ABC #406

OPERATOR
ST MARYS BUS NSW
Armed with grit,
gumption and
tremendous support
from a friend in the
industry, Ibrahim
purchased two 21-seater coaches and
launched a service in Sydney in the
middle of a global pandemic.
As some small bus and coach
businesses began to leave the industry
in early 2020, there was suddenly an
increase in the number of vehicles
for sale in a market where demand
had plummeted. This gave Ibrahim
an opportunity like none other. He
was finally in a position to buy a few
small coaches to get his business on
the road, he explains.
Ibrahim has been involved in the
industry for a long time as a licenced
heavy-vehicle driving instructor, trainer
and assessor. Since migrating to
Australia from Egypt in 2010, Ibrahim
has been behind the wheels of buses
and trucks, and this vocation for
We want the market to be fair for everyone.
That way it will bolster the industry and help
provide safe services to passengers.
driving fuelled a true passion to service
the bus industry.
He had looked into starting his
business in 2016, but found the
coaches, even used ones, much too
expensive. However, last year he was
finally able to invest in two Mitsubishi
Rosas and two Toyota Hiace coaches.
“I have always loved this industry,
since the day I first drove a bus,”
Ibrahim explained.
“Last year finally gave me an
opportunity to buy the vehicles
because, suddenly, the market wasn’t
so expensive to break into. I got the
business accreditation and applied
as a contractor with the [NSW]
Department of Education.
“Currently, we’re running a disability
transport service for National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS​) providers.
We also offer private bus hire and
coach charter across Sydney.”
A small, core team of three manages
the business at present. His wife,
Mariam Gindi, does the paperwork,
while Ibrahim looks after the buses,
general operations and everything in
between.
They have around 10 casual drivers
and Ibrahim himself gets behind
the wheel many times a week. St
Marys-based heavy vehicle mechanic
Brian Aeberhard is Ibrahim’s go-to guy
for almost all repair work.
“One person I wish to thank is my
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ABC June 2021 busnews.com.au