Trains on the Avandale, Moorinallea, Irvinebank and Fitzpatrick Lines will be running to Stadium Park from 2:30PM until 1:30AM - Southmead & Everdeen services will go via the City Loop

Delivering 85 new buses for the Thornsbury bus network

We're bringing new buses before June 2026 to replace our aging bus fleet

Image of a Transnet bus with text that reads "85 new buses"

 

Why are we making new buses for Thornsbury?

Transnet has been looking for new buses for years now since 2017 and up until now, Transnet has finally aquired the rights to 85 new buses for the network.

Operators like McKian's, Connect Bus Lines StatelineBus & Crowliner have been using Volgren CR228L's since 2007, Dennis Dart SLT's since 1992 and BusTech VST's since 2009. So it was about time that our operators got new buses, so, we're building 85 new Volgren Optimus buses in a new Transnet bus operator scheme.

 

Why a deadline of 2026 to make 85 buses?

We've created a deadline of June 2026 to give exisiting and new operators a chance to introduce the new buses into their fleet, while also discontinuing/selling or scrapping their old buses.

So far, McKian's, Connect Bus Lines, O'Connors Bus Company & CDC Thornsbury have been granted 35 out of the 85 being made, with 50 yet to be given out to operators. Transnet is expected to give out as many as possible to all operators before the deadline.

 

What will happen to the old CR228L's, Dart SLT's & VST's?

Operators will have a selection of what to do with their old buses. McKian's & Connect Bus Lines have agreed that they will sell a majority of buses to their joint venture company, Zyra, a rail replacement bus company. Other buses that aren't being sent to Zyra will likely be scrapped or heritage listed to private owners.

 

When will we see the first Volgren Optimus take passengers?

We understand there are enthusiasts who would like to see this first bus in service, and that's why we will keep people in the loop about when the first bus enters service. We don't have a date at this current time, due to the first bus not being manufactured as of yet, but until the first bus is made, we will secure a possible date for the first bus. Our eyes are however set for sometime Early Spring 2025.