Telfords Bus & Coach, formerly Marrickville Bus Lines and latterly Kinetic Sydney, was an Australian bus company operating charter services in Sydney. it was a subsidiary of Kinetic.
History
In 1973, Marrickville Bus Lines was purchased by Max Holman from Barry Barton. In May 1977, the business was sold to Bob Wood and renamed Orana Tours. In January 1978, the business was purchased by Benny Rachwal and resumed trading as Marrickville Bus Lines. One route was operated, 222 Dulwich Hill to Sydenham.Telfords Bus & Coach sells to overseas interests Australian Bus issue 63 May 2014 pages 26-27
In January 1989, Marrickville commenced operating five routes in the White Bay/Bondi Junction/Marrickville areas on an interim basis after the collapse of ABC Coachlines.Ownership Changes Fleetline issue 164 March 1989 page 41 These were taken over by Arrow Coaches in April 1989.Ownership Changes Fleetline issue 168 July 1989 page 106 Marrickville also commenced providing buses for The Scots College. This segment of the business would grow rapidly, with Marrickville winning work from many Eastern Suburbs and Inner West schools.School Bus Services Telfords Bus & Coach
In the 1980s, Marrickville purchased the business of Telford Educational Tours.About Us Telfords Bus & Coach Having been renumbered to 448 in November 1987,Marrickville Metro Fleetline issue 149 December 1987 the remaining route was taken over by Sydney Buses in January 2004.Services Australian Bus issue 2 March 2004 page 4
In October 2013, Benny Rachwald died with the business passing to his sons, Robert and James.Benny's battle over; legacy lives on Australasian Bus & Coach 1 November 2013 In May 2014, Telfords was sold to Dunn Motor Traction.Telfords take over Australian Bus issue 64 July 2014 page 6Telford Tours Sold Australian Bus Panorama issue 30/1 July 2014 pages 11/12Yourbus’s Scott Dunn buys Sydney-based Telfords Group Route One 26 October 2015
On 1 May 2015, the Tiger Tours business at Taren Point was purchased with 11 vehicles, and was merged into the Telford operation.Tiger Tours Australian Bus Panorama issue 31/1 July 2015 page 53 In Pegasus Coach Tours of Riverstone was purchased.Fleet News Australian Bus issue 84 November 2017 page 40
In November 2019, the business was sold to Kinetic.Telfords sold to Skybus Kinetic Group Australasian Bus & Coach 21 November 2019Dunn Group sells operator to concentrate on manufacturing Buses issue 778 January 2020 page 18 In 2022 the Telfords brand was retired in favour of the Kinetic brand.Kinetic Group Australian Bus Panorama issue 38/2 September 2022 page 34 It ceased its commercial charter operations in Sydney in December 2024.Kinetic shuts down Sydney commercial charter operations Australasian Bus & Coach 30 September 2024
Services Telfords operated services from Macquarie Park to Epping station under contract to Optus and from Sydney Olympic Park to Lidcombe station, Strathfield station and the Sydney central business district under contract to the Commonwealth Bank. It also operates school buses for various Eastern Suburbs and Inner West schools.
On 23 March 2015, Telfords commenced operating an express commuter service from Rouse Hill to the Sydney CBD under the Your Commute brand.Home Your Commute This was previously operated by Bankstown Coaches as the Bullet Bus until November 2014.Coach seats snapped up Hills Shire Times 30 March 2015
Fleet As at September 2024, the fleet consisted of 68 buses and coaches.Kinetic Group - Turrella Australian Bus Fleet Lists
References
External links
Company website Bus Australia gallery