later Briscoes livery.
The Volvo Artic coach was operated by Briscoes and Murtons for that matter, on the Adelaide to Broken Hill service (when Murtons were part of Briscoes and CMV) - the artic was a great concept, but a handful to drive with its multiple speed manual gearbox (maybe 13 speeds) and it rode badly in the trailer - it was a B58 with air of leaf spring suspension. the end of the artic came care of one of those ultra low bridges in Melbourne - the front section was rebuilt as a rigid (and again rode very badly with a rear suspension that was set up for the extra weight of an artic) and the trailer part was scrapped. Again Murtons used the rebuilt coach for a little while, but it was very unpopular, for the reason mentioned.
The Volvo Artic coach was operated by Briscoes and Murtons for that matter, on the Adelaide to Broken Hill service (when Murtons were part of Briscoes and CMV) - the artic was a great concept, but a handful to drive with its multiple speed manual gearbox (maybe 13 speeds) and it rode badly in the trailer - it was a B58 with air of leaf spring suspension. the end of the artic came care of one of those ultra low bridges in Melbourne - the front section was rebuilt as a rigid (and again rode very badly with a rear suspension that was set up for the extra weight of an artic) and the trailer part was scrapped. Again Murtons used the rebuilt coach for a little while, but it was very unpopular, for the reason mentioned.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Didn't the artic get used on Ansett's ADL to CBR service at one stage?
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
@ The Museum of Fire.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Yes, it was trialed by Ansett Pioneer from Canberra, but I am not sure to where. I have a vague recollection of someone mentioning that it was trialed on the Canberra - Sydney service, but I am not sure. By the time I joined Briscoes it was a member of their charter fleet.
There is someone from whom I may be a able to find out a little more!!
There is someone from whom I may be a able to find out a little more!!
Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Thanks Tim. I appreciate your input here.Tim Williams wrote:Just to put things right, Bus Australia did not become part of the CMV grouo.
When I get some time I will go through this, subject to confidentiality agreements.
Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
What was the original name of Briscoes bus company when they ran the bus services from the southern suburbs? Did they own tour coaches at the same time? Or,did Briscoes introduce their tour coach company at a later date? What year did Briscoes start the Alice express service where the name was Ansett Briscoes? Thanks.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
I must find the time to provide a detailed answer to your enquiry, having worked for Briscoes for 3 years in a key position (Finance and Admin Manager + Depot Manager at Regency Park) and then Bus Australia/Briscoes for about one or more years (Group Accountant and Southern Area Operations Manager).
In fact, it was Jim Crawford and two other senior people who interviewed for the Briscoes position - as I have said, I will try and set aside time to go through things!!
In fact, it was Jim Crawford and two other senior people who interviewed for the Briscoes position - as I have said, I will try and set aside time to go through things!!
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Looking back on this topic, I do note that I have made a comment in the past to go through the interesting history of this period with Briscoes/Bus Australia - now hopefully within a couple of weeks!!!
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
As I was employed by Briscoes and subsequently Bus Australia, during the 1980's, I will need to keep this fairly "broad Brush".
Briscoes in the 1980’s was quite a diverse operation and was a wholly owned subsidiary of the CMV Group.
It operated and managed one half of the Central Bus Station in Franklin Street, including looking after Ansett Pioneer’s ticketing, departures and so on.
Briscoes had an extensive fleet in those days based at their modern workshop and operations at Regency Park. Coaches were purchased from Denning and also CMV Voltruck at Gepps Cross, mostly with PMC bodies.
The main fleet operations were:
1. Tours, touring and charter work.
2. The Alice Express, a franchise express service from Adelaide to Alice Springs and eventually Darwin, for and on behalf of Ansett Pioneer.
3. Snow field weekends to Falls Creek in Victoria (an accommodation lodge was company owned.)
4. Country route services to York Peninsula and the Barossa Valley (both later sold).
5. Route services to Mount Barker and Strathalbyn.
A city based travel agency was also owned and operated, which specialised in domestic and international organised group tours and the selling of Briscoes products such as the snow weekend tours.
Ansett Briscoes name was a trading operation that put together and ran domestic tours in conjunction with Ansett Pioneer.
