Hillsbus

In 1996, Westbus established a separate Hillsbus brand to run express services from the Hills District to the Sydney CBD and North Sydney, initially via the Anzac Bridge and from 1997 via the M2 Hills Motorway."Second City Private Service Starts" Australian Bus Panorama issue 11/9 June 1996 page 25 However, the Hillsbus brand seemed to have disappeared by the 2000s as these services were classified as Westbus rather than Hillsbus in early versions of the Westbus website.[http://www.westbus.com.au/PublicRoutes/RouteList.asp?RouteType=WEEKDAYS/ Westbus Weekdays Timetables April 2001], Retrieved 10 July 2014{{dead link|date=February 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} These Westbus services, however, were still referred to by Westbus as "Hills City Express".[https://web.archive.org/web/20050924185834/http://www.westbus.com.au/about_westbus/history.asp Westbus Website - History September 2002], Retrieved 4 August 2015

File:NorbrikTwaystation4.JPG 510 bodied Mercedes-Benz O405 in September 2007]]

File:Hillsbus_(mo_9820)_Volgren_'CR228L'_bodied_Scania_K280UB_14-5m_at_Castle_Hill_Interchange.jpg CR228L bodied Scania K280UB in July 2013]]

On 11 February 2002, Hillsbus was revived as a joint venture between Westbus and National Express' newly acquired Glenorie Bus Company, and introduced a new bus route 642 under the Hillsbus brand.[https://web.archive.org/web/20020610033841/http://www.glenoriebus.com.au/timetables/m2.htm M2 City Express Service], Glenorie Bus Company, Published 2002, Retrieved 10 July 2014 This service linked Dural and the City via the M2 and was therefore known as a "M2 City" express service. The joint venture also brought in five new articulated buses for the service in May that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.westbus.com.au/News/News.asp?NewsRef=611&SiteRef=2|title=Hillsbus makes history with first bendy-bus in twenty years!|website=Westbus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020614013645/http://www.westbus.com.au/News/News.asp?NewsRef=611&SiteRef=2|archive-date=14 June 2002|url-status=dead}} On 8 July 2002, Hillsbus introduced three more M2 City routes 650, 652 and 654.[https://web.archive.org/web/20020810090601/http://www.hillsbus.com.au/ Hillsbus Home Page August 2002], Retrieved 10 July 2014[https://web.archive.org/web/20021024121448/http://www.hillsbus.com.au/new_services/new_hills_bus_service_650-2-4_press_release.htm M2 Services Doubled With Introduction of West Pennant Hills Valley Services], Hillsbus, Published 2002, Retrieved 10 July 2014 According to the Hillsbus timetables, these Hillsbus services were operated by Glenorie,[https://web.archive.org/web/20050329045936/http://www.glenoriebus.com.au/timetables/m2map.pdf M2 Bus Map July 2004], Glenorie Bus Company, Retrieved 10 July 2014 even though neither Westbus nor Glenorie buses were used.[http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/lib/docs/094525-ar2001.pdf National Express Annual Report 2001 Page 7] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014135727/http://nationalexpressgroup.com/lib/docs/094525-ar2001.pdf |date=14 October 2011 }}, Retrieved 10 July 2014

In December 2004, all Westbus routes operating out of Northmead and Seven Hills depots, as well as the rest of Glenorie Bus Company, were rebranded Hillsbus.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928125036/http://www.hillsbus.com.au/ Hillsbus Home Page September 2007] Hillsbus At the same time, Hillsbus took over the operation of Harris Park Transport routes 620 - 630, following the latter ceasing operation. The services were transferred from Hillsbus to Sydney Buses on 28 January 2005.[https://web.archive.org/web/20050307130533/http://www.hillsbus.com.au/schools/harris%20park%20bus%20finish%20a4%20poster.pdf Cessation of some Hillsbus services], Published January 2005, Retrieved 10 July 2014 On 25 September 2005, after the purchase of Hillsbus by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge, routes 620, 625, 626, 627 and 630 were transferred back to Hillsbus.[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=HPT Harris Park Transport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219052804/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?info=HPT |date=19 February 2014 }} Australian Bus Fleet Lists

Despite the rebranding to Hillsbus, the new Hillsbus website was only launched in January 2006, about a year after the rebranding.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060111073248/http://hillsbus.com.au/ Hillsbus Home Page January 2006], Retrieved 10 July 2014 The delay could be related to the debt of Westbus and was only resolved after the sale of Westbus and Hillsbus to CDC. After the launch of the new website, it still did not show any timetables of the former Glenorie-operated timetables until May/June 2006, and during this period, customers were asked to check the Glenorie website instead.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060116061935/http://www.hillsbus.com.au/timetables/timetable_list.asp Hillsbus Timetables May 2006], Retrieved 10 July 2014

