This is the story of two blokes, Peter Celi and Richard Lyons who played AFL footy together as juniors. Peter leaves town, returning years later - as it happens, to buy a home next door to Richard. And they both operate in the same business sphere, that being The Bus Business.
Omnibus Magazine
Two Mates, Two Companies and Mercedes-Benz.
Richard Lyons (L) and Peter Celi. Proud Mercedes-Benz owners
Two Mates, Two Companies and Mercedes-Benz.
Leeton, is situated 550 km west of Sydney. We point this out simply to illustrate that the town is a long way from many goods and services that people living in the Capital would take for granted.
If you are in the bus business the distance is magnified. The quality of the bus you choose and the service provided by its manufacturer are paramount when purchasing a vehicle.
Peter Celi, owner of Celi’s Bus Service in Leeton was keen on the Mercedes-Benz product – specifically the O 500RF Euro 5 - when it came time to upgrade.
“They are a tried and proven product,” said Peter, whose background as a diesel mechanic, workshop foreman and as a service engineer with Meritor, stands him in good stead to make such a statement.
“It’s predominately a coach chassis that Mercedes produces with fully independent front suspension and a 12 litre engine putting out 360 horsepower, in my case via a ZF EcoLife six-speed automatic transmission.”
“I knew Mercedes was a good brand but I was worried about the support out here in rural-land. But then I met Andrew McClelland, Field Service Manager NSW, of Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus who came down from Sydney.”
“We had a talk and I was totally impressed with their professionalism and with the support that they were going to give us. They brought the vehicle out here for me to go over and I have to say I’ve not looked back. The support that I’ve had from these guys is absolutely wonderful.”
The Mercedes-Benz RF has an SB 50 body built by Custom Coaches. At 12.5 metres with bullbar, the coach seats 57 schoolkids when not being employed for special charter.
Taking over the business from his father Tony, who was in the bus game for 50 years, Peter still looks to him for advice. “He has knowledge and experience you just can’t buy. At 80 dad still hops behind the wheel on occasion.”
Peter has owned the bus for five years. When it came time for his childhood friend, next door neighbour and bus operating competitor, Richard Lyons, Principle of Lyons Bus Service to upgrade, he didn’t hesitate in recommending the Mercedes-Benz O 500RF.
Richard Lyons is a third generation bus operator, his grandfather, Jim launched the bus line in 1976. “My Dad, Owen bought the business from Grandma after Jim passed away and I bought it from him in 2004.”
When asked what drew him to buses, Richard responds, “I loved driving trucks and being alone in them.”
In somewhat of an oxymoron, he quickly follows up with, “That said, I enjoy driving buses full of schoolkids. I find it quite rewarding. You learn a lot from the kids - probably a bit more than you should learn!”
Like Peter Celi, Richard runs a fleet of three with a back-up. When it came time to upgrade in January, 2021, the strong advice from over his neighbour’s fence was to look at the Mercedes-Benz product.
“My story is identical to Peter’s in that I was massively impressed with both the product and with Andrew McClelland’s commitment to me and my business.”
Richard’s O 500RF Mercedes-Benz sports an Adventurer body by Custom Denning, the first of that model with a Mercedes driveline. Both Richard’s and Peter’s O 500RF’s feature all the safety features available including Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Traction Control System (ASR), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Fire Detection.
Richard’s bus, being a younger model, and in line with Mercedes-Benz continually evolving safety philosophy, also has Advanced Emergency Braking (AEBS), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Adaptive Cruise Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) which, unlike regulatory demands, monitors the front tyres as well as the rears.
A final word from these blokes.
“Graham Parks, our retired Leeton Fire Captain drives the ‘Benz. I wish he’d let me behind the wheel occasionally! Maybe Peter will let me drive his.”
“The Mercedes-Benz O 500RF is the best bus I’ve ever owned, the quality is brilliant, the service is superb. Richard and I go way back and help each other out whenever needed. I guess the only thing we disagree on is who the better footy player was.”