The fleet consisted of Dennings of various types, Volvo B58’s, B10M’s including Fuji Artics (for Mount Barker) and Volgren Twin Decks were purchased and operated. Innovative local Volvo prototypes flowed into the fleet from CMV Voltruck, when their demonstration period was over, such as the Van Hool bodied B58 and the B58/PMC artic coach mentioned several times on this board and a couple of B58’s and B10M’s with PMC bodies.
Murtons of Broken Hill was purchased in 1985, mainly for the long service between Adelaide and Broken Hill, 3 Dennings and 3 of 4 Hino/PMC coaches were retained but local operation in Broken Hill (including all the old Leylands and AEC’s + 1 Hino coach) was sold.
In the mid 1980’s Ansett Pioneer relinquished their own Adelaide depot and moved their fleet, drivers and local maintenance into Briscoes Regency Park Depot (which enabled me to have a drive of an MC9, what a wonderful coach, so suited for the task).
In late 1986 (I believe) Briscoes was merged into the WA based Across Australia operation to become the national Bus Australia Group and gradually the ex Briscoes fleet was repainted into the Bus Australia livery.
Bova coaches were the chosen coach type for Bus Australia and after the merger, their Adelaide base was moved from Bus Stop’s premises at 27 Provident Avenue Glynde (the old Lewis Bros depot) to Regency Park.
Briscoes in the 1980’s was quite a diverse operation and was a wholly owned subsidiary of the CMV Group.
It operated and managed one half of the Central Bus Station in Franklin Street, including looking after Ansett Pioneer’s ticketing, departures and so on.
Briscoes had an extensive fleet in those days based at their modern workshop and operations at Regency Park. Coaches were purchased from Denning and also CMV Voltruck at Gepps Cross, mostly with PMC bodies.
The main fleet operations were:
1. Tours, touring and charter work.
2. The Alice Express, a franchise express service from Adelaide to Alice Springs and eventually Darwin, for and on behalf of Ansett Pioneer.
3. Snow field weekends to Falls Creek in Victoria (an accommodation lodge was company owned.)
4. Country route services to York Peninsula and the Barossa Valley (both later sold).
5. Route services to Mount Barker and Strathalbyn.
A city based travel agency was also owned and operated, which specialised in domestic and international organised group tours and the selling of Briscoes products such as the snow weekend tours.
Ansett Briscoes name was a trading operation that put together and ran domestic tours in conjunction with Ansett Pioneer.
The fleet consisted of Dennings of various types, Volvo B58’s, B10M’s including Fuji Artics (for Mount Barker) and Volgren Twin Decks were purchased and operated. Innovative local Volvo prototypes flowed into the fleet from CMV Voltruck, when their demonstration period was over, such as the Van Hool bodied B58 and the B58/PMC artic coach mentioned several times on this board and a couple of B58’s and B10M’s with PMC bodies.
Murtons of Broken Hill was purchased in 1985, mainly for the long service between Adelaide and Broken Hill, 3 Dennings and 3 of 4 Hino/PMC coaches were retained but local operation in Broken Hill (including all the old Leylands and AEC’s + 1 Hino coach) was sold.
In the mid 1980’s Ansett Pioneer relinquished their own Adelaide depot and moved their fleet, drivers and local maintenance into Briscoes Regency Park Depot (which enabled me to have a drive of an MC9, what a wonderful coach, so suited for the task).
In late 1986 (I believe) Briscoes was merged into the WA based Across Australia operation to become the national Bus Australia Group and gradually the ex Briscoes fleet was repainted into the Bus Australia livery.
Bova coaches were the chosen coach type for Bus Australia and after the merger, their Adelaide base was moved from Bus Stop’s premises at 27 Provident Avenue Glynde (the old Lewis Bros depot) to Regency Park.
Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Thanks Tim Williams.
Its good to see the company history.It was a big company.
I remember the first Twin Deck of theirs.It was driven to the bus station by Jeff Brown.He was about to do a tour with it.To see what those coaches offered compared to every other coach on the road was amazing.That coach and the 2nd one did end up in the Bus Australia fleet colours.
Regards Denv12.
