Hoys Roadlines

Hoys Roadliners

N class locomotive and N set as used by Hoys Roadliners on the North East line in October 2007
Founded	1930
Ceased operation	2005
Headquarters	Wangaratta
Service area	North East Victoria
Service type	Bus & rail services
Website	www.buslines.com.au/hoys

Hoys Roadlines was an Australian bus operator based in the Victorian city of Wangaratta. From 1993 until 2004 the company also had a contract to operate train services on the Shepparton line on behalf of the Victorian State Government.

The company commenced operations in 1930 from Wangaratta in the north-east of Victoria, to Shepparton, Bright and the Mount Buffalo Chalet. The company later expanded into school bus runs, charter coaches, and Department of Infrastructure contract coach services such as the daily Albury to Adelaide service. The company begun to downsize their operations after the loss of the rail franchise, the Adelaide to Albury route operations being purchased by the Dyson Group in August 2004 and the remaining operations by V/Line in July 2005.

In August 1993 the Kennett State Government put the operation of nine country passenger rail services to tender. Companies were invited to use trains, buses, or a combination of the two. Hoys won a seven-year contract for the Melbourne to Cobram service from 1 July 1994.

Hoys opted to operate trains as far as Shepparton, with buses beyond. Station staff, conductors and buffet staff were employed by Hoys; but the trains themselves were operated and maintained under a lease arrangement with V/Line. This was in contrast to the other private company to win a contact, West Coast Railway for the Melbourne to Warrnambool service, who decided to purchase, maintain and operate its own trains.