Big Bus Sydney
{{Short description|Australian sightseeing bus service}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox bus line
|name = Big Bus Sydney
|logo =
|image =
|image_caption =
|operator = City Sightseeing
|status =
|open = 23 November 1980
|close = 2016
|former_operator = State Transit Authority
Urban Transit Authority
|locale = Sydney
|start = Circular Quay
|via = Sydney central business district
Sydney Harbour Bridge
|end = Circular Quay
|length = }}
Big Bus Sydney, previously Sydney Explorer, is a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour in Sydney, Australia.
History
On 23 November 1980, the Urban Transit Authority commenced operating the Sydney Explorer looping the Sydney central business district in partnership with Department of Tourism. It was numbered 111.Sydney Explorer Electric Traction December 1980 page 191UTA in new city tourism venture Truck & Bus Transportation January 1981 page 99
The initial 17 kilometre route had 20 stops running from Circular Quay via the Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Hospital, Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Art Gallery, Kings Cross, Elizabeth Bay House, the Australian Museum, Central station, George Street and The Rocks.Here & There Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 519 January 1981 page 2Sydney's Modern Day Explorer State Wide October 1981 page 8
From May 1982 it was diverted to operate via Pier One at Dawes Point.Urban Transit Authority Fleetline issue 85 August 1982 page 134 In September 1991, the route was extended across the Harbour Bridge to McMahons Point.Services Australian Bus Panorama issue 8/1 August 1992 page 33 From September 1992 it was altered to operate over the Harbour Bridge in the northbound direction, and via the Sydney Harbour Tunnel southbound.Explorer goes under the harbour Truck & Bus Transportation November 1992 page 112State Transit Australian Bus Panorama issue 8/5 February 1993 page 24
In June 1993, it was altered to operate via the Sydney Aquarium and Wynyard Park in lieu of Pier One. On the same date, it resumed travelling across the Harbour Bridge in both directions, but to Milsons Point in lieu of McMahons Point.Services Fleetline issue 217 August 1993 page 164Other Sydney Services Australian Bus Panorama issue 9/2 September 1993 page 31 In 2002 it ceased to operate via Elizabeth Bay after the installation of speed bumps in Greenknowe Avenue that buses were unable to travel over.Sydney Explorer Fleetline issue 285 August 2003 page 112
In November 2010, the Sydney Explorer service was sold by State Transit to City Sightseeing who had been operating open top bus tours in Sydney since the early 2000s.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110809082842/http://www.sydneybuses.info/news/archived-news/changes-to-explorer-services-and-sydneypass-tickets-from-sunday-28-november Changes to Explorer services and SydneyPass tickets from Sunday 28 November] Sydney Buses November 2010Sydney Explorer Services Sold Australian Bus issue 43 January 2011 page 19
No buses were included in the sale, with City Sightseeing continuing to operate its existing routes only with its fleet of MCW Metrobuses. From May 2012 new Anhui Ankai buses were introduced on these routes. Operations initially operated under the City Sightseeing brand, before the Big Bus name was introduced in 2016 and the Sydney Explorer brand retired."[https://www.keybuses.com/article/big-bus-rebrands-sydney-explorer-tour-its-own Big Bus rebrands Sydney Explorer tour as its own]" Buses issue 747 June 2017 page 19 {{Web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718172453/https://www.keybuses.com/article/big-bus-rebrands-sydney-explorer-tour-its-own|date=18 Jul 2024}}
Vehicles
The Sydney Explorer was initially operated by a fleet of five Pressed Metal Corporation bodies Mercedes-Benz O305s out of Randwick Bus Depot.Sydney Explorer Trolley Wire issue 191 December 1980 page 23 These were replaced by four new O305s in 1985 which were replaced by six Mercedes-Benz O405s in 1990.Urban Transit Authority Fleetline issue 119 June 1985 page 101 The first two fleets, apart from being painted in red Sydney Explorer livery and having a public address system, were identical to those used in normal service.{{cite book|last1=Travers|first1=Greg|title=From City to Suburb...a fifty year journey|date=1982|publisher=Historic Commercial Vehicle Association|location=Sydney|isbn=0959601627|page=201}} The last fleet were fitted out with coach seating.