Hopkinsons
 |
|
| 250px | |
| Parent | Gerald King (50%) John King (50%) |
|---|---|
| Commenced operation | 1923 |
| Headquarters | Smithfield |
| Service type | Coach charter services |
| Depots | 1 |
| Fleet | 25 (June 2015) |
| Website | www.hopkinsons.com.au |
Hopkinsons is an Australian bus company in Western Sydney. Until October 2013 it operated route services until these passed to Transit Systems Sydney. It continues to trade as a charter operator.
History
Hopkinsons' origins can be traced to 1923 when the Try family, trading as Merrylands Bus Company, commenced operating services in the Fairfield, Guildford and Merrylands area with four buses. By 1957 the fleet had expanded to 16 buses. In 1978 Merrylands Bus Company was sold to Graham Hopkinson and renamed Hopkinsons and relocated to Smithfield.[1][2]
In late 2003 the coach business of Challenge Coachlines was purchased and amalgamated with Hopkinsons' existing coach charter business. Following the death of Graham Hopkinson in 2011, his four daughters took over running the business.[2]
From 2005 Hopkinsons' services formed part of Sydney Bus Region 3.[3] In October 2013 Transit Systems Sydney commenced operating the new Region 3 from October 2013 that includes the services formerly operated by Hopkinsons.[4][5] Hopkinsons continues to trade as a charter operator.
On 1 March 2015, the business was purchased by Kiama Coaches proprietor Gerald King and Premier Transport Group owner John King.[6][7]
Fleet
As at June 2015, the fleet consisted of five buses and 20 coaches.[2]
When Hopkinsons purchased the business in 1978 it consisted of Bedfords. In the 1980s these were replaced by ex ACTION AEC Swift and Volvo B58s. In the 1990s it had some ex Public Transport Corporation Volvo B59s rebodied by P&D Coachworks to a design by Hopkinsons followed by some similarly bodied Volvo B10Bs. More recent purchases have been Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B12BLEs.
Hopkinsons has long operated charter coaches. Initially operating Dennings and later Austral Tourmasters, it has since moved to Scania and Volvos.
In the 1980s the two tone green livery was replaced by the current white, green and blue colour scheme. Coaches used to also carry this livery until a silver livery was adopted at about the same time as the purchase of Challenge Coachlines.
Former routes as of 2013
The following routes were operated by Hopkinsons in October 2013 when Transit Systems Sydney took over Region 3 services.
| Route | From | Via | To | Joint operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802 | Liverpool | Miller, Bonnyrigg, Fairfield, Merrylands | Parramatta | Westbus |
| 803 | The Valley Plaza | Miller | Liverpool | Westbus |
| 820 | Merrylands | Western side of Merrylands | Guildford | none |
| 821 | Smithfield Industrial Area | Guildford | none | |
| 822 | Merrylands | Eastern side of Merrylands | Guildford | none |
References
- ↑ Company History Hopkinsons
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hopkinsons Metrobus & Coaches Australian Bus Fleet Lists
- ↑ Region 3 Transport NSW
- ↑ Cut costs or bus contracts will go to private sector, minister tells drivers Sydney Morning Herald 7 November 2012
- ↑ Transit Systems awarded Sydney buses contract Transit Systems 7 November 2012
- ↑ "Hopkinsons" Australian Bus Panorama issue 30/6 May 2015 page 53
- ↑ "Hopkinsons" Australian Bus Panorama issue 31/1 July 2015 page 49
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