Bruce the Brissie Bus
The story of Bruce the Brissie Bus
The sun had just risen when Bruce the Bus opened his headlights and looked around his new
home at Eagle Farm Bus Depot. He was very excited as today was his first day working for
Brisbane City Council. Bruce introduced himself to Billy and Becca Bus and told them that he was
a new style ‘Optimus’ bus and had been built in the Volgren factory down the road.
Drawing of Bruce by Blessy Year 6/7, Mary Immaculate.
Bruce had just finished his story when he heard a noise and turned his headlights to see some
drivers walking across the depot. Bruce’s driver for the day was a friendly lady named Betty who
greeted him with a cheery “hello Bruce” before climbing on board.
Drawing of Bruce by Marie Year 7, Mary Immaculate.
“We’ve got an exciting day ahead of us Bruce,” said Betty. “First we get to enjoy a lovely drive
along the river on Kingsford Smith Drive, followed by a trip over the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to
the University of Queensland. After that we’re driving up to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout before we
stop for lunch. We then have to pick up a group of school kids from the Museum of Brisbane
before heading back into the city to help get all the busy workers home to their families.”
Drawing of Bruce by Tia Year 7, Coorparoo State School.
Betty did a quick check to make sure Bruce was ready for his first day on the road. She adjusted
his mirrors and destination signs to show their passengers where the bus was going. When his
engine burst into life, Bruce was so excited he sang to himself “Brrm, Brrm, Beep, Beep. Happy
as can be. I’m Bruce the Brissie Bus, you can rely on me. When I reach your bus stop, come on
board you’ll see. I’ll provide you with great service – it’s my priority.”
As they headed out the depot gates, Billy and Becca Bus wished Bruce good luck and looked
forward to hearing all about his day when he returned to the depot.
Drawing of Bruce by Sarah Year 5, Everton Park State School.
Following the morning traffic along Kingsford Smith Drive, it wasn’t long before Bruce spotted his
first customer. It was a mother with a baby and pram. Betty pulled up at the bus stop and folded
out the ramp so the mother could wheel the pram onto the bus without waking her sleeping baby.
“Good morning,” Betty said as the lady boarded and swiped her go card on the ticket machine.
Betty waited for the lady to park the pram and take a seat before driving off.
Drawing of Bruce by Pema Year 5, Geebung State School.
After dropping the mother and her baby off in the city and picking up some more passengers,
Bruce and Betty drove to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge which would take them to the University of
Queensland. Bruce blinked his headlights as he noticed Becca driving the other way and
continued over the bridge until he reached the university bus stop. Betty smiled and said “Have a
good day,” to her passengers as they stepped off the bus.
Drawing of Bruce by Hayley Year 3, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Before heading up to Mt Coot-tha, Betty and Bruce stopped in the city and picked up a group of
tourists who wanted to see the best view of Brisbane. Betty offered to take the tourists to Mt
Coot-tha Lookout where they could get some great photos of the city and buy a drink or snack at
the café. “Welcome to the best view of our great city,’ Betty said when they reached the lookout.
Unfortunately Bruce and Betty could only stop for a minute before heading to Toowong Depot so
Betty could have her lunch and Bruce could get a top up of fuel.
Drawing of Bruce by Carson Year 5/6, East Brisbane State School.
Betty returned to Bruce and said “Well Bruce, looks like we’ll have to drive past Suncorp Stadium
and across the Go Between Bridge to get back to the city as there’s been an accident on
Coronation Drive.” Bruce loved watching football games at Suncorp Stadium and so flashed his
indicators in delight. As they passed the stadium and the statues of Wally Lewis and Darren
Lockyer, Betty tooted Bruce’s horn and shouted “Well done boys!” Happy to be driving across the
Go Between Bridge and missing all of the cars on Coronation Drive, Bruce sang to himself
“Round and round, up and down, through the streets of your town. Every day I make my way,
through the streets of your town.”
Drawing of Bruce by Claire Year 5, Brisbane Christian College.
As Bruce pulled up at the bus stop outside City Hall he could hear the school kids laughing and
chatting about some of the interesting things that they had seen at the Museum of Brisbane.
Bruce and Betty dropped the kids back at school and then headed back to the city to collect a full
load of city workers making their way home after a busy day at work. The trip took Bruce through
Hawthorne and Bulimba where he got to see some of the lovely old wooden houses that he had
heard were especially designed for the hot Queensland weather.
Drawing of Bruce by Jaida, Mia and My Year 6, St Oliver Plunkett.
Bruce could not believe how many times he heard his ‘Next Stop’ bell ring. Each time Betty pulled
him gently up to the bus stop and said a friendly “Good afternoon” to the passengers as they
stepped off the bus. After almost an hour, Betty pulled Bruce up to the last stop. As the final
passenger left the bus and Betty checked for any items left behind, she said "Well that's it for the
day Bruce. It's time to head back to the depot."
Drawing of Bruce by Leidi Year 7, Macgregor Primary.
As they pulled into the depot and found a place to park, Bruce was pleased to see his friends Billy
and Becca parked next to him. As she grabbed her bag and turned to leave, Betty said “Thank
you for a lovely day Bruce. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the sights of our city and helping
our passengers get to where they needed to go.” Bruce smiled to himself knowing that he had
done a good job and could not wait to do it all again tomorrow.
Drawing of Bruce by Krupesh Year 7, Coorparoo State School.
Bruce told Billy and Becca about the many places he had visited and the different people he had
helped during the day. He had just finished his story when Ben the Bus Assistant arrived to take
Bruce through the bus wash. Bruce giggled as the water sprayed all over him and the soapy
bubbles tickled his cheeks. After Ben returned Bruce to his parking spot, Bruce closed his
headlights and dreamed about some of the other adventures he might have in the years ahead.
Drawing of Bruce by Emily Year 3.
Acknowledgements
Brisbane City Council would like to thank Volgren and Volvo for helping to produce this book and
the following Active School Travel program schools and students who contributed their wonderful
drawings: Mary Immaculate, Geebung State School, Brisbane Christian College, Coorparoo State
School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, St Oliver Plunkett, Everton Park State School, East
Brisbane State School, Macgregor Primary.
‘Streets Of Your Town’ words and music by Robert Forster and Grant McLennan © Copyright
Native Tongue Music Publishing Ltd on behalf of Union Square Music Songs Limited. All print
rights for Australia and New Zealand administered by Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd
(www.halleonard.com.au). Used by permission. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is
illegal.
Copyright of Brisbane City Council 2015, publication number CA14-552233-02-587