CDC Victoria
| Founded | early 1850s |
|---|---|
| Ceased operation | 23 February 2009 |
| Service area | Melbourne Ballarat Geelong |
| Service type | Truck, bus & coach operator |
| Depots | Altona Ballarat Geelong Oakleigh Sunshine Werribee |
| Website | www.kefford.com.au |
The Kefford Corporation was a transport company which operated in Victoria from the early 1850s until February 2009, when it was acquired by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge.[1]
History
The Kefford Corporation was started in the early 1850s when Richard Papworth Kefford began operating horse-drawn lorries in Collingwood. The business later began operating trucks but sold that side of its business in 1976.[2]
Westrans
In January 1976, Kefford Corporation became a public transport operator, with the purchase of Point Cook - Werribee Passenger Service, Werribee.
In July 1987, Bono Bus Lines, Maidstone was purchased with route 406 Footscray – Keilor East and operated from a new depot in Footscray.[3] As of 2021[update], the Bono family continues to operate Firefly Express in Maidstone.
In January 1988, Kefford Corporation purchased the Sitch Group and its subsidiaries:[4][5]
- Altona Bus Lines, Altona
- Footscray - Yarraville Bus Service, Yarraville
- North Sunshine Bus Service, Sunshine
- St Albans Bus Service, Sunshine
- Sitch Bus Service, Sunshine
In May 1991, St Kilda Bus Service was purchased with route 606 Port Melbourne - St Kilda and rebranded Werribee Bus Lines.[6]
The Point Cook - Werribee, Bono, Sitch and Weribee operations were rebranded as Westrans in Westrans.
Eastrans
In January 1988 Kefford Corporation also purchased routes 605 Melbourne City Centre − Elsternwick and 630 Elwood − Monash University from Sinclair's Bus Service.[5] The operation was rebranded as Eastrans in the 1990s.
Ballarat
In December 1981, Davis Motor Service in Ballarat was purchased.[7]
Geelong
In March 1999, Benders Buslines in Geelong was purchased.[8][9]
Purchased by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
In November 2008, ComfortDelGro Cabcharge (CDC) announced the acquisition of Kefford Corporation for A$149 million.[1] At the time Kefford was the fourth-largest bus operator in Victoria, with a fleet of 328 buses and six depots, and with a 16% market share. The acquisition was finalised on 23 February 2009.[10] All Kefford Corporation brands were retained by CDC until 2014.
References
- ^ a b Smith, Chris (20 December 2008). "Kefford Group Finds a Buyer". Australasian Bus and Coach. Bauer Trader Media. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ Kefford Corporation Archived 10 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Tiltaway
- ^ "Victorian Buses in the Eighties". Australian Bus Panorama (6/8): 14. May 1991.
- ^ Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Operators and Fleet Listings. Melbourne: Bus & Coach Society of Victoria. 1991. pp. 31–34.
- ^ a b "Victorian Buses in the Eighties". Australian Bus Panorama (7/1): 3. August 1991.
- ^ "Kefford Group Fleets". Australian Bus Panorama (7/1): 35. August 1991.
- ^ "Victorian Buses in the Eighties" Australian Bus Panorama 6/1 July 1990 page 13
- ^ Major bus buys for Kefford & Hill Archived 14 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Bus & Coach
- ^ "Kefford Expands" Australian Bus Panorama 15/4 February 2000 page 22
- ^ "ComfortDelGro Cabcharge Victoria". Archived from the original on 6 October 2010.