BCSV February Tour: Martyrs & McKenzies
2024-02-24 10:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
The BCSV’s first event for 2024 will be a depot tour of both Martyrs and McKenzies on Saturday 24th of February 2024. Rides will also feature at both depots.
PICK-UP UPDATE
Following changes to the Level Crossing Removal line closures, the tour will now have two pickup points, one at Caulfield Station at 9am (624 Kew stop on Sir John Monash Dr – north side of station) and the other at Lilydale station at 10am (rail replacement bay on the south-west side of the station).
A Belgrave train leaves Flinders Street at 8.46am and arrives at Ringwood at 9.38am for a connecting shuttle to Lilydale at 9.40am with arrival at Lilydale at 9.57am. We will await this train at Lilydale.

From Lilydale we will travel to Martyrs in Warburton with an arrival at about 11am for photos and some rides.
At about 12:30pm we head over to Healesville arriving at McKenzie’s at about 1pm where attendees will have a BBQ lunch followed by opportunities for photography and some rides.
We anticipate a return to Blackburn at about 4.30pm.
Other pickup points may be added closer to the tour depending upon demand and availability or changes to the rail replacement program.
Sincere thanks to the Dineen Group for offering to host us once again.
COST
Tour costs will be $10 for members and $20 for non-members, with under 18s half price. This includes your BBQ lunch.
FOUR & A BIT MEMBERSHIPS

New members can join this month until 30 June for $20 ($15 students/pensioners) and travel on the discounted members’ fare – a saving of $10!
PDF form – https://bcsv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/BCSV-Membership-form-special-offer-2023-24-1.pdf
Word form – https://bcsv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/BCSV-Membership-form-special-offer-2023-24.docx
RSVP
To aid catering, those wishing to attend are requested to notify the BCSV Secretary, Paul Kennelly, at secretary@bcsv.org.au

RSVPs to the Facebook event page do not confirm attendance but can be made to receive tour update notifications.
SAFETY
A reminder that hi-vis vests/shirts are required to be worn when visiting depots on BCSV tours.
A page outfling BCSV tour etiquette can be found here – https://bcsv.org.au/events-overview/tour-etiquette

BCSV March Overnight Tour: Stawell & Hamilton
2024-03-23 08:00 - 2024-03-24 18:00 | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
The Bus & Coach Society of Victoria is currently seeking expressions of interest for an overnight tour on 23rd/24th March 2024 to Stawell and Hamilton in Western Victoria.
We will visit Sandlant’s museum in Landsborough and their depot in Stawell on Saturday 23rd March.
On Sunday 24th March, we will visit the Ansett Museum and Campe’s Motor Museum, both based in Hamilton.
Our overnight accommodation will be in Hamilton at the Comfort Inn Botanical Motel
Motel website – https://www.choicehotels.com/en-au/victoria/hamilton/comfort-inn-hotels/au389
The tour will start with a pickup at Southern Cross Station on Saturday 23rd March at 8am and return about 6pm on Sunday 24th March. Additional suburban pick-ups will be announced closer to the date.
COST & MEALS
Coach travel, entry to museums and lunch on both days are included in the cost (see below).
Breakfast at the motel will be at your own expense (there are other breakfast outlets near the motel if you wish). Dinner in Hamilton on the Saturday night will also be at your own expense.
The tour costs for BCSV members are as follows:

With single room accommodation $180pp
With shared accommodation (double or queen bed) $115pp
With shared accommodation (separate beds) $125pp

Non-members will be welcome, subject to spare seats, for an extra $20.

Your expression of interest will not be a commitment at this stage but will help with motel bookings
In January 2024, you will be asked to confirm your booking with a $30 deposit.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
To express your interest & reserve your spot, send us an email to secretary@bscv.org.au
Please include an early indication of your accommodation preferences and your roommate where appropriate.
Facebook RSVPs are not considered an expression of interest but are welcome for further updates

