safe and reliable transport in and around Ballarat

Our Profile

History

The business owned and operated by Mr. Don McKenzie and Mr. Richard Baird was established in 1980 and has grown rapidly to include the following companies:

• Sunbury Coaches
• Bacchus Marsh Coaches
• Coach Tours of Australia
• Swanlink Coachlines
• Gold Bus Ballarat

After 10 years experience each in the Bus and Coach industry, Messrs. McKenzie & Baird purchased their first business in March 1980. At the time it was a small School Bus operation with a fleet of 8 vehicles. During the past 20 years this fleet has grown to in excess of 100 vehicles. This includes:-

• 15 Luxury Touring Coaches
• 75 School/Route/Charter Buses
• 7 Articulated Buses
• 6 Mini Coaches & Buses
• Luggage & Camping Trailers
• Chrysler Voyager 6 Seater

Our fleet is continually being upgraded and expanded. Vehicles are serviced regularly at 5,000 km intervals and all maintenance is undertaken by qualified personnel, thus ensuring the highest level of comfort and safety for our passengers. Detailed histories of servicing and repairs are maintained for each vehicle and all vehicles are inspected annually by VicRoads representatives to ensure compliance with government regulations. We operate a comprehensive Quality Assured Maintenance Program to further enhance this activity.

Our companies are fully accredited by the Victorian Government to operate every possible category of bus and coach service. This Accreditation requires tertiary training for key personnel and adherence to the strictest standards of management and maintenance systems.

The company presently employs over 120 people. These comprise 90 permanent & casual drivers, 15 administration staff and a maintenance team of 12 mechanics. The company also employs a range of support personnel, including cooks, tour guides and cleaners.

Our Business

Each company associated with the group enjoys an excellent transport industry record catering for a diversified range of people movement activities and specialising in:-

• Met Route Services – V/Line Route Services
• School Bus Services – Extended Tours
• Safari Tours – Group Charter
• Conferences – Educational Tours
• Snow Trips – Express Coaches

We pride ourselves on our ability to meet the needs of our customers beyond the call of duty. Our extensive experience in a wide range of transport activities allows us to anticipate the potential requirements of different groups and offer assistance in the planning phase.

We are actively involved with many other Companies and organisations in planning and conducting tours and charter, including:

• Group Tour Management - Interstate and local travel
• Australian Tourmasters - Interstate and local travel
• Inbound Travel Agents - Statewide and Interstate travel
• School Groups - Local, Statewide and Interstate travel
• Senior Citizens and Probus Groups - Local, Statewide and Interstate travel
• Associated Retailers Ltd - Various Trade Fairs.

Our Companies also operate a wide range of Government Contracts:

• Met Route Services - To and from Gisborne, Riddell, Moonee Ponds, Sunbury, Melton &Bacchus Marsh
• V/Line Route Services - In and around the Bacchus Marsh District
• V/Line Route Services - To and from Mildura, Swan Hill & Melbourne
• School Bus Services - Within the Sunbury, Gisborne, Riddell, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat & Ballan Areas

Other significant areas of our operations include being the exclusive transport provider for Alpine World Ski Holidays, operating Express Coaches for McCaffertys and operating Outback Safari Tours for Austour. Our Company is also a founding member of the Coachlink Network, a National body established to co-ordinate integrated transport requirements across Australia.

Our People

We recognise that our people are our greatest asset and our ambition is to develop them to their full potential. To this end we have developed a Staff Development Program to cater for corporate and individual needs. It includes:

• Driver Assessments · Coach Driver Training
• First Aid Training · Transport Supervisor
• Mechanics Familiarisation · Occupational Health & Safety
• Computer Awareness & Familiarisation
• Tourism and Marketing · Management Conference
• Instruction Video Day/Nights · Customer Relations

We take a great deal of pride in our bus and coach drivers, dedicated professionals who are experienced in the areas of people movement. They are experienced and well trained in vehicle handling skills and are knowledgeable in the areas they visit. All drivers wear the Company uniform whilst on duty and are solely responsible for the cleanliness and appearance of their vehicles. Our drivers are courteous and friendly who are always ready to offer extra assistance or information where necessary.

Our Tour Consultants have been recruited from a talented field of candidates and were selected for their expertise in tour planning, friendly personalities and genuine dedication to their task. They operate very effectively as a team and will work tirelessly on the smallest detail, to ensure the success of every tour departure.

Our Operations Staff are experts in their field. Between them they have many years experience in the transport industry and can assist in arranging any transport activity.

The entire Company has a very deliberate focus on Team Work, Customer Care and Quality Service.

Our Goals

Our goals in business are simple:

• To deliver the best possible service to our customers and
• To provide a memorable experience, whether it be an Outback Camping Safari, an Educational Tour, a Day Charter, an Airport Transfer or a ride to the local shop.

We aim to achieve and maintain our success by ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the transport industry, by providing exceptional service to our customers.