Kinetic Tasmania, formerly Redline Coaches, is one of Tasmania's largest coach operators. It is a subsidiary of Kinetic.
History
Redline Coaches and the Larissey family business dates back to 1929 when Percy and Stella Larissey commenced trading in Cressy. They were later joined by Percy's son Frank to become P Larissey & Son. Redline Coaches was formed in July 1963, when Frank Larissey purchased Sutton's Motor Service, Launceston with four buses and renamed it Redline Coaches.Tasmanian Redline Coaches - Part 1 Australian Bus Panorama issue 7/9 June 1992 pages 5-7
In January 1965, Redline Coaches began operating ten-day tours of Tasmania connecting with the Empress of Australia at Bell Bay under contract to the Tasmanian Government Travel Bureau. Through a number of takeovers, Redline developed a network of services in north-east Tasmania. In 1975 the business of Young's Coaches was purchased and a contract picked up from Gippsland Educational Tours saw it conduct tours throughout mainland Australia. By this stage, the fleet consisted of 19 vehicles. Further expansion came with it being appointed as a sub-contractor for AAT Kings, Ansett Pioneer and Australian Pacific Tours.
In May 1980, Redline purchased Tasmanian Coach Lines, who operated stage services throughout the state, with 17 vehicles.Redlne acquires TCL business Truck & Bus Transportation August 1980 page 131Redline takeover of Tasmanian Coach Lines Fleetline issue 62 September 1980 pages 27-29 The combined operation was renamed Tasmanian Redline Coaches. In the next few years many other long-distance operators would be taken over with the fleet growing to 110 by 1992.
Following the withdrawal of services by Ansett and TAA in 1982, Tasmanian Redline commenced airport services in Hobart and Launceston.Tas Redline wins airport licences Truck & Bus Transportation November 1982 page 140Tasmanian Redline Coaches - Part 2 Australian Bus Panorama issue 8/1 August 1992 pages 4-6 In 1982 Cape Country Coaches and Circular Head Motors were taken over.Tasmania Fleetline issue 91 February 1983 page 20 In October 1983 Tasmanian Redline Coaches diversified into commuter operations purchasing Sorell Coaches.Hobart Electric Traction March 1984 page 48
In September 1990, the long-distance market was deregulated and Hobart Coaches began competing on some of Tasmanian Redline's more profitable routes. In February 1998 Tasmanian Redline was rebranded Redline Coaches.Tasmanian Redlne's new name Australasian Bus & Coach July 1998 page 6
Tasmanian Redline also operated a freight business using a combination of luggage space on its coach services and dedicated vans. In September 1999 Redline took over Toll Ipec's Tasmanian freight operations.Toll / Redline merge Tasmanian parcels Australasian Transport News 30 September 1999Redline gets a freight deal from Toll Ipec Truck & Bus Transportation December 1999 page `100
In 2009 Redline acquired the business of Smith's City to Surf Coaches servicing the Dodges Ferry region. In June 2018, the Hobart airport service was sold to SkyBus.Hobart gets dedicated airport service; Melbourne tickets valid Australasian Bus & Coach 26 June 2018World News Buses Worldwide issue 213 April 2019 page 39
Redline was acquired by Kinetic in April 2021.Kinetic acquires iconic bus operator: Tasmanian Redline Australasian Bus & Coach 22 April 2021Tasmanian Redline Coaches is being acquired by SkyBus operator Kinetic The Examiner 22 April 2021Tasmania's own Redline sold to Kinetic Australian Bus Panorama issue 36/6 May 2021 pages 18-23 Kinetic expanded its Tasmanian operations with several acquisitions: Sainty's Bus Service in February 2022, Mersey Bus & Coach Services in March 2022, East Tamar Bus Lines in September 2022, O'Driscoll Coaches in March 2023 and Crawn Motors in June 2024.Kinetic Acquires Tassie's Sainty's Bus Service Australasian Bus & Coach 3 February 2022Energetic Kinetic Australian Bus issue 111 July 2022 page 7Kinetic Group continues rapid expansion Australian Bus issue 112 October 2022 page 9Transport giant acquires Derwent Valley bus company Pulse Tasmania 6 February 2023Kinetic acquisition as leader prepares for the end of the Crawn family legacy Australasian Bus & Coach 13 June 2024
In late 2022, the Redline brand was retired in favour of the Kinetic brand.Tasmania Australian Bus Panorama issue 38/4 January 2023 page 42 In August 2026 Tassielink Transit was purchased with 39 vehicles.Kinetic to buy Tassielink Transit in latest Tasmanian bus takeover Pulse Tasmania 31 August 2026
Fleet As of August 2025, the fleet consisted of 251 buses and coaches.Kinetic Tasmania Australian Bus Fleet Lists
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