Transdev Melbourne

Was out grabbing a bite to eat at Doncaster Shoppingtown the other day and happened to stumble upon this soon-to-be piece of Victorian transport history - after narrowly missing the bus I had intended to take. As I know these buses are very popular with enthusiasts,, I decided to record most of the ride (recorded on iPhone 5s), as these buses are running on borrowed time and latest rumours suggest they will be fully phased out by the end of 2016. The video aims to capture some of the sights and sounds enthusiasts enjoy about these buses.

#297 is one of just five remaining MAN SL200/Ansair MK II buses remaining operational and in revenue service with Transdev Melbourne. This bus operates from the Doncaster Depot. It is running revenue services at the ripe old age of 26 years, which is considered rare by Victorian bus standards.

Built between 1988 and 1990, these buses belonged to the former government operated 'Met Bus'. They were the first buses in Melbourne to feature both air conditioning and electronic destination displays. Later on, they were passed on to privatised operators such as National Bus Company and Melbourne Bus Link in the mid-late 1990s. Transdev Melbourne assumed control of the remaining SL200s in 2013 after taking the National Bus contract from Ventura, and the Melbourne Bus Link contract from Dysons/Reservoir Group (no Melbourne Bus Link SL200s were operational by that stage) Since then, they have slowly been phased out by newer buses and we now find ourselves down to the last five operational SL200s. Once these last five are removed from operational/revenue service, there will be no more remaining government ordered buses running in Melbourne.

This is a mid afternoon route 281 trip from Templestowe Village shops to Deakin University, Burwood via Doncaster Shoppingtown and Box Hill. The recording takes place from Doncaster Junction (Williamsons/Tram Rds & Doncaster Rd) to Whitehorse Rd Box Hill along Elgar Rd and around Box Hill Hospital.

Bus: Transdev Melbourne #297
Chassis: MAN SL200
Body: Ansair MK II
Body Date: 8.1990
Transmission: Renk 2-speed
Registration: 1195AO
Route: 281
Direction: Templestowe Shops-Deakin University, Burwood