Jason Andrews chairperson introduced Brian, his son James and Bruce who showed us the business side of Caldwell’s Bus Lines.

Brian took us on a journey of the history of their business, how his father Gordon started   Cardwell's Bus Lines, with himself joining and now James his son.

Gordon is now more involved with the dairy farm and Brian when he gets the time enjoys working on it as well, but is kept pretty busy with the Business of the Bus Company.  Both Brian and Gordon’s big passion was racing dirt cars which they built themselves, their second car won the Australian title, as well as many other races Australia wide.

Brian gave us a rundown of the business starting at the office, explaining that computers have made a huge improvement to the paperwork side of the business, the photocopier has cut down printing costs of brochures and emails have reduced time and paper with communication. Advertising is mainly via newspapers and shopping centre promotions.

Cardwell’s specialise in picking up their patrons for tours or organizing a convenient location for pickup, which sets them apart from other companies. A large percentage of their business are senior citizens and they are well looked after by a hostess on the bus.

Brian calculates that people travel every five years depending on the finances. Cardwell’s also offer overseas trips. New Zealand being a very popular trip.  Australia’s most popular tour is the Top End – Darwin to Broome.   Concerts in Melbourne are also very popular with the locals.

 They have five Star Coaches which are built in Queensland with Volvo engines, and are serviced in Shepparton, each are named after a family member. The worst wildlife that they run into are eagles which cause considerable damage and then kangaroos. The buses are now fitted with barlights which are a strip of white led lights and Brian feels this helps.  

The company has three school buses, and has three bus runs, with the government having a scheme to update school buses regularly to keep them safer. The numbers of students are diminishing, mainly due to the loss of small farms which are being amalgamated into larger farms. They also own three hire and drive buses, very popular.

Some of Brian’s favorite business creeds are,         

                                The buck stops with you!

                                 Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!                                                                                   

                                 Give your customers 100%!

This is how he and his father have run the business so successfully and he is still very happy with the size of the business, bigger is not always better. It has taken 35 years to achieve their excellent reputation and others would like to buy them out but as Brian makes a point  the name stands for who they are and their good service.  He did say they use Face book, especially for tickets that may not be selling.