When the Parramatta - Rouse Hill section of the North-West T-way opened on 10 March 2007, routes 730 (renumbered T63) and 735 (renumbered 616, now 616X) were transferred from Busways to Hillsbus with route 718 transferred from Hillsbus to Busways.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070830192105/http://www.busways.com.au/viewnews.asp?newsid=233 Improved bus services in the Blacktown region] Busways 27 February 2007

On 30 June 2014, the Opal card was rolled out on all of Hillsbus' NightRide and Region 4 routes (including school services).{{Cite web|url =http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-rolls-out-almost-600-buses-sydney%E2%80%99s-north-west-free-trips-hit-4-million|title =Opal rolls out to almost 600 buses in Sydney's North West as free trips hit 4 million|access-date =23 June 2014|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140623133338/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-rolls-out-almost-600-buses-sydney%E2%80%99s-north-west-free-trips-hit-4-million|archive-date =23 June 2014|url-status =dead|df =dmy-all}}[http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2014/opal-forest-rollout.page Opal extends to all CDC Hillsbus routes from 30 June] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702062705/http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2014/opal-forest-rollout.page |date=2 July 2014 }}, Transport Info NSW, Retrieved 23 June 2014

On 28 July 2019, after the Sydney Metro Northwest opened in May, bus routes in the Hills District were reorganised, with some services rerouted to stop at various Sydney Metro stations.[https://web.archive.org/web/20190719235106/https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/bus-service-adjustments-in-sydneys-north-west Bus service adjustments in Sydney’s North West] Transport for NSW 3 July 2019[https://web.archive.org/web/20190811195428/https://transportnsw.info/service-adjustments-2019 Service adjustments from 28 July ] Transport for NSW

In November 2022, CDC was awarded the contract to retain Region 4. The Hillsbus branding on buses was gradually replaced by the CDC NSW brand in early 2023, in time for the commencement of the new contract in April 2023.{{cite web|url=https://cdcbus.com.au/comfortdelgro-australia-group-wins-bid-to-expand-bus-services-in-sydney/|title=ComfortDelGro Australia Group Wins Bid to Expand Bus Services in Sydney|publisher=CDC NSW|date=7 November 2022|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=7 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107060707/https://cdcbus.com.au/comfortdelgro-australia-group-wins-bid-to-expand-bus-services-in-sydney/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/comfortdelgro-wins-city-bus-contracts-worth-a17b-in-sydney|title=ComfortDelGro wins city bus contracts worth A$1.7b in Sydney|publisher=The Business Times Singapore|date=7 November 2022|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=7 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107060718/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/comfortdelgro-wins-city-bus-contracts-worth-a17b-in-sydney|url-status=live}}

File:Hillsbus_Volvo_B10MA_(Custom_Coaches_CB50)_-_MO8269-610X-B-la.jpg CB50 bodied Volvo B10MA on route 610X]]

File:MO_9310_616X.jpg CR228L bodied Scania L94UB on route 616X]]

From 2005 until its replacement by CDC NSW in 2023, Hillsbus' services had formed Sydney Bus Region 4.[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/abouttrans/Region-4.pdf Region 4] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325104217/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/abouttrans/Region-4.pdf |date=25 March 2012 }} Transport NSW In August 2013, Hillsbus successfully tendered to operate the Region 4 services for another five years from August 2014.[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/more-60-new-buses-and-improved-customer-service-new-bus-contracts More than 60 new buses and improved customer service with new bus contracts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908074902/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/more-60-new-buses-and-improved-customer-service-new-bus-contracts |date=8 September 2013 }} Transport for NSW 29 August 2013[https://www.cabcharge.com.au/pdfsubframe.htm?/pdf/Annual_Report_2013.pdf?sel=conditions Annual Report 2013 page 4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505131601/https://www.cabcharge.com.au/pdfsubframe.htm?/pdf/Annual_Report_2013.pdf%3Fsel=conditions |date=5 May 2014 }} Cabcharge

At the time of cessation, Hillsbus operated the following services:

• 535 from Parramatta to Carlingford (rail replacement bus service)
• Bus routes 600 to 665 in Sydney's north-western suburbs, including
• 600 (formerly Metrobus M60) from Hornsby to Parramatta
• 610X (formerly Metrobus M61) from Castle Hill to Queen Victoria Building.
• 66x series along the North West T-Way (formerly T6x series)
• Express services along the M2 Hills Motorway and Lane Cove Tunnel to Macquarie Park, North Sydney and Queen Victoria Building
• Bus routes 700 to 715 in Sydney's western suburbs (Wentworthville, Seven Hills, Blacktown)

{{main|Buses in Sydney#Rail replacement bus services}}

Hillsbus also operated other railway replacement bus services between 2018 and 2019. Hillbus operated Station Link services (SLx series) between September 2018 and May 2019, while the Epping to Chatswood rail link was closed for upgrading and conversion to Sydney Metro Northwest. It stopped at Epping, Chatswood, Macquarie Park, Eastwood, Macquarie University, Beecroft and St Leonards stations. It was jointly operated with Transdev NSW.{{cite web|url=http://data.mysydney.nsw.gov.au/documents/FAQStationLink.pdf|title=Upgrade of the Epping to Chatswood line - Station Link bus services|website=MySydney - NSW Government|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608084047/http://data.mysydney.nsw.gov.au/documents/FAQStationLink.pdf|archive-date=8 June 2018|url-status=live}} The service ceased when the Metro opened in May 2019.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

