Commodore Coaches (Mike Bedford) - St Marys

This is a historic listing of vehicles owned and operated by Commodore Coaches (Mike Bedford) - St Marys.

The Commodore Coaches trading name dates back to the mid-1970's, when John Burke's North Epping Bus Service developed a charter operation under that name to supplement routes 87 and 163. Conducting long distance tours and day and local charters, Commodore Coaches was sold along with North Epping Bus Service to the Todd family’s Cumberland Coaches 4 August 1977.

Radio personality Mike Bedford renewed the Commodore Coaches trading name in 1985. Mike promoted the business through his radio station. Booking agencies for VIP Express Coaches were opened at St Marys and Blacktown, which were also used to market 'Commodore Educational Tours’ school camp packages.

On 1 July 1988, Route 46 Campsie - North Belmore and Route 47 Lakemba - Greenacre were secured from JD (Jim) Hill t/a Highway Tours. Vehicles were hired from Highway Tours and Auburn Passenger Transport until vehicles were acquired for the service. The depot was located at Hope St, Enfield.

In August 1989, the routes were sold with 7 buses to Geoff Newham t/a Newham's Bus Service, Padstow. Bedford relocated to Caines Cres, St Marys with the Denning TV 932, Scania TV 391 and Toyota Coaster TV 992. The booking agencies closed following the collapse of VIP Express Coaches and coaches moved into a depot at Water St, Werrington.

Mike was inducted into the Country Music Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in January 2003. In 2005, Bedford stepped back from operating the coach company and radio station due to his deteriorating health. Long time friend and owner of Reynolds Touring Australia Frank Reynolds stepped in as manager of Commodore Coaches in a caretakers role, while the radio station was sold. Following Mike’s passing on 29 October 2007, ownership of Commodore Coaches was transferred from Transpax Pty Ltd (Bedford’s operating company) to Frank Reynolds, who continued to manage Commodore Coaches whilst semi-retired at Lake Tabourie on the New South Wales South Coast. This brought former TV 391 Scania back under the Commodore banner, having been sold several years earlier to Frank Reynolds.

Wishing to retire, Reynolds advertised Commodore Coaches for sale. Jeff and Sharon Chalker purchased the business through Chalker Pty Ltd with TV 1258 and TV 2732 Scania coaches on 3 November 2009. Reynolds retained TV 391 Scania for Frank Reynolds Touring at Lake Tabourie, which ceased by July 2011. The Chalkers continue to operate from the Water St, Werrington depot under the adjusted trading name Compass Tours.