On Friday 12 April 2019, the Queensland Omnibus & Coach Society unveiled its latest restoration project: ex-Brisbane City Council 1969 Leyland Panther Bus 722. The vehicle was officially launched back into service by new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in a ceremony at City Hall.
Around 70 people attended the event, including three Councillors (one of whom was Public and Active Transport Chairman, Cr Ryan Murphy) and Transport for Brisbane Divisional Manager, Geoff Beck. After the ceremony concluded, QOCS President Nick Wilson drove a full load of passengers, including the Lord Mayor, around City Hall.
The project had been two-years in the making and came at a cost of $100,000 – five times the amount ever expended on a vehicle restoration by the club. This included a full interior and exterior refurbishment. The club is very grateful to all those who made the project possible – particularly our financial supporters who generously donated to restore the vehicle back to its former glory. These included the family of Athol Hedges who donated $10,000 to the project.
Additionally, the club recognises the significant contribution made by Barrie Watt of Watt’s Bus & Coach Works, and Scott Isaacs of Coachworks Pty Ltd. But for their support and willingness to perform the work at cost, there is no doubt that Bus 722 would have remained in derelict condition. Now, the vehicle has returned to its former glory and is very much the pride of our fleet once again.
Bus 722 is very significant to Brisbane’s transport heritage as it was the very last of 204 Panthers completed by Athol Hedges between March 1968 and March 1969. Indeed, it entered service on 11 April 1969 as the last tram services operated in Brisbane. As such, this vehicle signifies the end of one transportation era, and the evolution of another.
50 years since the last Brisbane trams
On Saturday 13 April 2019, Bus 722 was taken to the Brisbane Tramway Museum at Ferny Grove, west of Brisbane, where it featured heavily as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. At 3pm, Dropcentre Tram 341 re-enacted the ‘final voyage’ and was parked up in the top shed, before Bus 722 drove out of the shed to signify the handover of services.
