Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 358 i Australasian Bus & Coach

A major roads project is set to remove a key bottleneck for buses by creating a dedicated bus lane between the Eastern Freeway and Hoddle Street. Expressions of interest closed for construction of the first section of the Streamlining Hoddle Street project between Johnston Street and the Eastern Freeway in late May. Victorian Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan says a range of other improvements are also being investigated, including changes to bus and tram stops, improved cycling paths, and ways to reduce bus travel times. “We’re making Hoddle Street faster and more reliable so people spend less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families,” he says. “Along with streamlining four major intersections, the upgrade is investigating the use of technology to reduce travel times for…

“There is growing demand for alternative fuel vehicles for public use” Hyundai Motor Company plans to release its first commercial electric bus model by early 2018. Its electric bus models are already in development with plans for a trial run later this year, according to the South Korean vehicle manufacturer. Hyundai was the first car maker in South Korea to develop an electric bus, the “Elec-City” in 2010. Though the model was trialled after its release, Hyundai couldn’t price it competitively, and the bus was never commercialised. Now that battery prices have dropped and there is growing demand for alternative fuel vehicles for public use, Hyundai will mass produce electric buses which can be fully charged within one hour. A special team dedicated to developing batteries is leading a project…

‘Public transport franchising can deliver better services for commuters and significant savings for taxpayers’ Privatising Australia’s government-operated bus and rail services could save taxpayers up to $15.5 billion by 2040, which could be reinvested into new transport services, Infrastructure Australia says. Infrastructure Australia’s Improving Public Transport: Customer Focused Franchising report recommends that state and territory governments pursue franchising, where the operation of government-owned bus and rail services are subject to a competitive tender process and the contract is awarded to the best operator. “Experience both here and abroad shows that public transport franchising can deliver better services for commuters and signi›cant savings for taxpayers,” Infrastructure Australia chief executive Philip Davies says. “Re-investing these savings back into our public transport networks will help deliver the infrastructure Australia needs to meet our…

‘An updated exterior and interior design gives it a more contemporary look’ In the automotive industry, vehicle longevity on the Australian market is a sure sign that the vehicle manufacturing company is doing something right and the product it is delivering must be an exceptionally capable one. The Toyota Coaster was ›rst launched in Japan as the ‘Light Bus’ in 1963. In 1969, the vehicle underwent a redesign and was renamed the ‘Coaster’ – a name still used worldwide for almost 50 years. Globally, Coaster sales have now exceeded an extraordinary 550,000 vehicles. Toyota ›rst introduced the range to Australia in 1977. The release of the updated 2017 Coaster celebrates an impressive 40 successful years in the Australian market, including more than 20,000 sales nation-wide. MOST ADVANCED YET Toyota Australia…

Bus Stop Sales & Service, headed up by director Pete White and supported by his father Dick White, delivered its ›rst Yutong in March 2014 to a western Queensland mining operator. Since that time, the company has established itself as the leading supplier of Yutong vehicles in Australia and become one of the nation’s largest suppliers of new and used buses and coaches. According to Pete White, the most demand right now seems to be for vehicles in the mid-sized sector – up to 40 seats. “There is a limited range of quality products in this realm and, as such, this has been a key focus of our business, with these vehicles comprising about 65 per cent of all sales,” he says. “We are ›nding that the industry demand is…

‘The 2017 Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Queen incorporates the latest in automatic transmission technology” Fuso’s new buses are the ›rst models in Japan to come with an 8-speed automatic mechanical transmission (AMT) as standard. The Aero Queen and Ace Tour models have been substantially redesigned and improved in terms of safety and comfort, according to the company. Fuso Bus Marketing & Sales Japan spokesperson Hidekazu Kanno says the new Aero Queen and Aero Ace buses are the touring buses most used by travellers in Japan. “The new models maintain the same bus body appearance as those of the earlier models that were hig hly valued in the market but have greater safety performance, allowing their passengers to enjoy a safer bus ride,” he says. “The vehicle control system and power train…

