Stewarts and Sons Coaches - Stewart & Sons History

1937 – 1948

The Stewart family have been in the bus business since 1937. While their first bus service may have been in Cairns, it set the scene for what was to come; they are the second-longest running bus company in Qld. Commencing bus runs in Bundaberg in 1948 with a minimal fleet, owned and operated by Matthew and Evelyn Stewart, it was during that time that the Stewart family were advised of a six bus business for sale. Adding more buses to their fleet allowed them to run workers from town to the surrounding areas to fulfil their duties as cane cutters, mill workers, field workers and shift workers. The sixth bus served the locals for shopping, dances, and night time entertainment.

1949

In 1949, Stewart and Sons became a generational family legacy, officially registering “Stewarts and Sons Coaches”, signalling an equal family partnership between Matthew and Evelyn Stewart and their sons Les and Ray.

1950’s & 60’s

In 1951 after many travels to and from the region, the Stewart family realised that their fleet of wooden buses needed an upgrade to make them more suitable for long-term daily use. So they took on the task of rebuilding their fleet from wood to steel, with son Ray paving the way. It was Ray’s workmanship that drew the attention of other bus companies, seeking his services to fit out their buses, too. And to commemorate his family’s legacy, Ray added badges with R.E.L.M., with each initial representing a member of the Stewart family. Then in the 1960s, due to other means of transport becoming available, such as cars, the Qld Government invited the Stewart family to run school bus services.

1970’s, 80’s & 90’s

Then the sad passing of Evelyn in the 70s and Matthew Stewart in the 80s saw Stewarts and Sons divided equally between their sons Ray and Les. However, by the late 90s, the two brothers went their separate ways, with Ray continuing to run a successful steel fabrication and hire business, operating as “Stewart and Sons Steel”. With Les holding onto the family legacy that is Stewart and Sons Coaches, in 2002, Les brought a third generation into the business. Les’s son Graham and his wife Julie. Shortly after, Graham and Julie then welcomed the fourth generation Stewart, their son Ryan, to the team.

Present Day

From past to present and beyond, Stewart and Sons Coaches are now well and truly into the modern-day era, adding three new coaches to their fleet, demonstrating the long term tenacity and passion they have successfully managed as the Stewart family. Their commitment to servicing bus and coach travel for nearly 75 years, is why they been honoured in a 100 year book about bus and coach history.

To read the Stewart family’s full history and see how their fleet transformed over the years, download this informative PDF:

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