The holiday spirit was in full swing this week as Busways proudly hosted the annual judging of Sydney’s Best Decorated Christmas Bus at our Penrith Depot.  

This delightful tradition, organised by Transport for NSW, saw 11 spectacular Christmas buses from across Greater Sydney contract regions all vying to be nominated best decorated. 

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly our chief judge, 11-year-old Mateo a patient at Westmead Children’s Hospital, affectionately referred to as one of "Santa’s Little Helpers." Mateo had the honour of selecting the winning bus, a task as challenging as it was exciting given the incredible creativity on display. He was ably supported in the decision making by The Hon Marjorie O’Neill, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Karen McKeown, Member for Penrith and Howard Collins, Coordinator General at Transport for NSW.  

Busways candy cane wrapped Penrith ‘Polar Express’ Christmas Bus got quite the attention and Busways beautifully decorated Ryde Christmas Bus came a very close second, before Mateo announced, after much deliberation, that the tinsel coated bus from the Randwick region claimed the top prize,.  

The vibrant competition not only showcased the festive spirit but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among all participating depots. 

The Busways Penrith team worked tirelessly to host this memorable event while ensuring smooth operations during the busy Christmas season. Their dedication and attention to detail earned high praise from attendees. Howard Collins expressed his admiration, saying, “This year, we had the highest number of bus entries and received the most positive customer feedback yet.” 

Jason Roberts, Head of Service Delivery for Greater Sydney at Busways, said, “It’s a great tradition, and our teams love decorating the buses and bringing smiles to commuters. We’re thrilled to have hosted this year’s competition. The warm welcome and outstanding management by our Penrith team did not go unnoticed. We’ve received incredible feedback from attendees, commending the effort and enthusiasm displayed.” 

There are over 35 Christmas buses running in the Sydney region transforming everyday commutes into festive experiences. Each year, it spreads joy and creates lasting memories for everyone involved, from bus drivers to commuters.  

Busways has over 35 Christmas buses across NSW decorated by our depot teams, all of which are raising funds for Westmead Children’s Hospital.  Busways is matching any donations. 

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all participating depots for their creativity, hard work, and commitment throughout the month. Special thanks also to those who supported the initiative, including generous donors who made this year’s event extra special