Osborn's Bus Services, founded by Reg Osborn, is located in Muswellbrook has been servicing the region for more than 70 years and is a family owned business, operating over 3 generations.
Ray Osborn, son of Reg, commenced working at Reg Osborn Pty. Ltd. 43 years ago as a motor mechanic, he is now owner and General Manager, but considers himself a 'Jack of all trades'. As General Manager, he is assisted in the business by his daughter Melinda as Office Manager and son Brett as Workshop Manager and also a staff consisting of approximately 50 permanent and casual employees.
HISTORY
Reg Osborn commenced business in Muswellbrook in 1937. He entered the transport business by winning a contract to carry milk and cream to the Muswellbrook Butter Factory when the Upper Hunter Area first became part of the city milk zone.
About this time, school transport commenced and Reg was on the ground floor. With a seven seater Dodge car, an International Parlor coach and a Ford bus on the country passenger runs – the runs were well catered for. The school runs comprised of a White bus, AEC, two Chevrolet 33 passenger buses.
By 1952 Reg won a contract to distribute the Sydney newspapers from Sydney to Moree, daily, using Ford Mainlines utes and International trucks. Thereafter in 1955 the Mobil Oil Agency in the district was up for sale and Reg transported fuel and oil products from the Newcastle depot to the Upper Hunter.
He later bought Albion double deckers to transport workers to Liddell Power Station during it’s construction.
In 1967 Reg purchased his first new Bedford VAM bus. The fleet gradually grew with the purchase of AEC & Atlantean Double decker buses, Isuzu, Hino, and currently buying Volvo’s.
A town service was started in 1982, linking to train timetables and dropping off at major parts throughout the town. A Town to village service came in later years.
The fleet today consists of 43 vehicles, including five trucks and two utes distributing daily newspapers from Sydney to Tamworth, Moree and Coonabarabran. 36 buses, mainly used for school runs, town, town to village passenger runs and charter work, 10 of these buses are located at the Scone Depot. These buses transport some 2,600 passengers daily to 14 different schools throughout Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter.