Panorama Coaches

Volgren bodied MAN 19.320 on route 580 at Eltham station in September 2023
ParentDineen Group
HeadquartersDiamond Creek
Service areaNorth-East Melbourne
Service typeBus & coach operator
Routes5
Fleet116 (December 2024)[1]
Websitewww.panoramacoaches.com.au

Panorama Coaches is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It operates five routes under contract to Public Transport Victoria, as well as a large volume of school and charter work. It is a subsidiary of the Dineen Group.

History

In September 1949, Don Nugent and W McKenzie purchased Panorama Bus Service from H Jewell with route 699 from Belgrave to Upwey. The business was sold in August 1953 to Messrs Ashby and Jewell and for the next nine years, Nugent operated a taxi company. In November 1962, he purchased Boronia Bus Lines. A charter operation was established under the name Australian Rambler Coaches and the route services sold in September 1970 to Ventura Bus Lines.[2]

In October 1985, Nugent became a shareholder in the Clipper Tours business in Sydney. The Australian Rambler livery was adopted and a few coaches transferred.[3]

In January 1989, Australian Rambler Coaches was sold to Cobb & Co with Nugent retaining 15 coaches and reactivating the Panorama Coaches name.[4][5][6] In October 1990, Panorama Coaches was sold to the Dineen Group with 13 buses and coaches.[7][8]

In May 1991, Hurstbridge Coaches was purchased by the Dineen Group.[9] Both operations were later consolidated under the Panorama Coaches name.

Fleet

As at December 2024, the fleet consists of 116 buses and coaches.[1] Fleet livery is white with maroon and blue stripes while some route buses carry the Public Transport Victoria orange and white livery.

References

  1. ^ a b "Dineen Group - Panorama Coaches, Diamond Creek". Australian Bus Fleet Lists. Bus Australia. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  2. ^ Ventura Motors buys out Boronia Bus Lines Truck & Bus Transportation October 1970 page 125
  3. ^ New owners for Clipper Tours Group Truck & Bus Transportation December 1985 page 17
  4. ^ Don Nugent Flies into Semi-Retirement Australasian Bus & Coach February 1989 page 32
  5. ^ Australian Rambler Australian Bus Panorama issue 4/5 March 1989 page 34
  6. ^ Australian Rambler sold Fleetline issue 165 April 1989 page 60
  7. ^ Panorama Coaches Australian Bus Panorama issue 6/5 January 1991 page 49
  8. ^ Panorama Coaches Australian Bus Panorama issue 6/7 March 1991 page 40
  9. ^ Hurstbridge Coaches Australian Bus Panorama issue 7/1 August 1991 page 34

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