Quince's Scenicruisers
Quince's Scenicruisers is a bus and coach charter operator in Melbourne, Australia.
Parent | Australian Transit Group |
---|---|
Headquarters | Oakleigh |
Locale | Melbourne |
Service type | Bus & coach charter operator |
Fleet | 35 (May 2016) |
Website | www.quinces.com.au |
History
In 1951 Quince's Scenicruisers operated route 103A Oakleigh - Clayton - Moorabbin.[1] In 1967 Quince's joined with Melbourne Motor Coach Service and McGeary's Parlor Coaches to form Australian Pacific Tours.[2] Quince's later withdrew from the partnership.
After the State Government decided to open private routes to open tender, in 1988 Quince's were awarded the rights to operate some services of Ventura Bus Lines and Waverley Transit.[3] Waverley Transit won a legal case and the contract between Quince's and The Met was ruled void.[4]
Quince's had already taken delivery of 24 Hino AC140s and 40 Mercedes-Benz O405s. These entered service on two new routes 634 Middle Brighton station - Monash University/East Clayton and 705 Springvale - Mordialloc.[4]
Following 18 months of unsuccessful negotiations with the Department of Infrastructure over a new contract, Quince's relinquished their route licences in February 1998. By this stage they were operating routes 615 Box Hill - North Balwyn, 631 Westfield Southland - Mitcham station, 634 Lilydale - Monash University, 705 Mordialloc - Springvale, 708 Mordialloc - Carrum and 731 Camberwell - North Balwyn. These were split amongst Invicta Bus Services, Moorabbin Transit, National Bus Company and Ventura Bus Lines.[5] Since then it has operated as a bus and coach charter operator. In September 2015 the business was purchased by the Australian Transit Group.
Fleet
As at May 2016 the fleet consisted of 35 buses and coaches.[6]
References
- Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Operators and Fleet Listings. Melbourne: Bus & Coach Society of Victoria. 1991. p. 55.
- Tilley, Bruce (1984). Melbourne Private Bus Fleets Volume 1. Elizabeth, South Australia: Railmac Publications. p. 4. ISBN 0 949817 34 1.
- Bus company fights Met over routes The Age 15 April 1988
- "Victorian Buses in the Eighties" Australian Bus Panorama issue 7/1 August 1991 page 5
- "Quince" Australian Bus Panorama issue 13/5 April 1998 page 47
- Quinces Scenicruisers Australian Bus Fleet Lists