THE Dyson Group of companies has bought Wang aratta Coachlines from the Joyce family.
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Don and Brenda Joyce started the business in 1987, and it has grown to have about 40 staff to run a fleet of 40 buses.
The business operates 23 government contracts, school services, and an “extensive” coach charter operation.
Dysons will take over operations at Wangaratta from September.
Dysons North East regional manager Brett Drinnan said the move was positive.
“If it wasn’t going to be positive, we wouldn’t have bought it,” he said.
“It complements some services we already have in place in the region and gives us more avenues to work through.
“The only thing that will change is the colour of the uniforms — it will be status quo.
“We don’t anticipate changing anything.”
A statement from both companies said all 40 Coachlines staff would move to Dysons.
Mr Drinnan said the Wangaratta services could be expanded.
“That’s a possibility — in time,” he said.
“But we first need to absorb everything — how they do it and why they do it.
“We might be able to find some efficiencies but we don’t know yet.
“If there’s scope for expansion, we’ll pursue it.”
The Dyson Group expanded into Wodonga when it bought family business Mylon Motorways in 2008.
Dysons has offices in Kyneton, Bairnsdale and Wodonga, and a head office in Melbourne.
The business has 58 Wodonga staff and about 1100 company-wide.
The amount paid for Wangaratta Coachlines has not been disclosed.
The Joyce family will operate eight school services at Wangaratta, from a separate depot.