Its good to see the company history.It was a big company.
I remember the first Twin Deck of theirs.It was driven to the bus station by Jeff Brown.He was about to do a tour with it.To see what those coaches offered compared to every other coach on the road was amazing.That coach and the 2nd one did end up in the Bus Australia fleet colours.
Regards Denv12.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Here is an early photo of the Van Hool Volvo B58 - this maybe the first livery with Briscoes name on. I didn't take the photo and do not know who did - this scanned copy is not particularly clear
Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
This coach was featured in the Truck & Bus magazine December 15th 1978 edition.Photo on cover.Article featured on pages 70,71,72,73 and 84.
As shown in my earlier post.
This photo shows the coach in the usual colours at the time where it was mainly white with green stripes.Their Mount Barker service coaches were that colour too.
Update:
In the Truck & Bus magazine July 1980 there are 2 articles on Briscoes. One is in the Yesterday page. Its on page 62 and 63. Then the article on the coach company.That's from page 68 to page 72.There is even a photo of the Van Hool coach in this colour scheme on page 70 before it was repainted red,white and blue.
As shown in my earlier post.
This photo shows the coach in the usual colours at the time where it was mainly white with green stripes.Their Mount Barker service coaches were that colour too.
Update:
In the Truck & Bus magazine July 1980 there are 2 articles on Briscoes. One is in the Yesterday page. Its on page 62 and 63. Then the article on the coach company.That's from page 68 to page 72.There is even a photo of the Van Hool coach in this colour scheme on page 70 before it was repainted red,white and blue.
Last edited by Denv12 on Thu Jan 28, 2021 10:25 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
You are correct and the photo + article is above. Lovely coach to drive, the gearbox was fully automatic, I think it was an Alison. The only couple of problems with the coach was that the air-con (Thermo King) struggled a bit, on a hot day (all that wonderful curved glass and on such hot days, the engine was prone to over- heating. Maybe it was on fitted with a "tropical kit" (larger radiator etc.), as Volvos were normally OK in the heat.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
I think that this was the last livery for this coach, whilst in the Briscoes fleet - this is a scanned photo from a small print, I took the photo.
Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
I do recall the Ansett Pioneer move to Regency Pk. My Dad drove for Pioneer and remember going to that yard for various reasons over his time there,Tim Williams wrote:As I was employed by Briscoes and subsequently Bus Australia, during the 1980's, I will need to keep this fairly "broad Brush".
Briscoes in the 1980’s was quite a diverse operation and was a wholly owned subsidiary of the CMV Group.
It operated and managed one half of the Central Bus Station in Franklin Street, including looking after Ansett Pioneer’s ticketing, departures and so on.
Briscoes had an extensive fleet in those days based at their modern workshop and operations at Regency Park. Coaches were purchased from Denning and also CMV Voltruck at Gepps Cross, mostly with PMC bodies.
The main fleet operations were:
1. Tours, touring and charter work.
2. The Alice Express, a franchise express service from Adelaide to Alice Springs and eventually Darwin, for and on behalf of Ansett Pioneer.
3. Snow field weekends to Falls Creek in Victoria (an accommodation lodge was company owned.)
4. Country route services to York Peninsula and the Barossa Valley (both later sold).
5. Route services to Mount Barker and Strathalbyn.
A city based travel agency was also owned and operated, which specialised in domestic and international organised group tours and the selling of Briscoes products such as the snow weekend tours.
Ansett Briscoes name was a trading operation that put together and ran domestic tours in conjunction with Ansett Pioneer.
The fleet consisted of Dennings of various types, Volvo B58’s, B10M’s including Fuji Artics (for Mount Barker) and Volgren Twin Decks were purchased and operated. Innovative local Volvo prototypes flowed into the fleet from CMV Voltruck, when their demonstration period was over, such as the Van Hool bodied B58 and the B58/PMC artic coach mentioned several times on this board and a couple of B58’s and B10M’s with PMC bodies.
Murtons of Broken Hill was purchased in 1985, mainly for the long service between Adelaide and Broken Hill, 3 Dennings and 3 of 4 Hino/PMC coaches were retained but local operation in Broken Hill (including all the old Leylands and AEC’s + 1 Hino coach) was sold.
