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Bus manufacturers are looking at new and cheaper ways to transport people and that is going to be vital moving forward into a future where public transport becomes seamless. Autonomous vehicles will be transporting people both in a private capacity and in large groups one day, with driverless bus trials in the Northern Territory announced at the dawn of 2017. But don’t pop the champers just yet, because we have a whole new year of BIC events to keep best practice and good old-fashioned communication alive when we need it most in our industry. We’ve got specialist bus reviewer Steve Skinner taking the Volgren Endura for a run around the cliffs of Gippsland. She rides fair and smoothly as it turns out, and regional Victorian operator Rob Wise let us…
A successful Keolis Downer bid to operate Newcastle Transport will deliver service improvements for commuters, leading to its selection over lower-cost bids, the New South Wales Government announced. More frequent services and a new timetabling system that will link bus, ferry and light rail timetables to ensure the best services for customers will also be implemented. NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance announced new operator Newcastle Transport to start running services this year. “We are investing more than $500 million to breathe new life into Newcastle, and we will now have a transport system in place to support the extra jobs and activity at the heart of a truly revitalised Newcastle,” Baird says. “Newcastle Transport will guarantee better and more frequent public transport options,…
Every passenger bus in Victoria will be fitted with perspex security screens and loop barriers to protect drivers from the risk of violent assault following an industry push. It is expected the full rollout of new security screens on about 2000 existing buses will cost an estimated $10 million, to be split evenly between the state authority Public Transport Victoria and operators. All new buses that enter service will also have screens fitted. Transport Workers Union (TWU) Victorian and Tasmanian branch secretary John Berger says it was pleasing that a process started by the organisation in 2010 following an attack on a Dandenong bus driver and recent attacks have forced authorities to better protect drivers. BusVic has also advocated for the initiative over a number of years. “These measures are…
A new SkyBus service will run between Melbourne’s CBD and Avalon, making it quicker, easier and cheaper to get to the growing airport. Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined SkyBus operators on the tarmac to announce the new service and says the Avalon service has gone from strength to strength. “This is fabulous news for the airport and the local community,” he says. “SkyBus’ decision to extend its services to Avalon Airport is a vote of confidence in the region and the airport. Avalon is a gateway to some of our most prized tourist destinations. “A busier Avalon Airport means visitors from around Australia coming to Victoria to see the best of everything we offer.” Avalon Airport now offers Jetstar services to Hobart, Adelaide, Sydney and…
The State Transit Authority (STA) has been successful in negotiating new contracts for another five years to provide a public bus service to the people of Sydney. However, about 150 jobs will be axed at the STA – most of them from support roles – as the government-run operator slashes costs to allow it to hold onto large Sydney bus contracts. State Transit has told its heavily unionised workforce there will be cuts to back-office support roles and a major overhaul of managerial and salaried jobs. Some 40 per cent of the 500-strong workforce that falls under the umbrella of ‘State Transit Executive’ will be relieved by late this year. The pressure has been on the STA to slash costs in order to convince the government to extend its four…
The Northern Territory Government has taken a monumental step in establishing Darwin as Australia’s first fully operational transportation trial site for an autonomous passenger vehicle. This will be the first time an autonomous vehicle will be used as a transport solution in Australia. Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner says the six-month trial deployment of Australia’s first EasyMile EZ10 ‘driverless’ vehicle at the Darwin Waterfront will commence early this year. It will see the driverless vehicle transport visitors from the Waterfront precinct to Stokes Hill Wharf on a repeat loop. “Autonomous transport technology is no longer science fiction – it’s here and we are leading the way,” he says. “With this project, the NT Government and Darwin join an exclusive list of jurisdictions worldwide actively developing autonomous transport including Singapore,…
