Forest Coach Lines has purchased Coffs Harbour bus operator Ryans Bus Service, with the new ownership effective from the start of this month.
Ryans Bus Service operate Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) contracted and charter services within Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas.
Ryans was established in 1943 and is today a fourth generation business, operating buses from depots in Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and Grafton.
Forest Coach Lines CEO David Royle says he knows how much the Ryans family has contributed to the Coffs Harbour community and that his organisation plans to invest in the long term growth of the business.
“I would like to congratulate the Ryans family and their entire team on the success of their business,” Royle says.
“As a member of a third generation family business, I know the important role that the Ryans family has contributed to the success of the Coffs Harbour Region and its importance to all members of the community.
“Forest Coach Lines looks forward to working with their team on a successful transition, and continued investment in the long term growth of this outstanding business.”
Forest Coach Lines has run bus operations in the northern Sydney region since 1930, and in 2014 it completed the sale of a majority share of the operations to Next Capital, a long-time investor in international bus operations.
Ryans Bus service was started in 1943 by operations manager Nigel Tooth’s Grandfather Victor Ryan.
Ryans Bus Service is comprised of two separate depots in Coffs Harbour (16 buses) and Woolgoolga (14 buses), as well as housing two further buses in Grafton.
The Woolgoolga depot, which is 20 minutes’ drive up the coast from Coffs Harbour, was originally Watson’s Buses and was taken over by Ryans in 1999. The acquisition effectively doubled the fleet size and expanded the service area to include Grafton.
All buses at Ryans Bus Service are bought brand new and are predominantly a mixture of Hino and Iveco vehicles.
Tooth says while the sale of Ryans Buys Service to Forest Coach Lines is undoubtedly the end of an era, he is looking forward to the start of a brand new journey and will stay on in the organisation.
“Ryans have been in operation from a very long time – so it is a little sad, but this is a fresh start for everyone,” Tooth says.
Tooth, along with his sister Naomi Geurts, will remain a part of the business to manage the Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and Grafton offices and staff.
The company was sold as Tooth’s parents, Sam and Jenny Tooth, had officially retired last month.