Thereafter, until November 2019, Hillsbus operated the North West Night Bus to supplement the Metro North West Line on Sunday to Wednesday nights.{{cite web|url=https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/36-NW1-Tallawong-to-Chatswood-20190526.pdf|title=NW1 Timetable - May 2019|website=Transport Info NSW|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505210504/https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/36-NW1-Tallawong-to-Chatswood-20190526.pdf|archive-date=5 May 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/36-NW2-Tallawong-to-Chatswood-Limited-Stops-20190526.pdf|title=NW2 Timetable - May 2019|website=Transport Info NSW|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505210704/https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/36-NW2-Tallawong-to-Chatswood-Limited-Stops-20190526.pdf|archive-date=5 May 2019|url-status=dead}} Like Station Link, it was jointly operated with Transdev NSW.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

File:Transport NSW liveried (mo 6088), operated by Hillsbus, Bustech CDi at Castle Hill Interchange.jpg

As of July 2022, Hillsbus operated 601 buses across four depots:{{cite web|url=http://cdcbus.com.au/contact-corporate/contact-us-hillsbus|title=Contact Us - Hillsbus|website=CDC NSW - Hillsbus|access-date=5 March 2020|archive-date=4 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304100708/https://cdcbus.com.au/contact-corporate/contact-us-hillsbus|url-status=live}}[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/index-cdc.php CDC Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509050301/http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/index-cdc.php |date=9 May 2019 }} Australian Bus Fleetlists

• Foundry Road (F) in Seven Hills – Head Office of Hillsbus – 204 buses
• Dural (D) – 177 buses
• Northmead (N) – 188 buses
• Seven Hills (V) - another depot also in Seven Hills, smaller than Foundry Road depot – 32 buses

Hillsbus also operated 62 buses at the Camellia depot designated for Station Link between September 2018 and May 2019, but they have since been moved to other Hillsbus, Hunter Valley Buses and Blue Mountains Transit depots after the cessation of Station Link.

File:Hillsbus Volvo B7RLE (Volgren Optimus).jpg Optimus bodied Volvo B7RLE in December 2014]]

Prior to 2010, Hillsbus adopted Westbus' new plain yellow livery. With the introduction of Metrobus routes, the Metrobus livery was applied to new buses dedicated to Metrobus operations. In 2010, the Transport for NSW white and blue livery began to be applied on new buses and repainted buses. Fleet dedicated for Station Link also carried the Transport for NSW livery but with "Station Link" labels and a pink body front. Most of the Station Link fleet have had the labels and pink front removed after the cessation of Station Link.

File:HillsBus.JPG|Hillsbus Custom Coaches bodied Mercedes-Benz O405 on Clarence Street painted in original Westbus cream & red livery in October 2007

File:Hillsbus (Glenorie Bus Company) Volvo B10BLE mo8342 April 2009.jpg|Hillsbus Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B10BLE at Pennant Hills in April 2009, still in the original Glenorie Bus Company livery

File:Hillsbus (mo 9877) Volgren 'CR228L' bodied Scania K230UB at Castle Hill Interchange.jpg|Hillsbus Volgren bodied Scania K230UB at Castle Hill bus interchange in July 2013, in previous yellow livery

File:Metrobus liveried (mo 9867), operated by Hillsbus, Volgren 'CR228L' bodied Scania K280UB 14-5m at Castle Hill Interchange.jpg|Discontinued Metrobus liveried Hillsbus Volgren CR228L bodied Scania K280UB at Castle Hill bus interchange

File:StationLink_SL1_Bus_(cropped).jpg|Hillsbus Volgren bodied Volvo B7RLE in Station Link livery

File:Transport NSW liveried (mo 6055), operated by Hillsbus, Volgren 'CR228L' bodied Volvo B7RLE at Castle Hill Interchange.jpg|Volgren CR228L bodied Volvo B7RLE at Castle Hill Interchange in Transport for NSW livery

{{reflist}}

{{commons category-inline}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20220118232645/http://www.cdcbus.com.au/hillsbus Hillsbus website (January 2022)]
• [http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=49 Bus Australia CDC Sydney gallery]

{{ComfortDelGro}}

{{Mobico Group}}

{{List of public transport operators in Sydney}}

Category:Bus companies of New South Wales

Category:ComfortDelGro companies

Category:Defunct bus companies of Australia

Category:Mobico Group

Category:Transport companies established in 2004

Category:Transport companies disestablished in 2023

Category:2004 establishments in Australia

Category:2023 disestablishments in Australia

Category:The Hills Shire