In a post to its Facebook page earlier this week, the Queensland Omnibus & Coach Society (QOCS) farewelled Joe Calabro.
Calabro has been an Australian bus industry icon, having had an impact on many in Queensland and Australia.
In 1989, Joe and Tony Calabro took over Surfside Buslines from Greyhound (Russell Penfold) with 56 buses in June 1989, followed by a string of acquisitions culminating in the take-over of Sunbus from Transit Australia in April 2008.
The restructure meant Calabro’s Queensland business came under the Transit Australia Group.
The Calabros also founded local manufacturer BusTech Group in 1998, adding it to the Transit Australia Group.
“QOCS is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of icon Joe Calabro,” QOCS says.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the Calabro family at this difficult time.”