In the mid 1980’s Ansett Pioneer relinquished their own Adelaide depot and moved their fleet, drivers and local maintenance into Briscoes Regency Park Depot (which enabled me to have a drive of an MC9, what a wonderful coach, so suited for the task).
In late 1986 (I believe) Briscoes was merged into the WA based Across Australia operation to become the national Bus Australia Group and gradually the ex Briscoes fleet was repainted into the Bus Australia livery.
Bova coaches were the chosen coach type for Bus Australia and after the merger, their Adelaide base was moved from Bus Stop’s premises at 27 Provident Avenue Glynde (the old Lewis Bros depot) to Regency Park.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
I’ve been reading this post and learning new things about the business my Dad worked in for so many years. I’m Mark, and my Dad is Dudley Briscoe.
I can fill in some of the blanks from the perspective of family member.
Briscoes Motor Service, was the name of the bus service run from Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach to Adelaide. It was owned and operated by Alfred Briscoe. Alfred purchased this pre-existing bus service, however I don’t know the size or from who. He was running buses with multiple doors down the sides, and bench seats that ran the width of the bus. There were no centre isles.
Dudley started working for his Dad driving buses at the age of 18, which was when he obtained his bus driving license. This would of been around 1950/51. At this stage, the buses were all starting to have a single front door loading point for passengers and an isle with seats either side as we know them today. The bus depot was on Gawler Street Port Noarlunga.
Alfred passed away suddenly, leaving Dudley to run the business. Dudley’s brother Harold joined him at this point to help run the business. They had Hinos, Freighters and Bedfords. Briscoes Motor Service was now running to more destinations including Nornmanville, Second Valley, Delamere and Rapid bay. Dudley built a house next door to the bus yard on Gawler Street.
It was about 1976 when they sold out to the government. For the next 10 or so years, I’m not sure how events unfolded, but Dudley was travelling to Regency Park everyday from Port Noarlunga. This was where Briscoes Charter, Ansett Briscoes and CMV were based. I think this is were the Mount Barker and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Services were run from too? I have some notes here to say these parts of the business were run under the name of Briscoe Brothers, however I can’t confirm this. I remember going to Regency Park on occasion. One such time was the christening of the 2 new Volvo double deckers. The downstairs at the rear was a lounge and kitchenette. They were christened The Julianne and Vanessa Louise, after Harold and Dudleys daughters respectively. Amongst other trips, they were used for snow trips to Falls Creek.
In 1988 Dudley joined in partnership with Jim Crawford and Brian Bart (Barts Coaches) to run the Mount Barker Passenger Service and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Service from Brian’s depot on Oborne road in Mount Barker. The fleet included at least 4 ex Fuji Expo B10M articulated buses (#301, #302, #303, #304 and #306) One of these in Bus Australia livery. And two single axle Volgren bodied Volvo buses (#260 & #262) There was a Volvo coach with lazy axle rear, I think it had a Volgren body (#336) for the Yorke Penninsula run. Later on the Yorke Penninsula service would get the addition of an ex Barts Coaches Denning Denair, and the Mount Barker service would get an ex Barts Coaches Toyota Coaster for a feeder service picking up passengers from Inverbrackie, Nairne, and Littlehampton. There would also be another ex Fuji Expo B10M purchased from Alice Springs (#305 I think?) and a Leyland Tiger bus with semi-automatic gearbox for a dedicated school run. This bus would reside in Woodside mainly. Only one new bus was purchased, a Volgren bodied extra long rigid Volvo with lazy axle. This bus was 14.5metres long, the first of its type in Australia.
In 1988 the buses started out with Briscoes sign writing but were changed to become Mount Barker Passenger Service and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Service over time. The government would again buy out private bus companies and the Mount Barker Passenger Service would become Hills Transit. Dudley stayed with the government owned company which then became Transit Plus. Dudley retired with them in 2002.
With the changing of the Briscoes livery, it signalled the end of the Briscoes era. Some of the information is personal recordings, but most is from memory, so if you have more accurate information or extra information to add, that would be greatly welcomed. Also if you have any photos of Briscoes buses or coaches, I hope you can share them on this post. I have a few photos to share, but I’ll leave that for another time.
