Jennifer Pittorino
Maribrynong and Hobsons Bay residents will soon be able to take tours around the west in a restored bus, thanks to a grant awarded to Diesel Electric Rail Motor Preservation Association of Victoria (DERMPAV).
The West Gate Tunnel Project has given DERMPAV a $87,579 grant to restore a 1953 AEC Victorian Tramways bus and run bus tours around Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
Secretary Colin Kelly said they had acquired the bus in 2015 and have been waiting to start the restorations ever since.
“This grant will allow us to finish all of the outstanding projects we have on the bus, it will allow us to finish the bus completely,” he said.
Mr Kelley said the tours will operate into the CBD as well as across Hobsons Bay.
“Because of the assistance we have received from Hobsons Bay council we are also going to be running tours around the seaboard,” he said.
“These places can include Seaworks and Rail works and all of those sorts of places, it might be half a day tour or a full day.”
Mr Kelley said the grant will be used for a number of things to get the bus in working conditions.
“We need to have all new seat frames made, as well the upholstery because it’s a million years old,” he said,
“The grant will allow us to do all the panel work and all the framework that’s outstanding, which is quite substantial, as well as just final bits and pieces.”
Mr Kelley expects that the tours will begin mid 2025, with the works expected to start soon.
“We are going to try to have it finished in the early months of 2025, but we expect the tours won’t start until roughly August when the drivers are comfortable with it,” he said.
“Even though the bus will be finished, the drivers have to have a period of time where they are driving without any passengers.”
The crew are excited to get the bus up and running for the first time since 2009.
“We can’t wait to finish the bus, it’ll be just fantastic.”
