United in Purpose
Victoria’s private bus operators have long understood the need to work together to improve industry conditions and the level of service provide to their passengers.
The Bus Association Victoria Inc. began as part of a combined goods and passenger organisation formed in 1944 as a result of a merger of the Master Carriers’ Association of Victoria and the Commercial Motor Users’ Association.
The new organisation called the Victorian Road Transport Association comprised three passenger operator divisions: the Road Passenger Service Operators (long distance and country operators), Omnibus Operators (metropolitan and suburban) and Motor Coach Services (charter and tours)
Within three years however the RPSO division believed that the needs of passenger operators were “so entirely different from those of the vast majority of the members of the VRTA…that separate action became necessary”. Separate action meant the creation of a new association and an umbrella body, which ultimately led, in 1953 to the Road Passenger Service Operators Association becoming the sole representative body for bus owners throughout Victoria.
By 1960 there were 443 member of the association operating 1842 vehicles; in 1965, there were 582 members with 2182 buses and coaches; by 2000 the figures had reached 740 members and 4600 buses.
In 1969 the name of the association was changed to the Bus Proprietors’ Association (Vic) and changed again in 1996 to Bus Association Victoria inc.
Changing government attitudes, the push for improved industrial conditions, new community expectations and the ups and downs of the economic environment have all required BusVic to act in the best interest of its members.
BusVic is committed to serving the interests of the community and its members. It will provide opportunities for members to:
- Maximise profitability and long term security.
- Maintain positive public perceptions of safety, reliability efficiency and ethical conduct.
- Retain community service values in the delivery of Road passenger operations.
And by maximising its membership will consequently enhance the public image of the industry through its activities.
As a not for profit industry representative body BusVic needs non-membership income in order to meet the growing challenges associated with ensuring a resilient operating environment and industry reinvestment.
BusVic's commercial entities include:
Road Safety Inspections: RSI is an industry owned licensed bus and taxi inspection and registration service. With state-of-the-art inspection facilities and advanced mobile braking and suspension testing trailers.
BAV Finance / Bus Finance Australia: Established in 2004, BAV Finance is an industry wned provider of financial solutions. BusParts Plus (formerly BusSales) has been an industry owned supplier of spare parts and accessories for over 45 years. Operated on BusVic’s behalf by CMV Truck and Bus in Laverton, BusParts Plus is able to provide members with extremely competitive prices due to its buying capability.
Bus Parts Plus: Formerly BusSales, Bus Parts Plus has been an industry owned supplier of spare parts and accessories for over 45 years. Operated on BusVic’s behalf by CMV Truck and Bus in Laverton, BusParts Plus is able to provide members with extremely competitive prices due to its buying capability. BusParts Plus can satisfy operator’s spare parts and accessories needs, including the rarest of widgets, in a friendly and fast manner. Bus Parts Plus can supply all makes and models suspension, tyres, wiper blades, pivots, arms, links, motor cranks, electric motors, keylocks, cleaning products, seats and cushions, fire extinguishers, mirrors, lights, rubbers, toilets plus a vast array of external and internal fittings.
BusCover: Established in 1996, BusCover offers operators insurance and risk solutions. BusCover is a flexible, innovative alternative to conventional insurance and is available to school bus operators, route operators, tour, charter and hire and drive operators regardless of their size. BusCover offers competitive premiums, broad coverage and exceptional customer service.
BusHealth: BusHealth is operated by Transport Health, providers of health related services to employees and families of the transport industry since 1888. Transport Health offers private hospital covers and extras and their range is designed to suit different needs and lifestyles. Transport Health offer a wide range of services, generous benefits and competitive prices.
BusAcademy: Being launched in late 2011, the Bus Academy will be a one stop shop on-line training and educational referral tool where operators can be directed to suppliers of both industry specific and generic management discipline training and education options. The Bus Academy website www.busacademy.com.au will feature initiatives into three sections: pre-entry education; in market operations and; succession.
Bus Foundation: To be launched in late 2011/early 2012, the Bus Foundation aims to: acknowledge and recognise an operator’s involvement with their industry representative body and their contribution to the industry; raise awareness of significant bus industry social issues; create a lasting asset for the operator community; make it easy for operators to contribute and see the results of their donations and; provide an opportunity for the industry to plan for its own needs and aspirations. The overriding objective of the Foundation is to provide financial assistance to BusVic’s members and past members who may be in need of assistance due to a variety of reasons.
BusVic Revenue and Customer Support: BusVic Customer and Revenue Support is an industry owned entity which contracts to the Department of Transport to provide Authorised Officer and Mystery Shopper services throughout Victoria’s bus network and participates in industry and State driven passenger safety initiatives.
BusVic Services: BusVic Services is an industry owned management consulting company which mostly provides operator training and education services associated with the new ticketing solution.