Benders Busways
Encyclopedia
Benders Busways is a privately owned transport
company in Geelong
, Victoria
. It operates a number of public transport
routes in Geelong under the Geelong Transit System
umbrella, as well as bus charter
work, and is part of the ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
group.
Benders Busways was started by Ernest and Aimee Bender in 1926 in Geelong. The first route ran from Geelong to Chilwell, and in 1931 a second route commenced from the Geelong Post Office
to the corner of Minerva Road and Aberdeen Street in Geelong West
.
The closure of the Geelong tram
system in 1956 saw Benders win the contract to serve the tram routes with buses. 18 new buses were purchased to run the increased number of services.
In 1991 three Mercedes-Benz
compressed natural gas
powered buses were trialled by Benders Busways. This fleet later expanded to 9 buses.
Benders acquired the smaller I.J. Cook & Son bus company of Geelong in the late 1990s. In June 2000, the Bender Family sold the company to the Kefford Corporation
. On 23rd February 2009, Benders was acquired by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
along with the other bus operations of the Kefford Group in Victoria.
livery. Upon the sale of Benders to the Kefford Corporation, buses were repainted in their corporate scheme, but with green stripes on a white base.
Transport
Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...
company in Geelong
Geelong, Victoria
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. It operates a number of public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
routes in Geelong under the Geelong Transit System
Geelong Transit System
The Geelong Transit System was the umbrella operating brand of public transport in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Since 2009 timetables and signage have been branded as Geelong Transit with a standard Viclink orange theme...
umbrella, as well as bus charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
work, and is part of the ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
ComfortDelGro Cabcharge Pty Ltd is a major Australian operator of commuter buses. The company is the second-largest commuter bus operator in New South Wales, with small operations in Victoria. The company is a joint venture between Singapore-based ComfortDelGro Corporation and Cabcharge Australia...
group.
History
Geelong Post Office
The current Geelong Post Office opened in 1994 and is located on the corner of Gheringhap and Little Myers Streets. The original post office was located on the corner of Ryrie and Gheringhap Streets. The Geelong Telegraph Station was located next door.-History:...
to the corner of Minerva Road and Aberdeen Street in Geelong West
Geelong West, Victoria
Geelong West is a commercial and residential suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. When Geelong was founded, the area was known as Kildare but its name was changed to Geelong West in 1875. The main street is Pakington Street.-History:...
.
The closure of the Geelong tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
system in 1956 saw Benders win the contract to serve the tram routes with buses. 18 new buses were purchased to run the increased number of services.
In 1991 three Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
powered buses were trialled by Benders Busways. This fleet later expanded to 9 buses.
Benders acquired the smaller I.J. Cook & Son bus company of Geelong in the late 1990s. In June 2000, the Bender Family sold the company to the Kefford Corporation
Kefford Corporation
-Early history:The Kefford Corporation was started in the early 1850s by Richard Papworth Kefford.-Recent history:* In January 1976, acquired Point Cook - Werribee Passenger Service Pty. Ltd.* In December 1981 acquired H. A. Davis Motor Service Pty. Ltd...
. On 23rd February 2009, Benders was acquired by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
ComfortDelGro Cabcharge Pty Ltd is a major Australian operator of commuter buses. The company is the second-largest commuter bus operator in New South Wales, with small operations in Victoria. The company is a joint venture between Singapore-based ComfortDelGro Corporation and Cabcharge Australia...
along with the other bus operations of the Kefford Group in Victoria.
Livery
When the Geelong Transit System was first introduced in 1983, buses operated by Benders on route services were painted in the blue stripe and white Geelong Transit SystemGeelong Transit System
The Geelong Transit System was the umbrella operating brand of public transport in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Since 2009 timetables and signage have been branded as Geelong Transit with a standard Viclink orange theme...
livery. Upon the sale of Benders to the Kefford Corporation, buses were repainted in their corporate scheme, but with green stripes on a white base.
Routes
| Route | Route Details |
|---|---|
| 10 | City to Rosewall |
| 11 | Geelong City to Corio via North Shore |
| 12 | Geelong City to Lara |
| 14 | Geelong City to Deakin University via Waurn Ponds |
| 15 | Geelong City to Waurn Ponds via Belmont |
| 16 | Geelong City to Deakin University via Highton |
| 17 | Geelong City to Waurn Ponds via Belmont East |
| 18 | Geelong City to Deakin University (Direct) |
| 30 | Geelong City to Corio via Thompsons Road |
| 34 | Geelong City to Buckley Falls |
| 35 | Geelong City to Newtown via Pakington (Clockwise) |
| 36 | Geelong City to Newtown via Aberdeen (Anti-Clockwise) |
| 50 | Geelong City to Hamlyn Heights via Herne Hill and McCurdy Road |
| 51 | Geelong City to Hamlyn Heights via Herne Hill and Minerva Road |
| 55 | Geelong City to Newcomb |