Festive cheer spread through Sydney streets with annual Christmas bus competition
There has been some extra festive cheer on the streets of Sydney over the past few weeks with State Transit drivers taking part in the annual Christmas Bus Competition.
Every year, State Transit drivers deck their buses with tinsel and decorations, brightening the days of customers over the holiday period.
Some staff go the extra mile for their customers, adorning Santa suits and hats, adding festive cheer to many journeys around Sydney.
On the 14 December, three of the city’s favourite buses gathered outside Central Station to compete to be the ‘Best Decorated’ bus of 2016. This year a very special guest judge picked out the overall winner.
Ten-year-old Alexander, a patient at Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, judged buses from Mona Vale, Kingsgrove and Waverley depots to choose the bus with the most Christmas magic.
With help from CBD Coordinator General, Marg Prendergast, Alexander decided the Mona Vale depot bus would take out the crown this year.
“It’s obvious that many hours have been put in by dedicated staff to get these buses looking so spectacular,” Ms Prendergast said.
“This is the 11th year of the State Transit competition and we know, based on the positive feedback we receive each year, just how much our customers love the Christmas buses.
“It’s fantastic to see staff going the extra mile and spreading the cheer this festive season as they transport the people of Sydney during this busy period.”
The team from Mona Vale depot was presented with $500 to be donated to their charity of choice.
In addition, State Transit matched this donation and contributed $500 to Sydney Children’s Hospital.
You can check out our Christmas buses riding on regular route services in the following areas until the New Year:
- the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore
- Inner Western and South Western suburbs
- the Eastern and South Eastern Suburbs.
Selected travel apps are tracking the routes of Christmas buses, so you can see when one will be arriving at your nearest stop.