HMD 119 is seen at Essendon Stn in 1967. One of three Fleetlines in this small fleet. The route along Buckley St was only about 2.5 kilometres long, but after sale to Ryan Bros, the route was extended to Keilor Park in the 1980s.

From Graeme Cleak’s route history notes until 1990:

ROUTE 465 ESSENDON – EAST KEILOR – KEILOR PARK

Another original route of 1925, Route 17A. In March 1930 it was extended to Nimmo St. By October 1948 the operator was Red Motor Bus Service (Grant) who in 1952 had been joined by Memery. In January 1955 H & M Memery took over.

Barnes Bus Service had bought the route by November 1959, who linked it to Route 39 to form Flemington Bridge – Moonee Ponds – Essendon – West Essendon – Keilor. However, the extension was short lived, as Route 17A had re-emerged by January 1963 as Moonee Ponds – Essendon – West Essendon, now operated by G & E Hills.

The extension to Moonee Ponds ceased during the 1960s and Hill’s sold to Ryan Bros Bus Service on 5/1/1970. The route was renumbered Route 465 in 1971.

Hill’s JGD 180 (Atkinson Alpha, Syd Wood) at the depot in Fletcher Street, Essendon in 1969. It subsequently passed to Ryan Bros along with the Buckley Street route. (Colin Davidson)  

Hill’s Depot in Essendon circa April/May 1969 – which became the Moonee Valley BS depot soon after. Site was behind a Golden Fleece petrol station on Fletcher St. It backed on to a Caltex station fronting Mount Alexander Rd – where R. A. Cunningham ‘stabled’ his bus fleet. (Colin Davison)