![]() |
![]() |
Back in 2014 Grants had a mixed fleet of around twenty coaches based in Adelaide, together with contract buses. This 1996 Autobus integral coach, SB60ER, was new to Symes Coaches of Inverell in NSW with rego TV492. |
This Autobus body is mounted on a Volvo B7R chassis, SB45CC. The 1998 build is ex Sunstate Coaches, Eagle Farm in Queensland where it was 910ENC. Alongside is another integral Autobus also dating from 1998 and in plain white livery, SB49FK. The coach has several previous owners having been 107 (1796AO) with Driver Bus Lines who acquired it with the Mawson's Coaches business. Before that it was in New South Wales with The Oxley Explorer of Walcha as 17 (MO7862), and 22 (TV3704) with Coach Charter Specialists of Sydenham and 22 (WDX738) with Bute Buses back in South Australia. |
When first seen at the Grants depot in March 2014 it was not known if this Denning Landseer, SB19EM, was part of the fleet or not. In plain white and bearing fleet number 16, in an otherwise - at the time - unnumbered fleet, it was a bit of a mystery. Since then a bit of the mystery has been solved, the coach was new in 1990 to Benders in Geelong as their 74 (ECD774, later 3476AO). It was sold on to Mackay Transit where it was numbered 16 (MTC16). It appears to have been owned by Alex's Mini Charter in Adelaide since 2012, but still does not explain its presence in Grants yard. |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
In full livery on the left is 1993 MCA bodied Hino RG197K SB20CC originally with Coles of Warrnambool. Next up is an MAN 16.240, WXA998, with PMCA 160 body. The bus was new to Blue Ribbon in 1989, but acquired from Dunn in Kadina, SA, where it was 32. It also saw service with Adelaide Coachlines, and two operators in Caringbah, NSW as MO1473: Kurnell Passenger & Transport Service and S. Crowther. On the end is 2007 Mitsubishi Rosa Deluxe, SB58EV, ex Kanga. |
Also from Maffra, but Maffra Bus Lines was this second Ansair Orana, SB91HK, but this time on a 1995 MAN 14.230 chassis. It was sold on locally to Farnham Roadlines. |
|   |
|   |
|   |
Still in Driver Bus Lines colours, which actually blend well with fleet livery, is the Volgren bodied Volvo B10M, SB43DV, in the contract fleet. The 1992 vintage bus was 33 (1033AO) when in Melbourne. |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|
Seen at the Esperance depot of Busy Blue Bus in dealer white, was this 1989 Denning Majestic bodied Mercedes O303, CVL1802. New to APT they sold it on to Canberra Coaches and it moved within the ACT to Capital Coaches. From there it went to Adelaide with Grants as XCY936 before it ended up in Esperance where it was seen in November 2018.
Picture ref C2305 |
|   |
|
It was nearly twelve years until Grants Coaches were encountered again. This time on the occasion of a wedding at the Dandelion Winery south of the city. Here new Irizar i6 bodied Volvo B8R, IRIZAR 15 (XS15JQ) is waiting to convey the guests to the winery from Kingston Park Station on December 29th 2025.
Picture ref D9759 |
|
Time to leave the winery, the reception building in the background and the bride visible of the right.
Picture ref D9761 |
|
Earlier IRIZAR 15 is seen just after arrival at the stunning Dandelion Winery.
Picture ref D9760 |
|
A couple of days later and the coach was seen in the Adelaide depot. It was the only Irizar yet to be fitted with a "roo bar".
Picture ref D9775 |
|
A year older is IRIZAR 14 (XS14IR), complete with "roo bar" alongside a trio of Volgrens - see below.
Picture ref D9780 |
|
On the extreme right of the above photo was this pair of Volgren Endura bodied Mercedes OH1830, MERC 22 (XS22BG) of 2013 and MERC37 (XS37AS) of 2014. Both had been acquired from Buslink Vivo in the NT, 173 (MO3723) and 201 (MO3233) respectively.
Picture ref D9782 |
|   |
|
Acquired from the local Kildare College was this 2013 Bonluck Victor, BLK99 (SB99JK).
Picture ref D9785 |
|   |
|
Here is one of a pair of recently acquired Toyota Coasters, TOY24 (XS24KE).
Picture ref D9788 |
|   |
|
The fleet also has some older Rosas, this is Fuso Rosa deluxe ROSA70 (SB70LJ), new to Kanga in 2016.
Picture ref D9789 |
|   |
|   |
|
This BCI was a recent arrival in the fleet, BCI81 (XS81CK), new to Willunga Charter in 2022.
Picture ref D9774 |
|
In the bus wash was MARCO50 (SB50LG), a ten year old Marcopolo Audace bodied Volvo B9R new to Kanga.
Picture ref D9772 |
|
MARCO77 (XS77CL), one of a pair of new in 2020, is seen on the far end of a line of three Irizars. Nearest the camera is IRIZAR 13 (XS13IG) a Volvo B8R new in 2024, then identical IRIZAR 11 (XS11EP) new in 2021 and IRIZAR 12 (XS12HF) new in 2023.
Picture ref D9779 |
|
Here is a better view of Volvo B8R MARCO77.
Picture ref D9778 |
|
Bought at the same time was Volvo B9R MARCO78 (XS78CL).
Picture ref D9787 |
|
The fleet also boasted a pair of Coach Concepts bodied Volvo B11R coaches at the end of 2025, VOL43 (SB43NQ) and VOL44 (XS44HO), both new in 2023.
Picture ref D9776 |
|
Just over seven years old was this only Coach Design bodied Volvo B11R, VOL98 (XS98AT).
Picture ref D9777 |
|
Grants has favoured Yutongs for mid sized vehicles. This is YUTONG 46 (XS46FX), a D7 new in 2022.
Picture ref D9783 |
|
The oldest was YUTONG 86 (SB86MB) a D9 new in 2016.
Picture ref D9786 |
|
D7 models, YUTONG 76 (XS76JG) and YUTONG 66 (XS66HI), were new in 2024 and 2023 respectively.
Picture ref D9773 |
|
Yutong D7 of 2024, YUTONG 69 (XS69IC) is sandwiched between a pair of larger D9 models, YUTONG 96 (XS96EG) of 2021 and YUTONG 36 (XS36GK) new in 2022.
Picture ref D9781 |
24 Audley St, Woodville North SA 5012 |
![]() |
![]() |