Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 367 i Australasian Bus & Coach

“This will connect Ballarat’s public transport like never before” The Victorian Government has taken another step towards delivering a new bus interchange at Ballarat Station following the release of the concept design. The new interchange will bring local buses closer to the station, making it easier for passengers to access the station precinct, and making it safer to change between transport services. “Ballarat is one of the fastest-growing areas in Victoria, with more people relying on our regional transport services than ever before,” Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan says. “We’re giving local buses a permanent home, reducing the impact of frequent bus services on local roads and residents.” The concept design includes 12 new bus bays, pedestrian crossings for safer access between the car park and station entrance, and…

Kangaroo Flat Bus Lines (KFBL), operating out of Bendigo, Victoria, changed hands mid-2016, and business is flourishing under the new ownership. KFBL is the overarching company that encompasses Riverina Bus Lines. It also has shares in: McIvor Transit (Heathcote to Bendigo route service); an iTalk travel agency (a franchise); and JP Nihill (which provides a route service from Castlemaine into Bendigo). The organisation also runs Heathcote Transit, a small taxi service with three vehicles. “KFBL was originally owned by George Dawson. His son, David Dawson, took over about five years ago and we bought the business off him about two years ago,” KBFL business development manager Mike Bulmer explains. KBFL is available for anything from tours to short trips around town. “The charter market is very competitive nowadays. The trick,…

Technology is moving fast as we edge closer to the 2020s. Melbourne-based Parts Supply Solutions and Hanover Displays director Fiona Watson says bus and coach operators are becoming more security conscious – and so the company is focusing heavily on CCTV and surround-view camera systems in 2018. Demand for the latest CCTV technology has increased rapidly over the last few years and multiple cameras have been replaced by ones that can capture an extremely wide view with impressive zoom capabilities. “They have top-of-the-range functionality with CCTV footage being streamed live to your mobile phone or computer anywhere, with minimal hardware on your buses,” she says. “Footage doesn’t lie, so it is helping out many of our customers who have incidents, and surround external-view cameras continue to be a great product…

Auckland Transport is extending the operation of dynamic lanes on Whangaparaoa Road during the afternoon peak by an hour from 4pm to 7pm from late February. At present, the hours are 4pm to 6pm. The dynamic lane concept, similar to tidal flow lanes, uses the existing road network more efficiently for the movement of people and vehicles. It makes use of traffic control devices and an adaptive LED light system to create an extra lane for vehicles travelling in the peak direction. Data collected since the start of the trial on January 24 has shown a positive improvement to the PM peak traffic flow on Whangaparaoa Road. Travel times have reduced and there is less queuing on Hibiscus Coast Highway, which is also having a positive impact on the flow…

“We’re delivering better public transport in the south-eastern suburbs” Frankston’s new train station is another step closer with work kicking off on the transformation, which is to be completed by the end of 2018. The Victorian Government awarded the project contract to an alliance led by John Holland and KBR. The new station is part of the Labor Government’s $63 million Frankston Station Precinct Redevelopment. Genton Architecture emerged from a field of 39 to unanimously win the architectural design competition and has refined the design, which includes a distinctive new canopy and buildings, upgrades to the entrance and subway access. Other improvements to the area include new public plazas and walkways, which is set to create a thriving, modern shopping and transport hub. “This new station will be bigger and…

‘Before even stepping foot in the Sprinter, there’s a sense this will be a quality drive’ Mercedes-Benz is a full-range supplier of vans and related services in Australia. The very first Mercedes-Benz van was sold in Australia in 1998, and since then the brand has experienced a steady rise; 2017 was a particularly impressive year, yielding 15 per cent growth. The first Sprinter Transfer was introduced to the local market in 2006, with this test drive intended to help make sense of its growing market popularity. Mercedes-Benz is a well-known, easily recognisable and much-respected luxury brand. To date, however, despite enjoying a continually increasing market share, it still faces stiff competition from the historically dominant Toyota HiAce. “The minibus market has remained steady over a long of period of time,…

‘Deliveries increased in February 2018, with 91 brand-new buses delivered throughout Australia’ Deliveries increased in February 2018, with 91 brand-new buses delivered throughout Australia. This is a big step up compared to January, during which 65 new bus deliveries were reported by manufacturers, representing an increase of 26. It was a relatively prosperous February compared to previous years, with 80 and 74 sold in 2017 and 2016 respectively. Volvo once again was the top choice among chassis manufacturers, maintaining the 29 sold in January with the same result in February. It was followed by Scania, which increased its month-on-month deliveries from 15 to 19. BCI also recorded strong numbers, posting 16, which was a massive jump from January’s total of four. The rest posted seven or less. In terms of…

“From day one of the contract, customers will be able to order a bus like they order an Uber” Transit Systems has won the competitive tender to operate bus services in Sydney’s inner west. Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance says the new operator will introduce its first round of improvements by the end of the year, with extra services on four of the region’s busiest routes. “This is great for people who travel by bus in Sydney’s inner west – they have a new operator committed to boosting services and using new technology to make catching a bus easier,” Constance says. “From day one of the contract, customers will be able to order a bus like they order an Uber, with on-demand mini-bus services around Canada Bay, Concord…

“We are looking forward to working closely with our existing clients and the new customers that are coming on board” Workshop equipment supplier Genesis Equipment has enhanced its portfolio with the acquisition of Queensland-based lubrication system specialist Cornish Lubrication Services. Providing workshop fitouts and equipment, including wheel service equipment and lifts and hoists, with this partnership Genesis will enhance its capabilities within the industry through a range of lubrication and equipment solutions for workshops. “We are very excited about the acquisition of Cornish Lubrication Services as part of the expanding GE Group,” Genesis Equipment general manager Brett Morgan says. “Andrew [Cornish] and his team have an impeccable reputation in the industry, a goal we strive to maintain with Genesis, so it was a natural progression to bring this organisation –…

Intelligent transport systems company HMI Technologies hopes to activate more autonomous vehicle trials in Australasia as it seeks to become a regional leader, helping establish a pathway to widespread application of this rapidly emerging technology. The initial trial was launched by New Zealand transport minister Simon Bridges in Christchurch. It has several objectives that HMI expects will pave the way towards deployment of level five fully autonomous vehicles to be used in a variety of applications. Level five autonomous vehicles are those that are effectively completely driverless, requiring no human intervention to operate or navigate. A Navya Arma vehicle being used in the Christchurch trial, whilst driverless, remains a level four autonomous vehicle, as it follows a predetermined course. For HMI, the trials represent an exciting new direction for the…

>> Quick Search To find these products online, go to busnews.com.au and enter the TA code shown below in the Keyword search panel. 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER T/D Auto, low Kms, wheelchair lift. This van is extremely rare and hard to find. With 12 seats plus 1 wheelchair position, complete with harnesses, you can take everyone where you want to go. WA 08 6166 8347 $55,000 inc GST 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ VARIO LO814 Denning body, 31 vinyl metro seats plus driver seat, rear boot, front engine, 6 speed ZF manual, school lights, tow bar, floor heater. Located In Tasmania For Inspections. VIC 03 8373 7105 $25,000 inc GST 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ VARIO L0814 Seats 31, 6 spd manual, 370585 klms, automatic door, low bench seat, no belts NSW 02 6171 3532 $15,990 inc…