Rail and private operator observations 2024

[Skyblue1]

There is a temporary bus park at Eagle Farm tafe for Thompsons for rail replacement.
Lots of hired in dealer stock being used including a tri axle Volgren in all over red with sun visors. I was on CBL37 this morning. Seems Thompsons have a tri axle double decker same being used by Translink on the Gold Coast.

quote=pasha241 post_id=1105775 time=1703328342 user_id=17078]
Yesterday and today i saw a lot of thompsons bus parked at Eagle farm (near TAFE). Is thompsons had new depo located at Eagle farm or that just temporary depo for Rail replacement long weekend. Also i only saw the o405nh and the double decker there i not see any Thompsons bus with Translink livery.
[/quote]

[Skyblue1]

So much variety on the rail replacement services from Roma St to Northgate. Main operator is Thompsons with what looks like registered into stock ex Ventura Buslines, Dandenong VIC, caboolture bus lines, Mt Gravatt and Kinetic stock from Gold Coast to name a few. Also seen a Volgren in white with NSW plates.

[Skyblue1]

Does anyone know who owns XO 49 WN at all? Seen at Northgate on Rail replacement newly repainted in Translink green / white it looks like a Bustech Mercedes 0405NH. There was another one parked up on the same street.

[James00]

Logan coaches have the Bustech 0405NH's.

The white volgrens on NSW plates are new for CDC.

If you jump on Flickr and look up Matthew Browne you'll find a heap of pics with details of who owns what.

[Skyblue1]

Logan coaches have the Bustech 0405NH's.

The white volgrens on NSW plates are new for CDC.

If you jump on Flickr and look up Matthew Browne you'll find a heap of pics with details of who owns what.

Thanks mate. I’ll have a look for sure.

A side note I seen ex Hornibrook 45 this morning heading to Northgate on Rail replacement. A lot more Kinetic buses on the route to Roma St this morning.

[Skyblue1]

Currently on all scania Wide Bay Transit 120 to Northgate. What a shed but classic. Also it’s ex BCC 803.

[BT Enthusiast]

Currently on all scania Wide Bay Transit 120 to Northgate. What a shed but classic. Also it’s ex BCC 803.

I saw it still had its CNG cylinder housing, do you know if it has been converted to Diesel?

[LB608]

Hi All
I am from NZ does anyone know the rego's of the buses from CDC NSW,for the Rail Shutdown i only know of 3452MO

[Merc1107]

Currently on all scania Wide Bay Transit 120 to Northgate. What a shed but classic. Also it’s ex BCC 803.

I saw it still had its CNG cylinder housing, do you know if it has been converted to Diesel?

Nobody outside TfB would have CNG refuelling facilities, nor are they particularly cheap to install & the buses are beyond the age at which the CNG tanks would've needed replacement. Think Wide Bay's might be the Cummins repowered ones, but don't quote me on that.

Ex 734 and 774 with Original Tours were reportedly converted to LPG but their registrations seemed to have lapsed some time ago.

[James00]

I saw it still had its CNG cylinder housing, do you know if it has been converted to Diesel?

Think Wide Bay's might be the Cummins repowered ones, but don't quote me on that.

I'm going to quote you because you are correct.

[James00]

Hi All
I am from NZ does anyone know the rego's of the buses from CDC NSW,for the Rail Shutdown i only know of 3452MO

9960MO, 9962MO, 9963MO are some.

[Skyblue1]

Seems a few new buses on the RR runs today. Veolia have many running the R618 plus a silver Volgren numbered 1569 and silver Thompsons 78

[LB608]

The known CDC Buses on rail are
3452MO Blanch's Ballina
9960MO Forest Coach Lines Sawtell
9962MO Forest Coach Lines Sawtell
9963MO Q City Transit Queanbeyan

[Skyblue1]

The known CDC Buses on rail are
3452MO Blanch's Ballina
9960MO Forest Coach Lines Sawtell
9962MO Forest Coach Lines Sawtell
9963MO Q City Transit Queanbeyan

I’m on a CDC Volgren now but didn’t get reg. it’s NSW plate but has CDC Canberra on the front.