Results of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey show only 2 per cent of buses checked had major non-conformities. The NHVR coordinated a nation-wide survey of 7130 heavy vehicle combinations across Australia between August and November last year but the results have only just recently been released. During the survey period, 364 transport inspectors inspected rigid trucks, semi-trailers, B-doubles, road trains, buses and special purpose vehicles (SPV) at 168 inspection sites, including roadside check points, in state inspection facilities, and transport operator depots. The data clearly shows the buses and coaches that were inspected were much more compliant with safety regulations than all other heavy vehicle types. Only 147 of the 11,066 vehicles inspected were grounded. Major non-conformities create a critical concern over the safety of…

“Both are locally owned family businesses with over 160 years of combined experience” North Island company Tranzit has been named as the preferred bidder for a contract to operate a large chunk of Wellington route services. Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) received 86 bids from nine tenderers — including one from the incumbent contract holder — as well as several international operators. The preferred bidders have given a commitment to employ as many bus drivers as possible from the region’s existing workforce, which means working with other incumbent operators who did not win the tender process. More than 300 current drivers held a stop work meeting to discuss pay and conditions, with Wellington route bus services grinding to a halt on from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Friday, May 26. Wellington…

‘Bus services are going to be required in the future to service major trunk rail routes and ... suburbs and towns where rail is not an option’ Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) executive director Michael Apps says that will be definite flow-on effects increasing bus services in order to service the budgeted $500 million spend on boosting Victorian passenger rail services. “It is a clear indication of Federal Government concern about future population growth and congestion and meeting the transport challenges this will impose on our cities and growing regions,” he says. “The reality of this is that more bus services are going to be required in the future to service major trunk rail routes and service suburbs and towns where rail is not an option. “This would indicate that BRT…

This year 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of transport fabric company Camira’s acquisition of John Holdsworth & Co, the famous 200 year old English textile company. John Holdsworth & Co was and remains a world recognised moquette manufacturer supplying fabric for all types of passenger vehicles. In the space of 10 years, Camira has doubled its turnover, now selling eight million metres of fabric a year to 70 countries; expanded from 260 to over 700 employees; increased from two to ›ve manufacturing sites in West Yorkshire; opened a manufacturing facility in Lithuania as well as warehousing and showrooms in China and USA. In Australasia there have been improvements in quality and service and an increased range of products, while preserving the values and traditions of the long-term relationships synonymous with…

2011 TOYOTA COASTER BUS *EX GOVT* Six-speed automatic, 20 adult passenger seats, air-conditioned, power steering, ABS, drivers electric windows and seat belts, automatic door closing. We can deliver anywhere in Australia. QLD 07 3073 8052 $71,000 inc GST 2015 YUTONG ZK6760DAA-28...GOANNA 27+1 seater, Cummins ISB4 turbo intercooled engine (US-UK servsion), Allison 2100 series auto transmission, roof mounted a/c, CD/DVD player with LCD screen, p/a system, tow bar and 7-pin trailer plug 0427 750 885 or 0418 253 422 $80,000 inc GST 1998 MERCEDES-BENZ 1418 air bag suspension, 6-speed manual, 53-seater, cloth seats, ex-government school contract bus, excellent condition throughout, 330,000km, RSI annual inspection 0417 327 103 $25,000 inc GST 2013 MITSUBISHI ROSA AUTOMATIC 25-seat bus, Mitsubishi 4-cyl turbo-diesel engine, automatic transmission, 25 seats with seat belts, full air-con, towbar, only…

‘The roomier cabin has enabled Toyota to install an additional seat opposite the driver, lifting passenger capacity to 21 people’ The 2017 Coaster features a stronger and more rigid frame, the addition of driver and front passenger airbags, and upgraded suspension hardware and tuning. The Coaster’s new body is 70mm taller and 45mm wider with more upright sides for more interior space and more headroom when walking down the central aisle. The roomier cabin has enabled Toyota to install an additional seat opposite the driver, lifting passenger capacity to 21 people (in addition to the driver). The three-vehicle Coaster range has been realigned to meet shifting customer demand, adding an automatic version to the standard grade, while discontinuing the manual version of the higher Deluxe grade. Exterior upgrades include new…

