Panorama Coaches

Last updated

Panorama Coaches Logo.png
Panorama Coaches 3029 AO September 2023 (cropped).jpg
Volgren bodied MAN 19.320 on route 580 at Eltham station in September 2023
Parent Dineen Group
Headquarters Diamond Creek
Service areaNorth-East Melbourne
Service typeBus & coach operator
Fleet116 (December 2024) [1]
Website www.panoramacoaches.com.au

Panorama Coaches is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is a subsidiary of the Dineen Group. Until 30 June 2025, it operated five routes under contract to Public Transport Victoria. It continues to operate a large volume of school and charter work.

Contents

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.

The five Panorama PTV routes, 343, 578, 579, 580 and 582, were transferred to Dysons effective 1 July 2025, as the latter was successful in its tender to operate the five routes. [10] [11] Panorama had operated the 578, 579, 580 and 582 routes for 35 years and the 343 since it was introduced. Panorama continues to operate charter and school bus services.

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. 1 2 "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
  10. ↑ "Metropolitan Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Franchise - Green and Pink - North East Melbourne". Buying for Victoria. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "UN 185: Network synergies from our new ZEB bus contracts". Melbourne on Transit. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2025.

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