Kinetic expands Melbourne operation with additional government-contracted bus routes

Kinetic has today announced an agreement to acquire two Metropolitan Bus Contract Services from family-owned business MorelandBus in Melbourne’s north.

Kinetic, the custodian of the Metropolitan Bus Franchise which operates one third of Melbourne’s bus network, will welcome an additional two government-contracted routes in the city’s northern suburbs, along with 10 buses as part of the transaction. No depots are included in the sale.

Importantly, Kinetic is excited to offer continued employment to 15 MorelandBus drivers based at its nearby North Fitzroy depot and continue to deliver these services with no disruption to passengers. The North Fitzroy depot underwent a face-lift when Kinetic took on the franchise last year to enhance the workplace experience for employees.

There is no change to the rest of the MorelandBus business, which will continue to provide school and charter bus services across the city under current ownership.

The transaction will see Kinetic operate the 510 between Essendon Station and Ivanhoe Station via Brunswick and Northcote and Thornbury and 512 between Strathmore and East Coburg via Pascoe Vale South and Coburg West and Coburg, as well as weekend services.

Kinetic is in its second year operating the 9.5-year Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise contract in partnership with the Victorian Government, with a team of 1100 bus drivers and 532 buses moving 27 million people annually across 50 urban routes.

Kinetic has reached the half-way point in its commitment to delivering 36 battery electric buses within the first three years of operation, with depot electrification upgrade works completing at its depots in Sunshine West and Heatherton in December to charge the growing zero emission fleet.

Kinetic has also delivered significant improvements for customers with the introduction of a new state-of-the-art Operations Control Centre (OCC) which provides a comprehensive overview of the network and traffic conditions across the bus network and fourteen dedicated Customer Service Officers to assist passengers.

Another key focus of the franchise is driving gender equality in the bus industry. Kinetic has introduced the Women Up Front program aimed to attract more women into the bus industry by empowering people from diverse work backgrounds with the right attitude and community focus to get behind the wheel.

“We are excited to welcome the MorelandBus drivers to the team and continue to deliver these great services with the additional support of the broader Kinetic family,” Kinetic Regional GM Graham Smith says.

“As we do this, we’d like to congratulate and acknowledge the team at MorelandBus on their support throughout this process and wish them well as they continue to deliver bus services in the community.”

“We’re proud of our role delivering bus services that keep Melbourne moving and provide accessibility, inclusion and opportunity for all communities."

“With the addition of these services and the new faces in our team we’re excited to expand our partnership with the Victorian Government to continue building a safe, clean and sustainable bus network that Victorians can be proud of.”

As part of its commitment to delivering a modern and sustainable bus network Kinetic has overseen an $8.7 million investment in depot improvements and delivered 29 new hybrid buses for Victorians in its first 18 months of operation.

While MorelandBus will continue to deliver bus services on behalf of the State, the transfer of the two routes to Kinetic is expected to complete soon and remains subject to relevant regulatory approval.

Further enquiries
Justin Rogers
Manager Communication, Stakeholder and Customer – NSW/VIC/TAS
0419 230 242
justin.rogers@wearekinetic.com.au