Reid's Bus Service

David Reid began his bus service in 1928 when he bought out a small route from Brunswick to Moonee Ponds. He had a small nineteen seater bus and faced stiff competitor from many other small bus companies sharing the same or similar routes.

A lucky win at the horses gave Reid enough money to acquire new routes in 1932, including the Northcote – Moonee Ponds route and the Epping – Reservoir route. From this he expanded in later years to cover Fairfield, Alphington, Heidelberg and Eltham.

During the Second World War Reid expanded his service yet again to cover the lucrative Melbourne – Puckapunyal Army Camp. He now operated over 30 buses across Melbourne.

By 1950 David Reid had retired from the business, leaving it in the hands of his wife Alice. She in turn was replaced by their daughter Shirley, and son Peter. The company continued to grow, buying out rivals Ricardo’s and Duncan Green Bus Lines.

By the 1990s the company operated over forty buses and coaches operating along the Moonee Ponds – Alphington route. 

Maddock, John (1992). The people movers: a history of Victoria’s private bus
industry 1910 – 1992. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press.