View source for Busways

{{Short description|Australian bus company}}
{{about|the Australian bus operator|the former English bus operator|Busways Travel Services|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox bus transit
|name             = 
|logo             = Busways logo 2019.svg
|logo_size        = 250px
|image            = 20230727_Sydney_Bus_Route_506.jpg
|image_size       = 250px
|image_caption    = A [[Custom Coaches]] bodied [[Volvo B7RLE]] in July 2023
|company_slogan   =
|parent           = Rowe family
|commenced        = {{start date and age|1942}}
|ceased           = 
|headquarters     = [[Pymble]]
|service_area     = [[Adelaide]]<br />[[Sydney]]<br />[[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]]<br />[[Mid North Coast]]
|service_type     = Bus services
|routes           = 
|hubs             = 
|destinations     =
|depots           = 20
|fleet            = 1335 (June 2025)
|leader           = Byron Rowe<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.busways.com.au/about-us/company|title=Our Company|website=Busways|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-date=9 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309151919/https://www.busways.com.au/about-us/company|url-status=live}}</ref>
|leader_type      = Managing Director
|website          = {{URL|http://www.busways.com.au/}}
}}
[[File:Busway logo.svg|thumb|right|The Busways logo between 2008 and 2019]]
'''Busways''' is an Australian bus company operating services in [[Sydney]], and in the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]], [[Mid North Coast]] regions of [[New South Wales]] and [[Adelaide]]. It is the largest privately owned bus operator in Australia.<ref name=mar2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.busways.com.au/news-items/busways-extends-service-operations-south-australia-appointed-new-operator-adelaide|title=Busways extends service operations to South Australia, appointed new operator of Adelaide's Outer South contract|publisher=Busways|date=10 March 2020|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Busways (mo 9701) Custom Coaches 'CB60' bodied Scania K230UB at Castle Hill Interchange.jpg|thumb|A [[Custom Coaches]] bodied [[Scania K UB|Scania K230UB]] at [[Castle Hill, New South Wales|Castle Hill]] in July 2013]]
[[File:Busways (mo 9707) Bustech 'VST' bodied MAN 18-310 HOCL-R-NL at Castle Hill Interchange (1).jpg|thumb|A [[BusTech]] 'VST' bodied [[MAN Truck & Bus|MAN]] {{not a typo|18-310}} in old white livery]]
The origins of Busways can be traced to 1942 when Dick Rowe commenced a hire car service from [[Rooty Hill, New South Wales|Rooty Hill]] to [[Plumpton, New South Wales|Plumpton]]. In 1946 Rowe purchased his first bus and further expansion saw a depot established in Plumpton in 1958.<ref name=History>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110226092426/http://www.busways.com.au/about_us/company_profile The History of Busways] Busways</ref><ref name=FleetListing>{{cite book|title=New South Wales Bus Operators and Fleet Listings|year=1993|publisher=[[Historic Commercial Vehicle Association]]|location=Sydney|page=41}}</ref>

In 1958, in partnership with Fred Bowman, Rowe purchased [[Delwood Coaches|Parramatta-Villawood Bus Service]] followed by [[Campbelltown, New South Wales|Campbelltown]] Transit on 13 May 1967 in partnership with Roger Graham and Jim Newport. In 1970, Rowe had taken full ownership of Campbelltown Transit and in January 1978 sold out of Parramatta-Villawood.<ref name=History/><ref name=FleetListing/><ref name=AustralianBusJul14>"Contractor changes in Sydney regions 2 and 15" ''[[Australian Bus]]'' issue 64 July 2014 pages 36/37</ref><ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=DEV Delwood Coaches] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505111410/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=DEV |date=5 May 2014 }} Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref>

In 1984, [[Riverstone, New South Wales|Riverstone]] Bus Service was purchased and merged with Rowe's Bus Service. In June 1986 Higlett's Motor Coach Services, [[Camden, New South Wales|Camden]] was purchased and rebranded [[Macarthur (New South Wales)|Macarthur]] Coaches.<ref name=History/><ref name=FleetListing/><ref name=AustralianBusJul14/><ref>"What Has Changed in 20 Years" ''[[Australian Bus Panorama]]'' 14/2 October 1998 page 8</ref>

In 1988, Campbelltown Transit, Macarthur Coaches and Rowe's Bus Service were all rebranded as Busways.<ref>"Name change" ''[[Fleetline (periodical)|Fleetline]]'' June 1990 page 96</ref> In February 1990 the Seargent's, [[Charmhaven]] business on the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] was purchased<ref>"Ownership changes" ''Fleetline'' June 1990 page96</ref> followed in July 1994 by the neighbouring Peninsula Bus Lines business in [[Kincumber]], [[Ourimbah]] and [[Umina]].<ref name=History/><ref>"Peninsula Buslines" ''Australian Bus Panorama'' 10/2 August 1994 page 54</ref>

