Engine Number 9

Pro

Capacity: 20 guestsPricing: From $519Category: Party Bus HireLocation: Sydney-wide

Highlights

A restored open-top fire engine that seats 20, with a fire pole, two ice bars and a 240 volt nightclub sound system
Hourly hire from a one hour minimum, plus two, three and four hour bookings and set hens, formal and children's packages
Every hire goes out with a uniformed fireman chauffeur and a host, with dance stops at Sydney landmarks

About Engine Number 9

Engine Number 9 is a Sydney operator that has converted authentic fire engines into open-top party vehicles, trading as the NSW Party Brigade and contactable from Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush. The main truck seats 20 around curved white leather benches with silver-topped bars, no seatbelts and a roofless cabin, so the group rides in the open while the truck moves. A licensed 22 seat bus also runs, and the company says other vehicles can travel in convoy when a group is larger than 20. Hires are booked by the hour or as set packages. Hourly hire starts at a one hour minimum and extends to two, three and four hour bookings, alongside fixed hens, formal and children's packages. Adult runs take in dance stops at places such as the Harbour Bridge, The Star, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Surry Hills and Bondi, and every truck goes out with a uniformed fireman chauffeur and a professional host from management. Formal packages add a red carpet walkway and a photographer for the booking; hens packages add a private fireman host, on-board games and a fire hat veil for the hen. The practical details matter here. Pick-up and drop-off are from single locations only, and the hirer has to provide roughly seven metres of clear legal parking for the truck, which will not enter private driveways. Quick food stops and toilet stops can be requested, though every stop comes out of the hire time. BYO drinks are fine if you say so at booking, so ice is loaded; food beyond snacks is discouraged and no one under 18 drinks. Children's parties cover ages 0 to 12, cap out at 18 children plus two supervising adults, and are alcohol and smoke free. Fast-fit roof covers go on if it rains.

Inclusions & amenities

Vehicle type

Party Bus

Budget

$$$ (Higher)

Features

Luxury VehicleParty LightingSound SystemPole

Pricing

The children's fire truck packages are published in full. The Blue package is $519 for a party of up to 45 minutes with no ride, Yellow is $559 for up to an hour including one 15 minute ride, Orange is $679 for up to an hour and 15 minutes with 30 minutes of rides, and Red is $819 for up to an hour and a half with 60 minutes of rides. Adult hourly hire, hens packages and formal packages are quoted on enquiry rather than listed. Deposits are $250 for a children's booking, $300 to hold an hour of adult hire and $500 for anything over an hour and a half, with the balance due two weeks before the date. Extra time on adult bookings is charged at $150 for 15 minutes, $350 for 30 minutes, $547.75 for 45 minutes and $797 for an hour. An outer suburbs surcharge starts at $80, tolls are $25 per usage, and out-of-area travel beyond that is $150 per hour on adult bookings and $250 per hour on children's bookings. Formal groups can add an after-party for $20 per person.

Fleet & Booking Details

The fleet is built around an open-top fire engine seating 20, fitted with emergency lights and siren, a 240 volt nightclub sound system and PA, disco and laser lighting, bubble machines, a touch screen music video system with more than 5,000 clips, two ice bars, under-carriage lighting and a fire pole for dancing. Two metre LED text signage naming the celebrant is available as an extra. A licensed 22 seat bus also operates, and additional vehicles can travel in convoy for groups over 20. Hourly hire has a one hour minimum, with two, three and four hour bookings; hens and formal packages run up to an hour and a half. Every booking includes a uniformed fireman chauffeur and a professional host from management, with fireman hosts, photographers, live DJs, staged surprises and adult entertainment available on top. Pick-up and drop-off are from a single location each, and the hirer supplies roughly seven metres of clear legal parking for the truck and eleven metres for the bus; neither vehicle enters private driveways. Adult packages require passengers to be 12 or over, hourly hire is listed as 18 and over, bag searches are carried out on boarding, and dancing happens at pre-arranged stops rather than while the vehicle is moving. Engine Number 9 NSW Pty Ltd is an accredited public passenger vehicle operator with Transport for NSW accredited drivers, public liability cover and on-board safety cameras, and fast-fit roof covers are used in wet weather.

Frequently asked questions

How many people fit on the fire truck?

The party fire truck seats 20. Children's parties are capped at 20 people, made up of 18 children and two supervising adults, and passenger numbers drop when on-board entertainers are booked. For larger groups the company also runs a licensed 22 seat bus and can send additional vehicles in convoy with the truck.

What is the minimum hire, and how long do packages run?

Hourly hire has a one hour minimum, with two, three and four hour bookings available. The hens and formal packages run up to an hour and a half. Children's packages range from 45 minutes up to an hour and a half depending on how much riding time is included.

How much does it cost?

The published figures are the children's packages: $519 for up to 45 minutes with no ride, $559 for up to an hour with a 15 minute ride, $679 for up to an hour and 15 minutes, and $819 for up to an hour and a half with 60 minutes of rides. Adult hourly hire, hens and formal packages are quoted on enquiry.

Can we bring our own drinks on board?

Yes. Tell them when you book so ice is loaded for you. Drinks have to stay on the vehicle, food beyond small snacks is discouraged, and no passenger under 18 may drink. Children's bookings are strictly alcohol and smoke free, and anyone turning up drunk is refused boarding without a refund.

Where do they pick up from, and how far ahead should we book?

They pick up and drop off across Sydney, from the city, the suburbs or out of town, but from a single location at each end. An outer suburbs surcharge starts at $80, tolls are $25 per usage, and travel beyond the service area is charged hourly. Popular weekend dates go early, with hens and wedding bookings placed a year or more ahead; a deposit holds the date and the balance is due two weeks before.

Areas we service

Eastern SuburbsInner WestNorth ShoreNorthern BeachesHills DistrictWestern SydneySouth West SydneySouthern SydneySutherland ShireMacarthurHawkesburySydney CBD & Surrounds