Darwinbus

Territory Transit Custom Coaches bodied Mercedes-Benz OC500LE in June 2016
ParentNorthern Territory Government
Founded1978
HeadquartersBerrimah
Service areaDarwin, Casuarina, Palmerston and Rural Areas
Service typePublic Transport
Routes39
HubsDarwin CBD, Casuarina, Palmerston
Depots3
Fleet79
OperatorCDC Northern Territory
Websitewww.transport.nt.gov.au/public/bus/darwin

Darwinbus is the official operational name of the public bus network which operates within the Greater Darwin region, this includes the satellite cities Palmerston and Casuarina, in addition to the Darwin Rural Area in the Northern Territory.[1] The network is exclusively operated by CDC Northern Territory under a six-year contract with the Northern Territory Government starting from 1 July 2022,[2] and in the financial year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, carried approximately 3.5 million passengers,[3] equivalent to a 5-6% modeshare.[4] Prior to July 2022, the network was operated by two contractors; CDC Northern Territory (previously known as Buslink), and Territory Transit who had shared operation of the majority of urban bus services.[1][5]

Services formerly operated by Territory Transit had been run by the government-owned Darwin Bus Service ("DBS") until October 2014, who had provided about 40% of all services in the Darwin region since Buslink commenced operation during the 1980s.[6] In December 2013, it was announced that Darwin Bus Service services would be privatised.[7][8] In July 2014, Transit Systems (owner of Territory Transit) was announced as the successful tenderer.[9][10][11] In October 2014, Territory Transit took over the former Darwin Bus Service bus operation.[12][13]

In May 2022, CDC Northern Territory was announced as the successful bidder after a competitive tender process.[14][15] While both incumbents placed bids for the tender, Australian Transit Group also placed a bid during the tender process.[16]

  1. ^ a b "Darwin Bus Service". Bus Australia. 2 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  2. ^ "ComfortDelGro Australia Group Wins Bid To Operate Bus Services In Darwin". CDC Northern Territory. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  3. ^ "DIPL Annual Report 2018-19" (PDF). Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics. 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Update on Australian transport trends (December 2019)". Charting Transport. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Public Transport". Northern Territory Government. Northern Territory Transport Group. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  6. ^ NT Government to privatise Darwin buses NT News 6 December 2013
  7. ^ Darwin bus service to be sold off ABC News 6 December 2013
  8. ^ New Providers for Darwin Bus Service Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Department of Transport 6 July 2014
  9. ^ Move to NT Australasian Bus & Coach 7 July 2014
  10. ^ Transit Systems secures Darwin Urban Bus Services contract - 8 July 2014 Archived 6 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transit Systems website Retrieved 6 November 2014
  11. ^ Transit Systems welcomed to the Top End Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 2 October 2014
  12. ^ Territory Transit Home Page Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 11 October 2014
  13. ^ "CDC Commences Services Under New Darwin Contract". CDC Northern Territory. 1 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Darwin Bus Services Contract Update". Australian Securities Exchange. Kelsian. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Quotations and Tenders Online | Tender Details". tendersonline.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 17 December 2022.