SmartBus 901: Frankston - Ringwood - Melbourne Airport

[BroadGauge]

Pretty sure they only go to Ringwood. I could be wrong. If i am I'm sure i'll be told.

Last week I had to use the 901 three times from Wantirna to Ringwood, and my luck was that every single bus I caught had a Tullamarine driver . I'm not sure where the next usual point for driver swap-overs is south of Ringwood.

On the 902 I've definitely had Tullamarine drivers as far south as the Grendas depot in Keysborough, I don't know if they run many trips to Chelsea or not.

[krustyklo]

There was a driver on a late night 902 last night talking to another passenger who claimed (if I heard correctly) he was going back to Tullamarine when he finished the run and also that he had a 2 hour layover without pay in Keysborough as part of his shift that day. So presumably they go that far at least if he is correct.

[dex]

Well there you have it! Krusty, youll find the driver probably isnt paid for 90 minutes. Any more is considered a split shift.

[krustyklo]

Krusty, youll find the driver probably isnt paid for 90 minutes. Any more is considered a split shift.

Just going by what he said!

Out of interest, what sort of difference would it make between not being paid for 90 minutes (which considering you're sitting at Keysborough on the other side of Melbourne to Tullamarine does seem a little rough, it's not like you can duck home for an hour) and a split shift? Are there extra benefits to it being a split shift, or is it just the luck of the draw?

[Craig]

Tullamarine drivers do make it to Chelsea on a regular basis. As it takes less than 3 hours to reach Keysborough from Airport West, they can easily continue onto Chelsea & back to Keysborough before a meal break.

Not sure how many Tullamarine shifts have drivers going all the way out to Frankston, but I've caught one from Frankston once with a TBL driver at the wheel.

Kind Regards


Craig

[jarf]

I'm not sure where the next usual point for driver swap-overs is south of Ringwood.

Cheltenham Rd, adjacent to the Grenda's depot.

[dex]

Krusty, i wouldnt know really we dont do split shifts. As to what he said, could be true, in this day and age anythings possible. I couldnt imagine many benefits to a split shift. Maybe a snooze?

[lukey boy]

Does anyone know weather the 901 will serve South Morang station once the Epping line is extended to South Morang?

[kizazzz28]

It will be served by the 901. A new bus interchange will be built next to the station. It would be pretty annoying if it didn't considering it currently stops only a few hundred metres away at Plenty Valley Shopping Centre

[B7RLE]

Speaking to a tulla driver last night and he said he gets to franga about once every second day and his on the 901 902 roster

[dex]

Well, lucky bugger....whoops, i mean unlucky bugger

[krustyklo]

Speaking to a tulla driver last night and he said he gets to franga about once every second day and his on the 901 902 roster

Become a bus driver, see the world...

[dex]

hahaha.. i really laughed out loud then...

[EastsideRandomiser]

Talked to quite a few drivers on 903 and they said they usually do it from Centre Road to Altona and then taking the company car back to Centre Rd. Sounds like 901 is even worse.

[dex]

I think they spend more time driving the cars!!

[venturatiger]

Hi, 903 Cars are in the main used as

North fitzroy Depot to either Essendon or Northland ( 5 Cars )

Altona Depot to either Altona Station or Sunshine Station ( 3 Cars )

Oakleigh Depot to Oakleigh Station or Box Hill ( 1 Car )

Cheers Venturatiger

[Peter1805]

Thanks for that clarification, mate.

I think we can safely say that EastsideRandomiser is talking through his proverbial...

[Paul_Nicholson]

It was suggested on the 3AW rumour file this morning that the bus stops along Maroondah Highway are causing disruption to motor traffic and will be reconstructed to the "lay by" style.

Paul in Melbourne

[tranzitjim]

It was suggested on the 3AW rumour file this morning that the bus stops along Maroondah Highway are causing disruption to motor traffic and will be reconstructed to the "lay by" style.

Paul in Melbourne

I also heard that.

[EastsideRandomiser]

Thanks for that clarification, mate.

I think we can safely say that EastsideRandomiser is talking through his proverbial...

Nah I am still learning about the bus network in Melbourne and how all the driver shifts work etc. I might have overheard it wrongly and posted the wrong thing on here.

[Peter1805]

Well, you said you had talked to quite a few 903 drivers, which is clearly a lie.

So do your research and get your facts straight before you comment.

[EastsideRandomiser]

Well, you said you had talked to quite a few 903 drivers, which is clearly a lie.

So do your research and get your facts straight before you comment.

Sorry, would not do it again.

[B7RLE]

Grendas have a certain amount of staff cars for the orbitals which go around the different depots eg Invicta,Grenda,Tullamarine and dysons these cars have Tullamarin,dysons and grenda logo on the back

[712M]

Two questions:

1. Do Grenda's drivers vary between 900/901/902 runs as well as regular bus routes and charter runs or do they usually stay to the same roster?

2. Are there plans any time soon to extend route 902 to Werribee? If so will Grendas, East West or TBL order more buses or will another company join the club? (Westrans, Sita, Ventura?)

[Leyland B21]

I can answer the first question, Keysborough drive the 902 orbital only, Confirmed by a couple of drivers i know at Keysborough along with a few other routes , namely 811 / 812, 858, 709s, i believe 885s are in the mix but need someone else to confirm this, Also aware they cover a couple of Dandy Shifts as part of Keysborough Shifts but 901 is not included nor the 900.

I cant answer about charters as i have no knowledge, best someone from Grenda answer it if allowed to give the info!!!