Operator Newcastle Transport, proudly operated by Keolis Downer, recently held an open day to celebrate more than 100 years of service for its Hamilton depot.
The Hamilton depot was first used for steam tram maintenance in 1920 before becoming the home to the first electric trams in 1923.
By the mid-1930s, it began operating buses – most recently, on-demand ‘midi’ buses have joined the fleet at the depot alongside its first zero-emissions bus in 2023 to deliver a sustainable option in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Last weekend, Newcastle Transport welcomed members of the community, alongside past employees, neighbours and customers, to celebrate the special depot.
“Visitors had the opportunity to tour the depot and maintenance workshop, meet some of our drivers, check out our buses, try out the driver’s seat of the latest zero-emissions bus, enjoy a coffee and have face painting for the kids,” Keolis Downer Hunter general manager Emmanuel Genlot says.
“The Hamilton Bus Depot Open Day, held from 10am to 1pm, gave the community the opportunity to find out more about what we do, look back at public transport across the last 100 years and where public transport could be heading in the future.
“Our staff were on hand and excited to show people around the working depot.”