I can fill in some of the blanks from the perspective of family member.
Briscoes Motor Service, was the name of the bus service run from Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach to Adelaide. It was owned and operated by Alfred Briscoe. Alfred purchased this pre-existing bus service, however I don’t know the size or from who. He was running buses with multiple doors down the sides, and bench seats that ran the width of the bus. There were no centre isles.
Dudley started working for his Dad driving buses at the age of 18, which was when he obtained his bus driving license. This would of been around 1950/51. At this stage, the buses were all starting to have a single front door loading point for passengers and an isle with seats either side as we know them today. The bus depot was on Gawler Street Port Noarlunga.
Alfred passed away suddenly, leaving Dudley to run the business. Dudley’s brother Harold joined him at this point to help run the business. They had Hinos, Freighters and Bedfords. Briscoes Motor Service was now running to more destinations including Nornmanville, Second Valley, Delamere and Rapid bay. Dudley built a house next door to the bus yard on Gawler Street.
It was about 1976 when they sold out to the government. For the next 10 or so years, I’m not sure how events unfolded, but Dudley was travelling to Regency Park everyday from Port Noarlunga. This was where Briscoes Charter, Ansett Briscoes and CMV were based. I think this is were the Mount Barker and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Services were run from too? I have some notes here to say these parts of the business were run under the name of Briscoe Brothers, however I can’t confirm this. I remember going to Regency Park on occasion. One such time was the christening of the 2 new Volvo double deckers. The downstairs at the rear was a lounge and kitchenette. They were christened The Julianne and Vanessa Louise, after Harold and Dudleys daughters respectively. Amongst other trips, they were used for snow trips to Falls Creek.
In 1988 Dudley joined in partnership with Jim Crawford and Brian Bart (Barts Coaches) to run the Mount Barker Passenger Service and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Service from Brian’s depot on Oborne road in Mount Barker. The fleet included at least 4 ex Fuji Expo B10M articulated buses (#301, #302, #303, #304 and #306) One of these in Bus Australia livery. And two single axle Volgren bodied Volvo buses (#260 & #262) There was a Volvo coach with lazy axle rear, I think it had a Volgren body (#336) for the Yorke Penninsula run. Later on the Yorke Penninsula service would get the addition of an ex Barts Coaches Denning Denair, and the Mount Barker service would get an ex Barts Coaches Toyota Coaster for a feeder service picking up passengers from Inverbrackie, Nairne, and Littlehampton. There would also be another ex Fuji Expo B10M purchased from Alice Springs (#305 I think?) and a Leyland Tiger bus with semi-automatic gearbox for a dedicated school run. This bus would reside in Woodside mainly. Only one new bus was purchased, a Volgren bodied extra long rigid Volvo with lazy axle. This bus was 14.5metres long, the first of its type in Australia.
In 1988 the buses started out with Briscoes sign writing but were changed to become Mount Barker Passenger Service and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Service over time. The government would again buy out private bus companies and the Mount Barker Passenger Service would become Hills Transit. Dudley stayed with the government owned company which then became Transit Plus. Dudley retired with them in 2002.
With the changing of the Briscoes livery, it signalled the end of the Briscoes era. Some of the information is personal recordings, but most is from memory, so if you have more accurate information or extra information to add, that would be greatly welcomed. Also if you have any photos of Briscoes buses or coaches, I hope you can share them on this post. I have a few photos to share, but I’ll leave that for another time.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Some photos of Briscoes buses over the years.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Hi Mark,Mark Briscoe wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 3:43 pm I’ve been reading this post and learning new things about the business my Dad worked in for so many years. I’m Mark, and my Dad is Dudley Briscoe.
I can fill in some of the blanks from the perspective of family member.
Briscoes Motor Service, was the name of the bus service run from Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach to Adelaide. It was owned and operated by Alfred Briscoe. Alfred purchased this pre-existing bus service, however I don’t know the size or from who. He was running buses with multiple doors down the sides, and bench seats that ran the width of the bus. There were no centre isles.
