More than 200 buses will be needed for WA’s mining sector over the next 18 months – signalling the start of a new expansion
By David Goeldner | May 13, 2011
Enterprising Western Australian bus operator Adam Coachlines has just announced an expansion into the west’s burgeoning mining industry.
Managing Director Adam Barnard has started a new division of Adams Coachlines – Adams Mining Services – which commenced under the new banner in early April.
Barnard forecasts 225 buses will be needed for WA’s mining sector over the next 18 months.
He says his company wasn’t actively seeking engagement with the sector until approached by Downer EDI to supply vehicles for Fortescue Metals’ Christmas Creek operation at Newman in the state’s north.
“We were already working very closely with Downer Edi Engineering and we’ve had a relationship with them for a long time in corporate transport,” Barnard says.
“They approached us to see if we were interested.”
Barnard says he wasn’t initially interested in the contract, but now sees it as an opportunity, resulting in the new Adams Mining Services division.
“We had already worked for most of the major mining companies in corporate charter – and we are going to venture in a small way into providing mine site transport on the ground,” he says.
Two 53 seat Daewoos have been deployed to the Christmas Creek operation – 1100 kms north of Perth.
Barnard has employed 14 drivers to cover
two, then four vehicles, with each driver working on rotating shifts, flying to Newman to work eight days on, six days off rosters.
And having the right vehicles is also critical to the success of the minesite personnel transport operation.
“It’s a pretty harsh environment to operate in but the Daewoos have an excellent chassis to operate in those conditions,” Barnard says.
“There are two vehicles there now and there will be another two soon.”
Barnard now has nine Daewoos in his fleet of more than 40 vehicles.