Go West has added three new generation four wheel drive buses to the fleet.

The new Toyota Coasters with Landcruiser 200 Series 4×4 running gear have been designed for the challenging conditions of the Pilbara and will start a new chapter in all terrain vehicles used by Go West.

“In the past we have purchased trucks and mounted bus bodies onto the rear which have been successful in the Pilbara, but the Toyota Coaster allows for a `walk through’ style interior from the driver to the passengers,” said Director David Haoust.

“This was not achievable with the truck bodies because drivers were separated from the passengers.

“Drivers and passengers on recent trials have been very positive about the Toyota Coaster’s 4×4 comfort and ride and we look forward to continually providing a better and safer experience for our customers and Go West’s professional driving team.”

Photo: Greg Campbell with the new bus at the BHP Depot.

During his 10 years with Go West Tours, North West Operations Manager Brad Bunce has seen the company grow from two to four depots and be awarded the biggest contract in its history.

Brad, who oversees the Port Hedland, Newman, Karratha and Tom Price Depots, started as a bus driver with Go West, quickly rising through the ranks to become the Port Hedland coordinator after 12 months.

After another 18 months he became Depot Manager and then the Area Manager looking after Port Hedland and Newman.

In 2016 the depots in Karratha and Tom Price were opened and he now oversees 185 staff, including four depot managers and 15 supervisors as North West Operations Manager.

“A highlight for me is seeing all four depots operating which oversee our operations on 22 mine sites, including five sites for the BHP contract,” Brad said.

“It’s also great to see new faces coming on board, people who have been with us for years starting families and enjoying their working life at Go West.

“I certainly appreciate the job our site management team does, many who have been with us for years, and for the great work our dedicated employees do, and I look forward to working with everyone for many more years to come.”

Director Dave Haoust thanked Brad for his 10 years of service.

“Thanks to Brad for his professionalism and his family spirit he brings to work on a daily basis to always make Go West a better place,” David said.

New polos featuring art from a Newman Aboriginal artist will be issued to all Go West Tours employees this year to commemorate 20 years of operations in the Pilbara.

“As part of our company’s values in recognising the first Australians and the land we operate on in the Pilbara, we felt it only fitting to select artwork from an Indigenous Newman artist to be used in the design for the new polos,” said Director David Haoust.

“We thank the artist Cyril Whyoulter and Martumili Artists- East Pilbara Arts Centre for helping us with this project and we look forward to working with them on other projects in the future.”

As part of the procurement process Go West engaged Indigenous company Spinifex Protect to make the new polos.

Photos: Ricky Ugle, Joanne Reynolds, Joanna Hanson, Bonnie Evans and Darren Babich in the new polo shirts.

Go West has re-started the popular public tours of BHP’s Mount Whaleback iron ore operations near Newman.

Tours have been full most days, with WA travellers traversing the state and keen to see the giant pit, bucket wheel reclaimers and iron ore stock piles up close over the hour and a half tour.

The tours operate from Monday to Saturday in the winter months from the Newman Visitor’s Centre.

Photo: Richard Whisson leads the tours of Mount Whaleback.

Bunbury depot staff Bonnie Evans and Ryan Babich had a close up look at life in the Pilbara when they joined the Newman, Tom Price and Karratha crews to help out with a recent stock take.

Bonnie, the Bunbury Depot’s Operations Coordinator, met the operations coordinators in each depot that she deals with every day and was able to see first hand some of the challenges of operating in the Pilbara.

For Ryan Babich, a first year heavy duty mechanic apprentice, it was a great opportunity to see the different types of buses used in the Pilbara and gain a better understanding of the Go West operations in the resource sector.

They also travelled between Tom Price and Karratha on the Rio Tinto rail access road, seeing a laden iron ore train along the way.

Photo: Ryan Babich and Bonnie Evans check out a Rio Tinto train loaded with iron ore during a visit to the Pilbara.