Ansett Pioneer's origin can be traced back to 1905 when AA Withers Bus Company commenced operating day tours in
Melbourne. In 1923 it was renamed Pioneer and in 1927 undertook a transcontinental trip from Melbourne to
Darwin. In 1944 Pioneer was sold to
Reg Ansett. In 1955 Pioneer began operating daily services between
Melbourne and
Sydney and in 1957 began operating a weekly service from
Adelaide to
Perth. In 1958 Pioneer Express was renamed Ansett Roadlines of Australia. In July 1986
Ansett Transport Industries sold Ansett Pioneer to Melbourne and Northern Territory bus proprietors John Sinclair and Ron King. In January 1988 Ansett Pioneer was split in three: •
Cairns to
Melbourne services were taken over by the Penfold family, owners of
Greyhound's northern operations •
Perth -
Adelaide - Melbourne, Adelaide -
Sydney & Adelaide - Sydney were taken over by the Crawford family, owners of
Premier Stateliner and Greyhound's southern operations • Sydney -
Canberra -
Snowy Mountains services were retained by Sinclair and Kings trading as Pioneer Trailways In July 1988 the operation was rebranded Pioneer. In February 1989 Pioneer Trailways was placed in liquidation. In November 1989 the Penfolds sold out to the Crawfords bringing all Greyhound and Pioneer services under common ownership. ==Fleet==