Dudley started working for his Dad driving buses at the age of 18, which was when he obtained his bus driving license. This would of been around 1950/51. At this stage, the buses were all starting to have a single front door loading point for passengers and an isle with seats either side as we know them today. The bus depot was on Gawler Street Port Noarlunga.
Alfred passed away suddenly, leaving Dudley to run the business. Dudley’s brother Harold joined him at this point to help run the business. They had Hinos, Freighters and Bedfords. Briscoes Motor Service was now running to more destinations including Nornmanville, Second Valley, Delamere and Rapid bay. Dudley built a house next door to the bus yard on Gawler Street.
It was about 1976 when they sold out to the government. For the next 10 or so years, I’m not sure how events unfolded, but Dudley was travelling to Regency Park everyday from Port Noarlunga. This was where Briscoes Charter, Ansett Briscoes and CMV were based. I think this is were the Mount Barker and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Services were run from too? I have some notes here to say these parts of the business were run under the name of Briscoe Brothers, however I can’t confirm this. I remember going to Regency Park on occasion. One such time was the christening of the 2 new Volvo double deckers. The downstairs at the rear was a lounge and kitchenette. They were christened The Julianne and Vanessa Louise, after Harold and Dudleys daughters respectively. Amongst other trips, they were used for snow trips to Falls Creek.
In 1988 Dudley joined in partnership with Jim Crawford and Brian Bart (Barts Coaches) to run the Mount Barker Passenger Service and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Service from Brian’s depot on Oborne road in Mount Barker. The fleet included at least 4 ex Fuji Expo B10M articulated buses (#301, #302, #303, #304 and #306) One of these in Bus Australia livery. And two single axle Volgren bodied Volvo buses (#260 & #262) There was a Volvo coach with lazy axle rear, I think it had a Volgren body (#336) for the Yorke Penninsula run. Later on the Yorke Penninsula service would get the addition of an ex Barts Coaches Denning Denair, and the Mount Barker service would get an ex Barts Coaches Toyota Coaster for a feeder service picking up passengers from Inverbrackie, Nairne, and Littlehampton. There would also be another ex Fuji Expo B10M purchased from Alice Springs (#305 I think?) and a Leyland Tiger bus with semi-automatic gearbox for a dedicated school run. This bus would reside in Woodside mainly. Only one new bus was purchased, a Volgren bodied extra long rigid Volvo with lazy axle. This bus was 14.5metres long, the first of its type in Australia.
In 1988 the buses started out with Briscoes sign writing but were changed to become Mount Barker Passenger Service and Yorke Penninsula Passenger Service over time. The government would again buy out private bus companies and the Mount Barker Passenger Service would become Hills Transit. Dudley stayed with the government owned company which then became Transit Plus. Dudley retired with them in 2002.
With the changing of the Briscoes livery, it signalled the end of the Briscoes era. Some of the information is personal recordings, but most is from memory, so if you have more accurate information or extra information to add, that would be greatly welcomed. Also if you have any photos of Briscoes buses or coaches, I hope you can share them on this post. I have a few photos to share, but I’ll leave that for another time.
Wow, thanks for that info. There a lot of detail there that I was unaware of.
What a great story, and what an an achievement from your family.
We still have one of your Dad's old buses perserved as a part of our Historic fleet. Its a 1948 Diamond T that ran between the Briscoes Depots in Morialta St Adelaide and Gawler St Pt Noarlunga in the 50’s and early 60’s.
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Hi Mark
Just read all your info! Such a proud cousin & granddaughter moment. I remember your passion for buses when you were only a tiny fella & that remains today!
I think I can find exact dates on the company’s start up but will have to sift through papers. I know Alf Briscoe lost his job in the depression & he & his wife, Edna Briscoe, started up the Briscoe’s service with only 1 bus from memory. I know the dark green colour the buses were painted was later named Briscoe green. I can also find all the domestic routes Briscoe’s later took on. Up until a year or 2 ago I had no idea how big the domestic company became.
Does anyone want info on the routes or are you more interested in the buses & makes? Also is that preserved Diamond T the 1 in Willunga. I would absolutely love to see it if I could?