[Skyblue1]

I was on CDC 8803MO with Canberra logo’s. Very quiet and comfy drive tbh.
Now how do I get a tri axle from Thompson!!! Lol

[LB608]

Now we Know there are 2 from Canberra
8803MO
9963MO

[pasha241]

Seems a few new buses on the RR runs today. Veolia have many running the R618 plus a silver Volgren numbered 1569 and silver Thompsons 78

was the silver volgren is o405NH and with black stripe at the top. Like Ths. If that bus that is 1563 not 1569. (This number is the one that they use on Transperth fleet).

speaking of Thompsons i am surprise they bringback their old bustech for rail replacement (Surprise they didnt bring their renault there).

talking about Eagle farm depo it look like the bus that put in here is the bus from; Thompsons, Wide bay, CDC loan bus, CBL bus (CMIIW if there are more bus in this depo).

[Skyblue1]

Seems a few new buses on the RR runs today. Veolia have many running the R618 plus a silver Volgren numbered 1569 and silver Thompsons 78

was the silver volgren is o405NH and with black stripe at the top. Like Ths. If that bus that is 1563 not 1569. (This number is the one that they use on Transperth fleet).

speaking of Thompsons i am surprise they bringback their old bustech for rail replacement (Surprise they didnt bring their renault there).

talking about Eagle farm depo it look like the bus that put in here is the bus from; Thompsons, Wide bay, CDC loan bus, CBL bus (CMIIW if there are more bus in this depo).

The silver bus was defo 1569, wish I grabbed a pic now but it was all over silver. I’m 99% certain there was no black stripe. Same front light cluster tho.
Loving the variety, there is talk these will be back in June / July and maybe next Xmas time but new buses are on the horizon

[Merc1107]

1569 is not listed on Perthbus as having any operator since it left the Transperth fleet. A photograph and any other supporting information submitted per the guidelines would undoubtedly be appreciated by the operator of that list.

speaking of Thompsons i am surprise they bringback their old bustech for rail replacement (Surprise they didnt bring their renault there).

Given the shutdown affects large parts of the core of the SE rail network, a large number of buses would be required to match the sort of capacity needed to handle passenger numbers (even if they are depressed this time of year), and I'd say it's preferable to be using accessible vehicles oriented towards route service versus high-floor coaches or school buses on this sort of running.

Loving the variety, there is talk these will be back in June / July and maybe next Xmas time but new buses are on the horizon

New deliveries can only come as quickly as the Government is willing to have them made, and for all the Government is beaming with excitement over their announcement of new buses, there are presumably a lot of details that may be subject to change over time for any number of reasons. I think it's safe to say this variety will persist for a while yet.

[Skyblue1]

TP1569 was withdrawn in April 2020 with Swan Transit but reinstated in Nov 2023. Whether this is back with Swan or sold on I’m not sure but if I see it again I’ll get a pic. Info on Perthbus website.

[Skyblue1]

Currently on 101 GJT ex Skybus 60 Victoria tri axle. Must say the interior is real nice. Would be great as school buses but need the drivers side luggage racks ripping out for more seating.

[1whoknows]

They've been left in for suitcases etc when on gold coast rail as they were purchased primarily for rail not for school charters.

[Skyblue1]

Currently on 1563 ex Transperth TP1563. Loving the variety of buses at the moment.

[verbatim9]

I was on the Shoreline Route 280 yesterday and was lucky to experience the new zero emission bus with the new internal PIDs. Unfortunately the audio announcements were disabled for some reason.

[ScaniaGrenda]

Lonestar 90LON, Scania K310IB Irizar destroyed by fire on the M1, fire is believed to have started in the engine bay (per media reports)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNjuCzYpGY

Only shy of being a year old.