Taking delivery of the final bus to complete the new fleet of 50 buses to service BHP’s Pilbara contract was a big moment for Go West Tours’ Managing Director Stan Haoust.

The 33^rd Volvo Irizar arrived at the Bunbury depot in June to be dispatched to Go West’s depot in Newman, which along with 17 BCI buses, makes up the fleet.

Stan bought his first bus in the early 1980s when he ran a garage on Spencer Street in Bunbury. Since then, he has overseen the steady growth of Go West over the past 35 years, with son David joining Go West and becoming Director in 2002.

Stan’s first foray into the bus industry was in 1969 when he helped his cousin who ran Crown Coaches in Melbourne with one of their first bus services, using a 1948 OB Bedford, which ran between Camberwell Junction and Richmond Bridge in Melbourne.

From there, Stan returned to working in the mining industry supervising mining projects throughout WA. He eventually re-visited the bus industry, buying the garage and building up a fleet of vehicles for hire and tours over more than three decades, culminating in the BHP contract, the biggest won by Go West in its history.

Buses and drivers are being supplied to BHP mine sites Yandi, Area C, Jimblebar, Eastern Ridge and Whaleback, increasing Go West’s fleet from 300 to 350 vehicles and employing an additional 50 people in Newman, Tom Price and Karratha.

“Go West has always had a dedicated, hard working team from bus drivers who have worked tirelessly in remote conditions, with safety as our number one priority, to our admin staff and managers who keep the offices running smoothly,” Stan said.

“I would like to thank my son, David and the frontline managers who prepared the tender and were instrumental in securing the contract.”

Photo:  Go West Tours Managing Director Stan Haoust and Maintenance Manager Darren Babich celebrate the last bus being dispatched for the BHP contract.

Go West has struck a joint venture with Onslow Bus and Taxi Service to provide bus services for Chevron over the next five years.

Twelve new BCI buses, designed for the oil and gas industry and featuring the In Vehicle Monitoring System, were ordered by Go West for the contract which started in February.

Local people have been employed as drivers and Go West mechanics will service the buses from Onslow.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Neil Rafferty and his team in Onslow to transport the Chevron workforce,” said Go West Director David Haoust.

“It’s great to be a local contractor who has been able to secure the Chevron contract with valuable support from Go West and we look forward to providing jobs for the locals,” said Onslow Bus and Taxi owner Neil Rafferty.

Photo:  Wheatstone Supply Chain Superintendent Tom Jeffreys and Onslow Bus and Taxi owners Emily See and Neil Rafferty.

Kathrynne Gordon has Joined Go West’s Tom Price team as the driver for the Wakathuni School Bus service, a local Indigenous school.

Go West was awarded the tender late last year, which is the company’s first school bus contract in the Pilbara.

North West Manager Brad Bunce said a new 27 seater 2019 Yutong D7 midi coach will be used to transport the school students about 60km every morning and afternoon.

“Kathrynne comes with great knowledge of the area and is a trusted local and we welcome her to the Go West team,” Brad said.

“Our Maintenance team in Tom Price will be supporting Kathrynne and the new bus service.”

Go West and Sodexo pitched in to assist the Wangaba Roebourne Art Group with by rebuilding the motor in their vehicle recently.

“We were very happy to help the local Indigenous community with repairing their vehicle and always try to help local groups who are in need where we can,” said Go West Director David Haoust.

Meet Ryan Babich, Go West’s new apprentice heavy duty mechanic.

Ryan started at the Bunbury depot in January after completing year 10 at Bunbury Catholic College, which included work experience over three terms at Go West and one term at Piacentini & Son.

“I’ve always enjoyed working on engines with my dad since I was young,” Ryan said.

“Already I’ve done an engine and a gearbox re-build and I’ll be working on buses, trucks and cars. It’s a really close team who all get along and I’m learning a lot.”

Ryan will also complete TAFE qualifications over the four year apprenticeship.