The new owner of Deane’s Buslines has unveiled a rebranding of the transport group to underline its long term commitment to servicing the City of Queanbeyan.
From 8 July, ComfortDelGro Cabcharge Pty Ltd (CDC), the largest privately owned bus operator in Australia, will re-name the bus line “QCity Transit”. Along with the QCity Transit logo, the buses’ livery will also promote the city’s 175th birthday.
CDC Chief Executive, Jim Glasson, said today: “The QCity Transit brand recognises the proud history of growth since 1925, and our commitment to continuing to support the needs of the community in the Queanbeyan City region, including the growth of new release areas such as Googong and Tralee South, over the next 20-30 years.”
Since Mrs Barton’s “Safety Coach” commenced service between Queanbeyan and Canberra in 1925, public bus services have grown to support the development of Queanbeyan. Quodling Bros (1935 – 1977) acquired the business from Mrs Barton, and subsequently the Lever family (1977-1990) and the Deane family (1990-2012) has continued to develop and grow bus public transport in the district.
In late 2012, this history of growth and ownership change continued with the Deane family selling the business to CDC.
Queanbeyan Mayor, Cr Tim Overall, said: “I think it is fitting that, as we celebrate our 175th birthday during 2013, Queanbeyan’s bus service is adopting our city’s name, and I am encouraged by the commitment of the new owners to support our community and its future growth”.
The Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, MP, added his support to the change in brand. “The Deane’s operation goes to show that with the right management, public transport need not be the domain of Government,” said Mr Barilaro.
Deane’s Transit Group Manager, Steve Bushby, said: “I am excited to be part of the continued growth of QCity Transit. This is a local company employing over 100 staff, all of whom live in the area and are committed to serving our local community.”
Mr Bushby said the “Transborder Express” brand would remain unchanged for the company’s services in the Yass and Murrumbateman to Canberra corridor, noting that “we believe that the Transborder Express brand is already aligned with the services operated in the Yass to Canberra corridor”.
The bus line still has a link to one of its past owners. David Quodling, a third generation member of the Quodling family, who has driven buses for the company since 2004, said: “It feels good to be part of a local company that has grown with Queanbeyan, and which my family has played a key role in developing in its early years”.
[Source: Qcity Transit media release]
This page was last updated on 6 August 2022
