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The man in pink: how Steve Streeting steered MidCoast Transfers through the storm

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Steve Streeting didn't set out to build a transport empire; he just wanted a way to get his family to a cruise ship.

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Frustrated by the logistical "pain" of getting his family of four to the terminal from Forster, Steve made a decision in 2018 that would change the local transport landscape.

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After spotting an eight-seater van for sale at a Tuncurry car dealership, he decided that if the vehicle was still there in two months, he would start a weekend shuttle service to the Sydney cruise terminal.

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Eight years later, Mid Coast Cruise Transfers has grown from a weekend hobby into a fleet of five vehicles, driven by a philosophy as bright as the white and magenta-coloured vans that have become a local icon.

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"We started a business that we would have liked to have accessed ourselves," Steve said.

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Known for his personable disposition jolly and "nothing is too hard" attitude, Steve quickly realised the community shared his excitement.

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However, just as the business hit its stride, COVID-19 brought the global cruise industry to a standstill.

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While others might have parked their vans, Steve and his wife, Sherri, pivoted.

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They transformed their holiday shuttle into a vital lifeline, partnering with Mid North Coast Area Health to transport surgical patients from as far as Yamba, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie to private hospitals in Newcastle, Maitland, Forster and Taree.

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With Steve's typical "no job is too big or too small" philosophy, the hospital transport service became the preferred mode of transport for many.

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"After Anzac Day, when nobody else wanted to work, I went to number one on the list," he said.

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That reliability remains the cornerstone of the business.

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Today, the bright pink and white vans are back to their original mission, shuttling excited holidaymakers to cruise terminals and airports.

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But the service has retained the personal touch developed during the lean years.

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With Newcastle Airport's recent expansion into international flights, Steve has seen a surge in demand for local pick-ups for those heading overseas.

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"Newcastle is doing three international flights a week now, and it's just getting busier," he said.

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"People don't want the hassle of parking or hire cars when they're going to places like Auckland or Singapore, so they ring us."

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The shared shuttle remains his most popular option, not just for the price, but for the social connection.

"People make friends," Steve said.

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"A lot of elderly people swap phone numbers in that van on the way down, socialise on the ship, and then do cruises together afterwards."

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The business operates every day except Christmas and New Year.

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"There are no ships going out then and not many people fly," he said.

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A former electronics technician and sales manager at Sunne Printing, Steve's marketing savvy is evident in his choice of colour.

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While other providers stuck to blues and blacks, he chose a standout pink to ensure he was never missed at a terminal.

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Despite his success, he remains a local at heart, buying petrol locally and supporting organisations like Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry, an organisation to which he owes a debt of gratitude.

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Years ago, while Steve was on the lake with his family, the propeller fell off his boat.

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Marine Rescue sent a boat to pick them up and bring them home safely.

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To give back, Steve and a local travel agent have donated a cruise to the volunteer organisation for a fundraising raffle.

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"If you're going to support a non-profit organisation, support one that supported me," he said.

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Steve lives by the belief that he should treat people how he would like someone to treat his mother.

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"I'm a service, and you're not a service unless you provide a service," he said.

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Whether it's helping an 80-year-old traveller find their gate or offering a quiet ride home for an exhausted passenger, Steve's commitment to his community remains as vibrant as his fleet.

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"I don't like work, but I love driving," he said.

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"As long as the seats are full and the passengers are happy, I'm happy."​