Iconic Rockhampton bus service sold after 72 years

The buyer says the acquisition is a further step in the company’s expansion into the regional Australian bus market.

A ComfortDelGro bus in its Queensland fleet. Photo supplied.

One of the world’s largest land transport companies has purchased the iconic Rockhampton-based bus operator Young’s Bus Service.

On Tuesday ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) announced it had reached agreement with the owners of Young’s Bus Service to purchase the business.

The Young family has owned and operated buses in Rockhampton since 1949 and has a proud history of serving the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast regions.

Young’s Bus Service is the largest operator in the Rockhampton region - operating 42 buses from two depots and delivering route, school, and charter bus services to the local population. Subject to government approval, the purchase of the Young’s operation would provide a strong platform for the future growth of CDC’s regional business in the area.

ComfortDelGro Australia is expanding its operations into the Rockhampton region. Photo supplied.

ComfortDelGro Australia CEO Nicholas Yap said the acquisition was a further step in the company’s expansion into the regional Australian bus market.

He said it would complement the portfolio of the CDC Regional Australia division led by CEO Tony Hopkins, which includes CDC’s nearby Gladstone operation.

“We are excited to bring Young’s Bus Service into the CDC family and look forward to welcoming all of Youngs’ employees into our team and continuing to provide high quality and customer centric bus services for the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast regions,” Mr Yap said.

The acquisition will enable CDC to expand its bus operations in Queensland, where it already operates 155 buses.

Upon completion of the acquisition, CDC’s bus fleet in Queensland will increase to 197 buses with the total number of buses operated in Australia increasing to close to 2500 buses.

CDC currently operates in six states and territories in Australia – New South Wales, Victoria, the Australia Capital Territory, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.