BCSV: Farewell Ventura Northcoasts Tour
2023-09-10 09:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
After 25 years, the Northcoast low floor era at Ventura Bus Lines in Melbourne’s east is coming to an end.

Peaking at 33 units (31 Scania & 2 Mercedes) by the end of 2003, just 8 of these buses remain in active service, most now downgraded to school and rail replacement work. Fleet renewal continues at a steady rate, with their days at Ventura sadly appearing numbered.

Ventura was second only to Metro Tasmania in favouring these buses of a large scale (Metro purchasing 42 Scania L94UB Northcoasts) and we feel it’s fitting for them to have a warm send-off from Melbourne.

Ventura management have kindly given the Bus & Coach Society of Victoria approval for a farewell tour, to be held on Sunday 10 September using a variety of the remaining buses.

Our day will focus on the traditional routes these buses were used on from their days at Oakleigh, Knoxfield and Croydon (Mt Dandy Bus) depots.

PICK UP LOCATIONS:
* BUS 1 – Dandenong Station (V/Line bay) – 9am
* BUS 2 – Ringwood Station (Maroondah Hwy bus bays) 8:50am
* BUSES 1 & 2 – Oakleigh Station (south side/Johnson St) – 9:30am (meets 9:02am Pakenham train from Flinders St)

Please note buses replace trains Blackburn to Belgrave/Lilydale next weekend

Attendees can switch vehicles throughout the day.

Buses will return to Oakleigh about 4:30pm and Dandenong & Ringwood about 5pm

LUNCH
A 45 min lunch stop at Boronia will provided (own expense)

FARES (cash-only)
Free for BCSV members
$15 for non-members ($10 for under 18s)

NEW MEMBERS
New members can join on the day for 2023/2024 for a members’ fare ($0) PLUS receive back-copies of both the July & September editions of our Australia Bus Panorama magazine

Annual BCSV membership is $50 (adults) and $40 (concession) – https://bcsv.org.au/membership/

RSVP
Please RSVP by sending an email to secretary@bcsv.org.au or calling Paul Kennelly (BCSV secretary) on (03) 9509 1593
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Yarra Glen Display 2025 - Members' Preview Afternoon
2025-11-08 13:00 - 17:00 | Driver Bus Lines, 45-53 Ricketts Road, Mount Waverley, Victoria, 3149, Australia
Want a chance to get some photos at the annual HCVCA Yarra Glen Display without the crowds? Would love to ride a couple of the many restored coaches in the Driver Classics Fleet?
Gary Driver from Driver Bus Lines has once again kindly invited BCSV members (& any guests from interstate) to come along on Set-Up Saturday.
Driver Bus Lines will also provide transfers to/from the event for BCSV members on Display Day Sunday!
Both the members’ preview afternoon & display day transfer are provided free to BCSV members! New members welcome to join ahead of the display day weekend – https://bcsv.org.au/membership/
SET-UP SATURDAY
A convoy of Driver Classics heritage vehicles will leave the Driver Bus Lines depot at 45-53 Ricketts Rd, Mt Waverley at 1.00pm on Saturday 8th November. Arrive by 12:45pm.
A second stop in Lilydale will also be available upon request.
Email secretary@bcsv.org.au if interested.
Upon request on the day, there can be opportunity to change vehicles in Lilydale or Coldstream on the way – chat to Gary and the other drivers before departing Mt Waverley.
A current day coach will return attendees back to the depot around 5pm, setting down at Lilydale Station enroute upon request.
The afternoon is free for both BCSV members and interstate guests and we thank Gary for the kind invite.
DISPLAY DAY SUNDAY
On Sunday a transfer bus for BCSV members will depart the Driver Bus Lines depot at 45-53 Ricketts Rd, Mt Waverley at 8:30am (arrive by 8:20am) and Lilydale Station at 9:20am (awaiting train from the City).
Those boarding at Lilydale should wait at the 683 Warburton stop on Maroondah Hwy (near Captain K Fish & Chips).
For the general public, McKenzie’s Route 685 now operates every hour from Lilydale to Yarra Glen on Sundays.
The return journey from the display, using the heritage vehicles, will leave Yarra Glen at 3pm with drop off at Lilydale Station by 3:45pm before travelling back to the depot in Mt Waverley, arriving back around 4:30pm.
Again, RSVPs appreciated via BCSV Secretary Paul Kennelly – secretary@bcsv.org.au