In June 1991, the Campbelltown to [[Wollongong]] service of Farmborough Coaches was acquired.<ref name=FleetListing/> In November 1992 Busways took over operation of the routes of Leslies, [[Arndell Park]] following its collapse before purchasing them in May 1993.<ref name=FleetListing/><ref>"Private operators" ''Fleetline'' September 1993 page 193</ref>

In September 2003, Busways purchased the [[Great Lakes Council|Great Lakes]] and [[Mid North Coast]] services of [[King Brothers (bus operator)|King Brothers]] from its administrator.<ref name=ABC24Sep03>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-09-24/bus-firm-buys-failed-king-bros-business/1482972 Bus firm buys failed King Bros business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204005716/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-09-24/bus-firm-buys-failed-king-bros-business/1482972 |date=4 December 2014 }} ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'' 24 September 2003</ref><ref name=BuswaysSep03>{{cite web|url=http://www.busways.com.au/page.cfm?category=12|title=Busways purchased King Bros Bus Group|website=Busways|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031010024915/http://www.busways.com.au/page.cfm?category=12|archive-date=10 October 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2008 the school services of [[Yarramalong Bus Lines]], [[Wyong]] were purchased<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=PAY Yarramalong Bus Lines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108051515/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=PAY |date=8 November 2014 }} Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref> followed by those of [[Kulnura, New South Wales|Kulnura]] Bus Lines in July 2009.<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=KUL Kulnura Bus Lines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109063404/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=KUL |date=9 November 2014 }} Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref>

Between 2014 and 2015, Busways attempted to venture overseas by submitting a bid for the [[Bus contracting model of Singapore|Bulim Bus Package]] in Singapore. It was among the 10 local and foreign bus operators who had submitted a bid for the tender. The bid was ultimately unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.busways.sg/news/|title=News|website=Busways Singapore|archive-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315053525/http://www.busways.sg/news/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-bus-tender-draws-11-bidders|work=The Straits Times|location=Singapore|title=First bus tender draws 11 bidders|date=20 January 2015|accessdate=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155256/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-bus-tender-draws-11-bidders|archive-date=11 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Busways was successful in expanding its bus operations outside of New South Wales, when it was awarded the contract to operate the Outer South bus network in [[Adelaide]]. Busways took over the operations from [[SouthLink]] in July that year.<ref name=mar2020/>

==Current operations==
===Western Sydney services===
[[File:Busways Bustech CDi.jpg|thumb|[[Bustech]] CDi double decker, running route T75]]
Since 2005, Busways' services in the [[Blacktown]] area have formed part of [[Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts|Sydney Bus Region 1]], held in partnership with [[Westbus]] and [[Hawkesbury Valley Buses]]. Operating from a depot in [[Glendenning]], scheduled route and school services cover an area encompassed by [[Seven Hills, New South Wales|Seven Hills]] and [[Castle Hill, New South Wales|Castle Hill]] in the east; [[Rouse Hill]] and [[Riverstone, New South Wales|Riverstone]] in the north; [[Shalvey]] and [[St Marys, New South Wales|St Marys]] in the west; [[Minchinbury, New South Wales|Minchinbury]] and [[Prospect, New South Wales|Prospect]] to the south.

The regional centres of Blacktown and [[Mount Druitt]] are a focus for all services, with trips also serving the employment centres of [[Eastern Creek, New South Wales|Eastern Creek]], [[Huntingwood]] and [[Macquarie Park]]. Bus/train connections are provided at a variety of railway stations. Busways also operates services along the [[North-West T-way]] between Blacktown and Rouse Hill.

In March 2007, the Parramatta - Rouse Hill section of the [[North-West T-way]] opened. Bus routes 730 (renumbered T63) and 735 (renumbered 616, now 616X) were transferred from Busways to [[Hillsbus]] while bus route 718 was transferred from Hillsbus to Busways.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070830192105/http://www.busways.com.au/viewnews.asp?newsid=233 Improved bus services in the Blacktown region] Busways 27 February 2007</ref> In November 2007, the Blacktown - Parklea of the North-West T-way opened. Existing Busways bus routes were amended and renumbered to become new T-way routes (T70, T71, T74 and T75) and ran mainly along the new section.

