Go West Tours has been awarded a major contract with BHP to supply buses for its Pilbara operations for up to the next seven years.

The contract is the biggest won by the integrated transport company in its 35 year history.

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

Go West signed a contract with global bus manufacturers Irizar, BCI and Yutong on November 22 to supply 50 coaches with custom safety features and modifications to suit remote conditions and will take delivery of the first 30 vehicles in January.

General Manager David Haoust said investment in the latest technology Chartered Management System which includes bus tracking with client portals, tyre monitoring, braking and maintenance scheduling, a system which identifies and reports driver behaviour and the most modern buses in Australia had established Go West as a key operator in the industry.

“Go West has had a strategic focus over the past 10 years to continuously improve through innovation, investment in its people and at the same time be frugal in a challenging economy,” Mr Haoust said.

“We have also explored diversification opportunities so that we can adapt quickly in an ever-changing passenger transport industry environment.

“We are excited about the new contract with BHP which means Go West will invest further in regional communities throughout the state by hiring additional staff and procuring more local services to support our business.

“We look forward to soon being able to advertise for additional support staff and bus drivers to assist in the delivery of the BHP contract.”