PORT BOTANY - LAST DAY OF STATE TRANSIT

 Well, yesterday was a big change in the transport world of Sydney, although it is one that next to no general public will likely notice today.

April 2nd saw the last day of the government-operated State Transit bus system (Region 9: Port Botany, Waverley and Randwick), with operations now run by 'Transdev-John Holland'.

I am far too old, and indifferent, to do out in the middle of the night to ride the last buses anymore (as opposed to here when the depot was new), so I marked the event by spending a few hours at the 'photographer-friendly'* Port Botany bus depot during the afternoon.

Not surprisingly, given the size of the job, the rebranding of the buses had commenced. By the time we had got there, the number of buses carrying the new operator logo along the roofline seemed to outnumber the very few left with the old State Transit one.

However, quite surprisingly, in a complete reversal of the hate thrown our way in recent weeks, many of the drivers were quite friendly, sharing a wave and a smile as they passed by. A vast improvement on yelling false legal advice and threats of police action. I am hopeful that recent serious events have led to some sort of depot-wide education on public photography rights.

More likely, we just got lucky today.

We wish all bus drivers, and depot staff,  the best of luck in the future as they enter a new era, with a new operator.

Following is a selection of photos taken during the day.

Being that they are all modern guff, do not be expecting much in the way of technical details as they really do not enthuse sorry :-)

The first thing we saw on arrival was 1685 (a Volvo B12BLEA apparently) already carrying the 'Transdev-John Holland' (TJH) logo.
Photo: Brad Peadon

1993 departing Port Botany depot, while 1899 arrives soon after.

Apparently, these are Mercedes-Benz O500LE CNG/CC CB60 Evo II, whatever all that guff means.
Photo: Brad Peadon

1896 going for a jaunt around the depot.
Photo: Brad Peadon

3720 with the old State Transit logo still remaining, next to 1698 with the new TJH version..
Photo: Brad Peadon

1694 approaches the depot on Bumborah Point Road.
Photo: Brad Peadon

4886 is apparently a Mercedes-Benz O500LE CNG of 2008.
Photo: Brad Peadon

4875 is also a Mercedes-Benz O500LE CNG of 2008.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Same bus.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Blogger appears to have thought this one worthy of including twice.
Photo: Brad Peadon

1694 on Bumborah Point Road.
Photo: Brad Peadon

1694 departing depot and on to Bumborah Point Road.
Photo: Brad Peadon

3053 departing the depot.

Curious to see if all the State Transit logos have already been changed on the signage.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2799 Bumborah Point Road.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2797 Port Botany depot exit.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Yeah, here we have another arriving. 

I hope this is not getting too boring.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2796 leaving.

One of the few we saw retaining the State Transit logo.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2796 before she was leaving.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Ohhh a red one, that breaks up the photos a bit.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2044.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2043 and some more depot signage.
Photo: Brad Peadon

And here we have another arriving.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2032 on Bumborah Point Road.
Photo: Brad Peadon

2016 approaches the depot on Bumborah Point Road.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A bus stop sign, with not a bus in view.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Another.
Photo: Brad Peadon

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Then the action commenced, as the rebranding team get to work on 2009, with a new TJH logo and accreditation details.

With that completed, along with hunger (and boredom) setting in, we decided to call it a day.

Below: Some footage of the depot when somewhat new.

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To finish off, a selection of older shots taken over the years.

* = Sarcasm intended.

Thanks to Jason Anthony TV and the Bus Australia website.

A video version will appear as motivation strikes.
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