In October 2013, Busways after winning the tender for [[Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts|Sydney Bus Region 1]], took over the operation of services in the [[St Marys, New South Wales|St Marys]], [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]], [[Windsor, New South Wales|Windsor]] and [[Richmond, New South Wales|Richmond]] areas from [[Hawkesbury Valley Buses]] and [[Westbus]].<ref name=SMH7Nov12>[http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/cut-costs-or-bus-contracts-will-go-to-private-sector-minister-tells-drivers-20121106-28w5t.html Cut costs or bus contracts will go to private sector, minister tells drivers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305174724/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/cut-costs-or-bus-contracts-will-go-to-private-sector-minister-tells-drivers-20121106-28w5t.html |date=5 March 2013 }} ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' 7 November 2012</ref><ref name=Busways7Nov12>[http://www.busways.com.au/information/news/busways-wins-300-bus-contract-western-sydney Busways win a 300 bus contract in Western Sydney] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426024709/http://www.busways.com.au/information/news/busways-wins-300-bus-contract-western-sydney |date=26 April 2013 }} Busways 7 November 2012</ref>

In May 2019, as part of the [[Sydney Metro]] opening, all Busways T-way services were renumbered from "T7x" to "73x", and the former Hawkesbury Valley Buses services (661–664) were renumbered to "67x" or "74x". Some services were also rerouted to stop at [[Tallawong railway station|Tallawong station]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.busways.com.au/service-updates/western-sydney-bus-service-adjustments-26-may|title=Western Sydney bus service adjustments from 26 May|website=Busways|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507014811/https://www.busways.com.au/service-updates/western-sydney-bus-service-adjustments-26-may|archive-date=7 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 2022 and 2023, the contract for region 1 was put out to tender and was subsequently retained by Busways. The new contract commenced in December 2023 for a period of seven years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.busways.com.au/news-items/busways-retains-bus-operations-rapidly-expanding-western-sydney|title=Busways retains bus operations in rapidly expanding Western Sydney|publisher=Busways|date=23 February 2023|access-date=25 March 2023|archive-date=25 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325030848/https://www.busways.com.au/news-items/busways-retains-bus-operations-rapidly-expanding-western-sydney|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sydney North Shore & West services===
[[File:Busways Scania L113CRL 3693.jpg|thumb|An [[Ansair|Ansair 'Orana']] bodied [[Scania L113|Scania L113CRL]] at [[Huntleys Point ferry wharf]] in August 2024]]
In July 2021, Busways was announced as the new operator for [[Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts|Sydney Bus Region 7]] in the [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]], [[Northern Suburbs|Northern]] and [[Greater Western Sydney|Western]] regions of Sydney. Busways commenced operating Region 7 on 9 January 2022 as part of an eight-year contract, taking over from [[State Transit Authority|State Transit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.busways.com.au/news-items/busways-sydney-operations-more-double-award-one-transport-nsws-largest-bus-contracts|title=Busways' Sydney operations more than double with award of one of Transport for NSW's largest bus contracts|publisher=Busways|date=30 July 2021|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730002543/https://www.busways.com.au/news-items/busways-sydney-operations-more-double-award-one-transport-nsws-largest-bus-contracts|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/2107/busways-wins-sydney-region-7-bus-contract Busways wins region 7 bus contract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730044329/https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/2107/busways-wins-sydney-region-7-bus-contract |date=30 July 2021 }} ''[[Australasian Bus & Coach]]'' 30 July 2021</ref>

===Central Coast services===
The [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] has services provided under the [[Sydney Outer Metropolitan Bus System Contracts|Outer Metropolitan Bus System Contract Region 6]]. This contract with the [[Government of New South Wales|NSW Government]] covers a broad area that stretches from [[Patonga]] and [[Wagstaffe, New South Wales|Wagstaffe]] in the south through to [[Swansea, New South Wales|Swansea]] and [[Morisset]] in the north; and [[Dooralong]] and [[Mangrove Mountain]] in the west to [[Terrigal]] and [[MacMasters Beach]] in the east.

With depots at [[Kincumber]] and [[Woongarrah]], the key centres served by Busways routes include Gosford, [[Tuggerah]], Wyong, [[Lake Haven]], [[Erina Fair]] and [[Woy Woy]]. Occasional trips also serve [[Charlestown, New South Wales|Charlestown]] in the north and [[Spencer, New South Wales|Spencer]] in the west.

