Due to road closures on Kula Road Medowie route 136 and school services will need to be diverted during the closure.

136 Diversion for James Rd

137 Diversion for James Rd

ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) has completed its previously announced acquisition of the largest bus operator in the Rockhampton region.

Young’s Bus Service is now officially a part of CDC’s expanding regional bus portfolio, complementing its other operations in regional Australia.

The acquisition brings 42 additional buses and two depots under the control of CDC along with the delivery of route, school, and charter bus services in the area. It has also boosted CDC’s Queensland fleet size to 197 buses, while the total number operated in Australia is now close to 2500 buses.

ComfortDelGro Australia CEO Nicholas Yap said the finalised acquisition of Young’s Bus Service is another demonstration of the company’s growing commitment to public transport customers and communities across Australia.

“Young’s Bus Service is well-loved by the communities it serves and we are very pleased to introduce it to the CDC regional portfolio,” Mr Yap said.

“To maintain such vast local knowledge and provide continued quality services for our customers, we have retained the expertise of Young’s senior management team and we have offered all staff ongoing employment with us.

“This acquisition ties in well with other recent commitments to the communities of regional Australia, such as our expansion in Narrabri in New South Wales.

“We’re proud that our increased presence in regional Australia is offering more customers the benefits that come with the resources and experience of one of Australia’s largest bus operators, including advanced on-board technologies, increased safety and a strong focus on customer experience.

“We are also offering employees in regional locations the opportunities for career growth and mobility that come from working with a major global player.

“Throughout our operations, we have continuously displayed our dedication to linking people, places and communities across Australia and this will continue with Young’s,” Mr Yap said.

Son of founder Stan Young, Phil Young, who has been running the 71-year-old business with his brother David and mother Joan, said that CDC ownership would allow it to thrive into the future.

“To go with a bigger company would improve the business out of sight, for vehicles, for financing, for employment,” Mr Young said.

“My brother and I are excited about staying on with CDC for the foreseeable future, assisting in the day-to-day running of Youngs, before we step into our next chapter, retirement.”

CDC currently operates in six States and Territories in Australia – New South Wales, Victoria, the Australia Capital Territory, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Due to road closures on Kula Road Medowie route 137 and school services will need to be diverted during the closure.

ComfortDelGro Australia (CDC), Regional Australia Division has been named as a national finalist in the NSCA Foundation/GIO Workers Compensation 28^th Annual National Safety Awards of Excellence to be announced in December.

The digital transformation initiated by CDC’s regional Australia arm to increase the effectiveness of safety messages to its workforce has seen the major bus operator recognised as one of five contenders in this year’s ‘Best Communication of a Safety Message’ category in Australia’s longest running and independent awards, which recognise outstanding work health and safety initiatives.

NSCA Foundation, Event Manager, Richard Cornish said the awards, now in their 28^th year, continue to celebrate organisations and people that actively promote workplace health and safety as a cornerstone of elite business performance.

“The Category 4, ‘Best Communication of a Safety Message Award’, which is sponsored by Ansell, recognises organisations that have effectively and innovatively communicated a WHS/OHS message to their workforce.

“Finalists must be able to demonstrate their communication methods have led to a sustainable improvement in workplace behaviour, performance and all processes,” Mr Cornish said.

CDC Regional Australia Division Chief Executive Officer, Tony Hopkins, who heads CDC businesses in Northern Territory, Queensland, regional NSW, and ACT, congratulated his team on their recognition and dedication to the organisaton’s digital safety evolution.

“Safety is the number one priority in our business. As one of the country’s largest bus operators, and NT’s largest provider, with more than 4400 vehicles nationally, we carry a significant responsibility in the delivery of public, schools and charter services, not to mention our duty of care to 4000-plus employees nation-wide.

“It is incredibly gratifying to see the commitment and innovation shown by our small team behind the inhouse development of our safety communications program – initially rolled-out across the NT and Queensland – now recognised at this level, and amongst such esteemed company as the other national finalists.

“We’re also honoured to represent the safety message of the bus industry in a broad field of industries at this year’s awards,” Mr Hopkins said.

Judges shortlisted 34 finalists across eight categories, based upon their outstanding demonstration of innovation, commitment to safety as a business priority, proven return on investment, and leading work health and safety standards in their industry.

The other Category 4 finalists for 2021 are Bulla Dairy Foods, CBGJ D&C JV (Brisbane’s Cross River Rail partnership), City of Greater Geelong, and Water NSW.

Finalists will be formally recognised, and winners announced, at the 28th National Safety Awards Gala Luncheon on Wednesday, December 8 in Sydney.

This year’s event will be hosted by television sports presenter, reporter, and commentator Stephanie Brantz, with the Royal Australian Navy’s first female pilot Natalee Johnston delivering the keynote presentation.