Sandy Brownrigg (granddaughter)
Just read all your info! Such a proud cousin & granddaughter moment. I remember your passion for buses when you were only a tiny fella & that remains today!
I think I can find exact dates on the company’s start up but will have to sift through papers. I know Alf Briscoe lost his job in the depression & he & his wife, Edna Briscoe, started up the Briscoe’s service with only 1 bus from memory. I know the dark green colour the buses were painted was later named Briscoe green. I can also find all the domestic routes Briscoe’s later took on. Up until a year or 2 ago I had no idea how big the domestic company became.
Does anyone want info on the routes or are you more interested in the buses & makes? Also is that preserved Diamond T the 1 in Willunga. I would absolutely love to see it if I could?
Sandy Brownrigg (granddaughter)
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
The preserved Diamond T was at Willunga, last seen at Port Pirie at the Stories From the Road Museum AUSTRALIA. Their only internet presence appears to be their facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/groups/500539467532146/
Bus Preservation Association of South Australia https://www.bpasa.org.au/
Tramway Museum St. Kilda https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide https://nrm.org.au/
Tramway Museum St. Kilda https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide https://nrm.org.au/
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
I can remember catching the Briscoes buses in the mid-late 1960's & 1970's from O'Halloran Hill to the city depot in Morialta Street. Also caught them from Darlington near the Flagstaff Hotel back home after school.
I remember the old Bedfords & Ansairs probably a bit more so than the Freighters & Hinos.
There was one Freighter which had "The Boneshaker" written in texta at the front of the bus above the driver. I think this was when the buses had changed to MTT or STA (can't exactly remember). Bus number 8319 seems to ring a bell.
Would be nice to see a photo of a Briscoes Ansair bus if anyone knows where I might find one.
Cheers,
Werner
I remember the old Bedfords & Ansairs probably a bit more so than the Freighters & Hinos.
There was one Freighter which had "The Boneshaker" written in texta at the front of the bus above the driver. I think this was when the buses had changed to MTT or STA (can't exactly remember). Bus number 8319 seems to ring a bell.
Would be nice to see a photo of a Briscoes Ansair bus if anyone knows where I might find one.
Cheers,
Werner
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Hi Werner,
I never photographed one in service, but here is ex-Briscoes Ansair Bedford SB5, STA fleet number 8306, shortly after withdrawal.
http://tessa.wisp.fastmail.com.au/1981. ... cyPark.jpg
Regards,
Will
I never photographed one in service, but here is ex-Briscoes Ansair Bedford SB5, STA fleet number 8306, shortly after withdrawal.
http://tessa.wisp.fastmail.com.au/1981. ... cyPark.jpg
Regards,
Will
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Re: Briscoes Bus And Coach Company.
Hi busben777,
I’ve admired that Diamond T bus for a very long time. Seen it in Hahndorf and in a few parades here and there, but have never had the opportunity to have a ride in it. Maybe one day. Dad always thought the Diamond T’s were a good bus to drive. I think he started his bus driving career driving in buses like that. When he retired, CMV Group drove their restored short wheel base Diamond T to the Aldgate depot for photo purposes. The driver of the Diamond T was telling dad how changing gears was a bit of a hit and miss affair, with some crunching going on at times. They offered dad a drive of it within the depot and he changed gears perfectly! Everyone was very impressed. I guess it was in his blood, as he wouldn’t of driven a bus light that for 40 or more years. Thanks for the photos, sorry it’s taken so long to reply.
I’ve admired that Diamond T bus for a very long time. Seen it in Hahndorf and in a few parades here and there, but have never had the opportunity to have a ride in it. Maybe one day. Dad always thought the Diamond T’s were a good bus to drive. I think he started his bus driving career driving in buses like that. When he retired, CMV Group drove their restored short wheel base Diamond T to the Aldgate depot for photo purposes. The driver of the Diamond T was telling dad how changing gears was a bit of a hit and miss affair, with some crunching going on at times. They offered dad a drive of it within the depot and he changed gears perfectly! Everyone was very impressed. I guess it was in his blood, as he wouldn’t of driven a bus light that for 40 or more years. Thanks for the photos, sorry it’s taken so long to reply.