Between 2021 and 2023, the contract for region 6 was put out to tender and was subsequently retained by Busways. The new contract will commence on 28 July 2024 for a period of seven years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.busways.com.au/news-items/services-continue-smoothly-new-central-coast-bus-contract-starts|title=Services continue smoothly as new Central Coast bus contract starts|publisher=Busways|access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

===North Coast services===
In September 2003, Busways purchased the services of [[King Brothers (bus operator)|King Brothers]] on the [[Mid North Coast]] from its administrator.<ref name="ABC24Sep03" /><ref name=BuswaysSep03/> Busways provides services throughout [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]], [[Kempsey, New South Wales|Kempsey]], [[Wauchope, New South Wales|Wauchope]], [[Laurieton]], [[Coffs Harbour]], [[Port Macquarie]], [[Yamba, New South Wales|Yamba]], [[Bulahdelah]], [[Heatherbrae]], [[Macksville, New South Wales|Macksville]] and [[Raleigh, New South Wales|Raleigh]].

===Adelaide Outer South services===
[[File:Busways Bus No. 2801 @ Noarlunga Centre Interchange - RV90 - 20240917-112950.jpg|thumb|A [[Volgren]] bodied [[Scania L94UA]] and a [[Bustech]] bodied [[Scania K series|Scania K320UB Hybrid]] at [[Noarlunga Centre railway station|Noarlunga Centre Interchange]] in September 2024]]
In July 2020, Busways took over Adelaide's Outer South network from [[SouthLink]], including the Lonsdale and Seaford depots.

==Former operations==
===Macarthur services===
From 2005 Busways' services in the [[Macarthur Region]] formed [[Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts|Sydney Bus Region 15]]. Operating from depots at [[Campbelltown, New South Wales|Campbelltown]] and [[Smeaton Grange]], route and school services operated as far east as [[Kentlyn]] and [[Wedderburn, New South Wales|Wedderburn]]; south to [[Appin, New South Wales|Appin]] and [[Wollongong]]; west to [[The Oaks, New South Wales|The Oaks]] and [[Warragamba]]; and north to [[Catherine Field]] and [[Raby, New South Wales|Raby]].

Regional and district centres such as Campbelltown, [[Macarthur Square]], [[Narellan]] and Camden were the focus of all routes. Busways operated the free Macarthur CBD shuttle which was terminated in August 2014. In June 2014 operation of the [[Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts|Sydney Bus Region 15]] passed to [[Busabout Sydney|Busabout]].<ref name=AustralianBusJul14/><ref name=TransportNSW29Aug13>[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/more-60-new-buses-and-improved-customer-service-new-bus-contracts More than 60 new buses and improved customer service with new bus contracts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908074902/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/more-60-new-buses-and-improved-customer-service-new-bus-contracts |date=8 September 2013 }} Transport for NSW 29 August 2013</ref><ref name=Busways18Apr14>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140418220602/http://www.busways.com.au/region/campbelltown Busways Campbelltown May 2014], Retrieved 18 April 2014</ref>

===Coach services===
Rowe's Bus Service previously operated coach services with a fleet of six [[Denning (bus manufacturer)|Dennings]] until the coach licences were sold to Westbus in 1986. Macarthur Coaches also operated some coaches that were sold in 1990.<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?search=HUT Hunt's Coaches] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726221156/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?search=HUT |date=26 July 2013 }} Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref> Until October 2011 Busways operated a service from [[Forster, New South Wales|Forster]] to Sydney. Busways operate coach services from [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]] to [[Taree]] under contract to [[NSW TrainLink]].

==Fleet==
Having traditionally purchased [[Leyland Bus|Leyland]] buses, in November 1978 the first of 30 [[Volvo B58]]s were delivered. Since then, Busways have purchased buses from [[MAN Truck & Bus|MAN]], [[Mercedes-Benz buses|Mercedes-Benz]], [[Scania AB|Scania]] and [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]]. In the 1970s the Rowe fleet livery was white with a red stripe, with an orange stripe added in 1988. Since 2010, the blue and white [[Transport for NSW]] livery has been applied to the Sydney and Central Coast fleets.

As of June 2025, Busways operates 1,201 buses in NSW, including 36 electric buses,<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/bus.php?flsummary=BUS Busways] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726085549/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/bus.php?flsummary=BUS |date=26 July 2013 }} Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref> and 134 buses in Adelaide. Busways operates a total of 1,335 buses across Australia.

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Busways (Australia)}}
*[http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=119 Bus Australia gallery]
*{{Official website|https://www.busways.com.au/}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{List of public transport operators in Sydney}}
{{Regional NSW public transport|state=collapsed}}
{{Adelaide public transport}}

[[Category:Bus companies of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Bus companies of South Australia]]
[[Category:Bus transport in Sydney]]
[[Category:Mid North Coast]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1942]]
[[Category:Transport in Adelaide]]
[[Category:Transport on the Central Coast (New South Wales)]]
[[Category:Australian companies established in 1942]]