Firefly Express

Firefly Express is an Australian interstate coach operator.

Firefly Express

Coach Concepts bodied Scania K124EB in Wagga Wagga in February 2010
Parent	Frank Bono
Commenced operation	1966
Headquarters	Maidstone
Service type	Coach operator
Routes	2
Destinations	Adelaide Melbourne Sydney
Depots	1
Fleet	27 (July 2022)
Website	www.fireflyexpress.com.au

History

Firefly Express' origins can be traced back to 1966 when Frank Bono and George Sita purchased route 406 Footscray to East Keilor from Barnes Buslines. In 1968 Bono took full control. In August 1974 route 504 Moonee Ponds to Clifton Hill was purchased, being sold in December 1975.^[1][2]

In November 1986 Firefly commenced operating an overnight Melbourne to Sydney service. In July 1987 route 406 was sold to Westrans and the Melbourne charter licences of VIP Express purchased.^[2][3][4][5]

In December 1987 a daylight service was introduced between Melbourne and Sydney but did not become a permanent feature. In September 1988 an overnight Melbourne to Adelaide service commenced.^[2][6][7] In 2008, Firely entered a codeshare agreement with Greyhound Australia for the Adelaide service.^[8]

In 2008 Firefly commenced operating services between Ballarat, Ararat, Murtoa, Horsham and Nhill under contract to V/Line.^[8] In July 2021, Firefly took over 10 Bacchus Marsh Grammar school runs.^[9]

Fleet

Firefly commenced interstate operations using Austral Tourmaster and later HD1 coaches.^[10] In the 1990s it purchased double-deck Denning Landseer coaches, some second-hand. Since 1998 it has purchased Scanias with Coach Design and Coach Concepts bodywork. As at July 2022, the fleet consisted of 27 vehicles.^[11]