29/03/2020
The Yellow Bus 🚌
1996 was the year Henley School finally had its own school bus. After many years of trying to gain a ministry funded bus route, the school board decided to run their own bus. The neighboring school, Momona had a ministry funded bus since the airport opened in 1963 which proved valuable in gaining pupils for their school.
Unofficially Henley did have type of bus run when for certain days of the week, Momona Store would deliver fresh bread in the Henley area and pupils on the route could get a ride to school but not home. Bill Gray and John Hancock, store owners were cheerful drivers allowing the children sit among the bread and purchase pies for lunch and lollies from a large tin, on route.
In June 1996, a fully equipped school bus was purchased from Hanson Truck Sales for $5000. It was a 1985 Ford Econovan painted bright yellow previously owned by Glenavy School, North Otago hence the name 'the yellow bus'. The Home And School Committee gave $3000 and the Henley Community Calf Pool donated $2000 to pay for the bus.
The school had to obtain Transport Service licences to allow it to operate and drivers with the necessary bus licences were sought. The voluntary drivers Trevor Magon, Denise Bryant, Fergus Horne and Ian Bryant all passed their licences and provided many hours driving children to and from school. Two routes were operated, one north up Centre Road and back Kirks Drain Road while the second run went over to Henley Township and north to Otokia and back via Bull Creek Road.
Two years later Henley did gain a Ministry funded bus when Berwick amalgamated with Henley, and Mosgiel Coach Services' white bus went to Berwick and Waipori and parts of Henley. The driver of this bus was parent, Dave Scrimshaw.
The yellow bus still lives on, now community owned and operated for youth activities in the area.
* Photos and text from ‘The Final Chapter’
