Australasian Bus & Coach – May 2019

(^36) ABC May 2019 busnews.com.au
OPERATOR MARSHALL’S BUS & COACH
Above:
KenandHelen
Marshallbegan
thecompanyin
1976 withschool
busrunsinthe
LakeCargelligo
area
ofNSW.
Oposite:
MelissaMarshall
isrunningthe
Franksbook
Educational
ToursServices;
Thecompany
added 12 new
SB50busesbuilt
byCustomBus
Australiatoits
schoolfleettwo
yearsago.
Technology changes and
new vehicles have helped
Marshall’s improve the
way it operates.
the Marshalls continue to provide
an excellent service that is set for
the future.
THE FLEET
Technology changes and new
vehicles have helped Marshall’s
improve the way it operates.
A computerised fleet has seen
the company adjust to diagnostic
scan tools, with mechanics
having to complete courses and
update their skills to learn how
to ‘talk to the buses’.
Starting out with four school
buses runs in Tuross Head, the
company now has 22.
The company added 12 new
SB50 buses built by Custom Bus
Australia to its school fleet two
years ago.
The majority of buses are
Mercedes-Benz and were
selected due to a quality and
being reliable product.
Designed for the demanding
Australian conditions, the SB50
use cutting-edge technology
and the latest automotive
materials to produce a lighter,
stronger, better quality and
value school bus for local
operators.
The business model is made
up of four areas: school runs,
which operate between Bodalla
and Broulee; charter; tours; and
Franksbook Educational Tours.
NEXT PHASE
Since coming on board, Melissa
has been busy finding ways to
utilise the fleet by increasing
charter and tour work.
“My thoughts are that we’re
not just focusing on the school
buses, we are moving to help
provide more of a service to
the community with our tours
and coaches and charter work,”
Melissa said.
“The main driver has been the
Franksbook Educational Tours,
gaining additional schools as
clients has led to a proportional
increase in coach work, and the
opportunity to work for other
coach companies, by helping
them write itineraries.
“Everything in the industry at
the moment is becoming more