Red Bus Services

For the Indian ticketing company, see RedBus.in

Red Bus Services is an Australian bus company operating route bus services on the New South Wales Central Coast.

History

In 1923 Messers Barham & Wells started a bus service between The Entrance and Wyong in opposition to a ferry service. In 1924 a service commenced between The Entrance and Gosford trading as The Red Bus Company - Tuggerah Lakes Motors. The business was sold in 1929 to the Sloman family and renamed The Entrance Red Bus Service. In 1946 a service between Gosford and East Springfield was purchased and renamed Gosford Bus Service.^[1]

In 1949, services from The Entrance to Wyong, The Entrance to Ourimbah and Ourimbah to Wyong were purchased. In 1952, local services in The Entrance were purchased giving The Entrance Red Bus Service control of all services operating in the area. In the early 1950s, Red Bus also operated coach services out of Newcastle, Gosford and Cooma and was the first mainland bus company to operate a coach to Tasmania. The Gosford to Kariong and Lisarow services were purchased and later sold. In December 1973, the Gosford to Matcham and Holgate service was acquired.^[1][2]

In June 1988, the Central Coast Airbus between Bateau Bay and Sydney Airport service commenced, ceasing in 2000.^[1][3][4] The Gosford Bus Service and The Entrance Red Bus Service names remained in use until the late 1990s when both were rebranded as Red Bus Services and all operations consolidated at the Bateau Bay depot.^[5]

Since 2008, Red Bus Services have formed Sydney Outer Metropolitan Bus Region 7.^[6]

Fleet

As at October 2014, the fleet consisted of 92 buses and three coaches.^[7] The fleet livery was red and cream until the Transport for New South Wales white and blue livery was adopted in 2010. The Central Coast Airbus fleet was painted in a grey, white red and yellow scheme.

References