BCSV April Tour: Farewell Ryan's Route Services
2025-04-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Ryan Bros Bus Service – Tullamarine Depot, 11 Beverage Dr, Tullamarine, VIC, 3043, Australia
Ryan Bros Bus Service in the Essendon area will cease operating their route services at the end of June as a result of the State Goverment’s competitive tender process.
Ryan’s three routes will be absorbed by the CDC-Kastoria partnership in the north-western suburbs as part of the new Melbourne Metropolitan Zero Emission Bus Franchises.
While Ryan’s will continue to operate their school and charter bus operations, the Bus & Coach Society of Victoria (BCSV) will celebrate Ryan’s 78 years of route service on Sunday 6th April.
The date has been chosen due to the extensive school sport charter work undertaken on weekends by Ryan’s during term time, with Ryan’s requesting that the tour occur on a weekend during the April school holidays – the last school holiday period before changeover day.
We understand a second event for the wider community will be held by the company in late June – watch this space for further details.
PICK-UPs
We are pleased to announce extra pick-up points for our BCSV April Tour: Farewell Ryan’s Route Services on Sunday 6 April:
BUS 1Driver Coach
9.00am Depart Driver Mt Waverley Depot – 45 Ricketts Rd (drop off 5.30pm). Street parking available.
9.15am Oakleigh Station – southern side Johnson Street – Bus Stop 733/625 (drop off 5.15pm)
9.30am Caulfield Station – northern side Sir John Monash Drive – Bus Stop 624 (drop off 5.00pm)
9.35am Malvern Station – Dandenong Road Bus replacement stop (drop off 4.55pm)
10.00am Southern Cross Station – Spencer Street outside Coles – Bus Stop 216 (drop off 4.30pm)
We have confirmed that our City pick-up will remain accessible during Run for the Kids on Sunday but be aware of tram changes on many routes.
There’s also bus replacement on the Glen Waverley, Werribee, Williamstown, Sunbury & Geelong Lines.
BUS 2Peninsula BL 1963 Comair from Ventura/Grenda heritage fleet
9.15am Ringwood Station – Bus Stop 684 (drop off 5.20pm)
9.30am Box Hill Station – Bus Stop 612 (drop off 5.00pm)
The tour should conclude at the now later time of 4.00pm with a drop off at SC at around 4.30pm. Other approximate drop off times are indicated above.
For those making their own way to the Ryan’s Depot (11 Beverage Drive Tullamarine), there is parking in the street but please wait outside the gates until the shuttle buses arrive.
FARE
The fare for BCSV members will be $5 with U/18s free. Fares payable on the day by cash
The non-member fare will be $15 with U/18s $10.
MEMBERSHIP OFFER
New members can join up at the tour for a special deal of $70 ($50 student and pensioner rate) which will cover you up until 30 June 2026.
This special rate includes the March & May editions of Australian Bus Panorama magazine plus all 7 editions for the coming financial year.
Anyone who joins the society on the day will be able to travel on the cheaper $5 members’ fare.
Membership benefits & forms – https://bcsv.org.au/membership/
RSVP
Members interested in attending are requested to let the BCSV secretary, Paul Kennelly, know via email in order to assist with catering – secretary@bcsv.org.au
LUNCH
Ryan’s have offered to provide lunch on the day, for which we are very grateful.
Please advise us by email of any dietary requirements – secretary@bcsv.org.au
HI-VIS VESTS
As this visit will be on the depot premises, hi-vis vests are required. A small number of spares will be available for those who forget.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
In August 1947, members of the Ryan family (Annie with three of her sons John, Patrick and Gerald) purchased the Moonee Ponds Station to Aberfeldie service , route 15A and now route 467, from Peter Callaghan, along with 4 Reo buses.
The partnership soon became known as Ryan Brothers with the initial depot at 827 Mt Alexander Road. In the early 50s, it moved to the other end of the route at Brunel Street, where they stayed for many years until they moved to the current depot in Beverage Drive, Tullamarine in the late 80s.
In January 1970, Ryan’s purchased the Buckley Street route, initially route 17A now Route 465, from the Hills brothers, with 6 buses.
Ryan’s were an early member of the BCSV with (young) Pat Ryan being a keen preservationist who eventually became the sole owner of the business.
After his untimely death in 2019, Pat’s wife, Kath Feehan, assumed ownership and will host our tour along with manager, Daniel Zampatti.

BCSV February Overnight Tour: Gippsland
2026-02-07 08:00 - 2026-02-08 17:00
Expressions of Interest for our February 2026 overnight tour to Gippsland remain open. The tour is scheduled for Saturday 7 February & Sunday 8 February.
We plan to visit Gillicks and Dysons in Bairnsdale on Saturday followed by Dysons in Sale and a train ride on the Walhalla railway on the Sunday.
A group booking for motel accommodation will be made for Bairnsdale on the Saturday night. Twin share rooms and queen beds will be available.
Late EOIs are still being accepted until Sunday 5 October – make sure to email BCSV Deputy President Steve Bayer – steve.bayer@bcsv.org.au with name and numbers attending. EOIs will assist us in detailed planning and costs.