‘Deliveries increased in May 2017 with 93 brand new buses delivered’ Deliveries increased in May 2017 with 93 brand new buses delivered throughout Australia. This compares well with April 2017, during which 86 new bus deliveries were reported by manufacturers, representing an increase of seven vehicles. This May delivery number stacks up well compared to the 85 new buses delivered in May last year. Volvo had a slower month, its deliveries decreasing from 43 in April to 37 in May, followed by Scania’s 21, which was also down on last month’s 25. MAN had a strong month, reporting six deliveries for the month of May – up from four in April. Most other manufacturers delivered less than six vehicles respectively, with Yutong increasing month-on-month from two to six. The body…

Brisbane Airport is set to roll out a fleet of 11 electric buses, with Carbridge awarded the contract to build, operate and maintain its new fleet. The five-year contract is worth more than $5 million per year starting on July 1, with the new electric bus fleet coming into full operation in February 2018. Brisbane Airport head of parking and transport services Martin Ryan says the move will reinforce its ongoing commitment to a cleaner, greener environment and an improved passenger experience. “The new fleet will be super quiet and environmentally clean, having reduced noise pollution and zero tail pipe emissions,” he says. “In fact, swapping out our current fleet for electric buses will result in a reduction of 250 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to taking 100…

New South Wales bus users will pay 2.4 per cent more to travel from the start of next month, following an Opal Card fare hike. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s average annual increase of 4.2 per cent has been rejected. Opal fares will instead only be adjusted to CPI, meaning a smaller rise in fares. New South Wales Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance says the fare freeze that has been in place since last year has come to an end, but customers can be guaranteed increases will mirror inflation going forward. “Our transport network has proven to be an easy, convenient and reliable system and we’re continuing to see increased demand across all modes of transport,” he says. Gold Opal Card holders retain unlimited all-day travel for…

‘State Transit still lags a long way behind its industry competitors in measures like on-time running and reliability’ A total of 233 bus routes in Sydney’s inner west will be privatised, it has been revealed recently. State Transit Authority (STA) currently run the services in question. New South Wales Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance says the decision to privatise these services comes after lacklustre performance results, particularly in regard to on-time running and the sheer number of complaints received from bus users. Bus Region 6, which services suburbs from the city west to Strath›eld and Olympic Park, will soon be competitively tendered. Constance says inner-west services attracted the highest number of complaints out of Sydney’s metropolitan area in recent years, well above the results of bordering regions operated…

As a chassis supplier predominantly, Scania Australia is focusing its attention on maintaining large stocks of wear and tear parts for the Scania-Higer A 30 in 2017. “We carry a good supply of repair parts for our ready-built Scania-Higer A 30 buses,” a Scania Australia spokesperson says. “Typical replacement parts include brake pads, rotors and wear sensors, and airbags for our K-series coaches. “Larger driveline components such as radiators, engines, differentials, and gearboxes can be replaced through our Service Exchange Programme. Essentially, demand from customers and also the volume of vehicles on the road reaching an age where some preventative maintenance may be required from our parts inventory planning.” The organisation is now heavily focused on preventative maintenance planning and customised parts supply solutions. “We continue to review our parts…

A lot has changed in the Blue Mountains and throughout society in the last 12 years. We didn’t have smartphones giving us ideas on where to holiday, tourism-focused websites such as TripAdvisor weren’t around to keep providers on their toes, and there were fewer people ›ying in and out of Sydney Airport every day. Fantastic Aussie Tours’ managing director Jason Cronshaw grew up in the bus depot that his parents John and Lorraine started way back in 1974. But it wasn’t until 12 years ago that he decided to return to his hometown and take the reins of the company his parents built from the ground up. John and Lorraine were school teachers in the Blue Mountains’ town of Oberon in the early 1970s when, by chance, they were asked…

The job of a bus operations manager is all-embracing – from planning, directing and coordinating bus operations to supervising staff and knowing the whereabouts of a single student. That’s why Ian Mitchell created his own bus operations software system. He discovered that smaller bus operators have even more problems, so he developed a ‘paperless of›ce’ to ensure all aspects of the business were as automated as possible. Having driven school buses in Brisbane for three years to earn extra cash while retired, Mitchell soon realised the constraints a bus operations manager faced on a daily basis. Not only did everyone within the company depend on the manager’s knowledge, but that person became increasingly irreplaceable. The smaller companies faced an even greater challenge because the owner/manager had to do it all…