A ride down memory lane: Kinetic donates a piece of Tasmania transport history
Kinetic is preserving a slice of local transport history donating a Tasmanian Redline bus to the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society.
Built by the Pressed Metal Corporation in Adelaide in 1990 the 41-seater coach is the last remaining of around 10 vehicles originally built in a configuration for the rugged west coast of Tasmania.
For more than 30 years the bus operated on Tasmania’s west coast, taking freight and passengers from Hobart and Launceston delivering fresh food, mail, medical supplies and urgent mechanical parts, providing a vital lifeline in supplying goods and services to the remote, rural communities in the region.
Andrew Grzinic General Manager said even today bus services continue to play an important role in connecting Tasmanians across the state.
"Our buses have long been lifelines for communities, and even today, they continue to play a crucial role in our everyday lives," he said.
"Restoring this bus has been a labour of love for our team, and we're thrilled to see it hit the road again as a lasting legacy for Tasmania.”
Rebuilding the bus was a monumental task requiring four years of meticulous work by Kinetic staff across its Launceston and Devonport workshops.
As part of the restoration works the bus was completely stripped and resprayed, timber and vinyl flooring replaced, mechanical works undertaken to ensure the vehicle was roadworthy and the seats reupholstered. Challenges arose in finding materials authentic to the bus’s era but the team’s dedication ensured its authenticity was maintained.
The donated bus will now become a permanent living exhibit for the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society and will make its first public appearance at the Exeter Agricultural Show on Saturday 24 February before appearing, Longford Truck Run and the South East Suns Truck show in Sorell later in the year.
Neil Robins, Secretary of the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society highlighted the significance of preserving the State’s social history.
“Tasmanian Redline holds a special place in the hearts of Tasmanians for the important role it played in everyday life of the state, so it essential we preserve that history and make it accessible to people.
“It’s wonderful to see the community reaction when we take our buses to local events. People are always eager to share their memories of catching the bus.”
Tasmanian Redline has a rich heritage dating back to 1929, founded by Percy and Stella Larissey in Cressy. Over the years, it grew to become one of the state's largest bus operators, providing essential services across Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, Launceston, and Smithton, as well as charter services for tour operators.
Kinetic was born and bred in Melbourne, its presence in Tasmania began with SkyBus in 2018, before purchasing Tasmanian Redline in 2021.
It has since grown to operate bus services in Hobart, Launceston and North East and Devonport and the North West with a fleet of more than 260 buses and employing more than 270 Tasmanians.
Kinetic is committed to modernising bus travel in Tasmania and has invested of around $10 million in its local operation including new, modern fleet and upgrades to key transit centres in Hobart.
Further enquiries
Justin Rogers
Manager, Media and Communication
0419 230 242
Justin.rogers@wearekinetic.com