‘199’ was the 3rd- last SG 280H and was originally numbered 1978. Delivered to Morphettville under STA operation, it operated there until 1996, two years after the STA was succeeded by TransAdelaide.

In 1996, privatisation of the bus network began, with two new companies winning contracts to operate services. TransAdelaide kept some of its areas; the Hills were awarded to a new contractor, Hills Transit. The other new contractor, SERCo, was awarded the Outer North East (including O-Bahn) and the Outer North contract areas. Many buses were transferred to SERCo, one of them being 1978, which they renumbered to 199.

Transferred to Elizabeth Depot, 199 operated routes in the Northern Suburbs until Serco ceased operations in 2005. It was then transferred to SouthLink (the new operator of the Outer North) and renumbered to 2370.

In 2012, 2370 was retired from service and moved to the “rail replacement fleet”. Made up of SG 280Hs and Mercedes-Benz O 305/O 305Gs, this fleet existed for the purpose of replacing trains during the Noarlunga Line Electrification Project during 2013-14. After entering the rail fleet, it was given its last number, R370/370.

In December 2016, R370 was bought for preservation by Matt T directly from the SA Government. In mid-2018, Daniel C bought it off him, storing it in Lonsdale, not far from its former rail replacement home. In 2019, it was bought jointly (and equally) by three enthusiasts.

Unfortunately in 2019, during a routine transmission service, a major fault with the ZF 4HP500 (especially “cut down” to fit in an SG 280H) was found. Restoration of 199 was put on hold; thankfully, through contacts who now make up BPASA, a new transmission was found. Before this, 199 underwent some minor fixes – new bumpers and guttering. It was also renumbered to represent its later days at Serco, when it was in Admet livery but still numbered 199.

The end goal for 199 is to be in Serco Corporate, aka “blue bum” livery.