Crown Coaches based in Nunawading initially started as Route 10 Bus Service acquired by Vic Haoust which was later renamed Hawthorn Bus Service. The company expanded in the 1980s by acquiring Rennie's Bus Lines from Box Hill and Willis Bus Service from Vermont South, and finally Alf Pollard from Kew. A decision was made to divest itself of route bus operations and focus on school services and charters and rebrand as Crown Coaches.