Red Bus Service decorates buses for Christmas as its future remains in doubt

Three of the coast’s Red Buses are going above and beyond to spread Xmas cheer. It comes as the company’s contract has been extended however still remains in doubt for the future. Sign the petition here.

Red Bus Service is well and truly spreading the Christmas spirit despite its uncertain future.

Three buses are travelling through the region decked out with festive, colourful lights, trees, teddy bears, tinsel and a lot of Christmas cheer.

Three drivers have gone above and beyond to make it special after a tough year not only in the community but behind the wheel as a frontline worker.

Chris Wallace, Karen Burt and Trevor Williams took time out to decorate their buses like no other and are driving around dressed as Santa and Mrs Claus, while Red Bus Service worker Matt Johnstone can be seen at the depot fuelling up the buses in an Elf outfit.

Red Bus driver Karen Burt pictured in her bus. Picture: Sue Graham

Red Bus drivers Karen Burt, Trevor Williams, Matt Johnstone and Chris Wallace. Picture: Sue Graham

They are also spreading cheer to fellow employees at Red Bus Service whose job security remains in the balance as the company’s contract is set to go out to public tender.

A change.org petition has resulted in the company’s contract being extended an extra 12 months to June 2024, however Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has indicated that the tender for the Region 7 contract – which covers The Entrance, Gosford and Wyong areas – will still go out next year.

A Red Bus Service spokeswoman thanked the community, saying the first petition has resulted in the extension however a second petition needs to be signed. The company needs 10,000 signatures for the issue to be debated in parliament.

“The employees here thank everyone for their help,” she said.

“However we are asking if they can help again to sign another petition and hopefully cement our future further than 2024.”

Many people have been lunching with Red Bus drivers Karen Burt and Trevor Williams during their break at The Entrance. Picture: Sue Graham

Mr Wallace has been with Red Bus Service for 34 years and started the Christmas tradition 25 years ago. He has a toy Santa that rides shotgun on his Number 10 bus.

“I wanted to bring cheer to the public and after the past 18 months we want to bring extra cheer this year,” he told the Express.

“We love to see the faces of children when they board, they just love it.

“A lot of us are worried about the future, this is a tremendous company we work for.”

Mrs Burt, aka Mrs Claus on Bus 66, said an elderly resident became emotional on her decorated bus.

“She hasn’t been able to see family for a long time and said being on my bus was the first time she felt Christmas spirit,” she said.

The drivers say they love seeing faces of children as they enter the decorated buses. Picture: Sue Graham

“That made it all worth it and seeing the kids faces is so exciting. We even have people catching the wrong bus just to get on the Christmas bus.”

She spent eight hours decorating the bus which is filled with lights, tinsel, baubles and more.

Mr Williams, on Bus 80, and Mrs Burt have been spending their lunch breaks at The Entrance and as they sip on their “Man and Lady Shakes”, they have had crowds gathering to sit with Santa and Mrs Claus.

Mr William, who has been dressing up and decorating his bus for 11 years, said it had been a lonely time driving the buses during the Covid pandemic.

“During the peak of the lockdown, there were many occasions where no one boarded the bus,” he said.

The company also went all out during Movember with each bus getting a moustache and staff raising more than $5500 for mental health.

Red Bus Service, owned by the Shore family, has been on the coast for 80 years and has 160 staff members.

Red Bus Service has been operating across the coast for 80 years.

They have a 98 per cent customer satisfaction rating and 100 per cent satisfaction rating on the presentation of their buses.

The Express understands Red Bus is the first outer-metropolitan operator in NSW to not be offered a contract renewal via negotiation with the NSW Government.

TfNSW told the Express they “routinely tests and assesses the market to ensure we deliver the best possible transport service and value for customers”.

“We are currently making preparations for market testing for Region 7 bus services which operate on the Central Coast,” he said.

“Factors we are considering include customer comfort and safety, innovation skills, value and sustainability. All operators including existing service providers are invited and encouraged to be part of this process.”

To sign the latest petition, click here.