Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 369 i Australasian Bus & Coach

AN ESTIMATED 200 protesters representing hundreds of state-wide bus operators and organisations gathered outside on the Victorian Parliament House steps recently to decry the “reprehensible” Melbourne Metro Bus contracts currently under negotiation and the State Labor Government’s plans to nationalise the private metropolitan bus network, according to organisers. BusVic executive director Chris Lowe delivered an impassioned speech to those assembled, labelling the contracts being offered as, “reprehensible”, “unconscionable” and “anti-small business” among a raft of other terms. Ultimately, his “anti-family business” assertion seemed to resonate strongly with listeners, it’s claimed. “Minister Allan has told nine small-to-medium family business bus owners out of the 13 that operate in Melbourne that the Government will give them a new contract or license to operate only if they agree to transfer their new vehicles,…

THE FIRST SELF-DRIVING BUS in ‘real traffic’ is now rolling in Gothenburg, Sweden, with the inaugural journey taking place today at the Chalmers University of Technology campus in Johanneberg, it’s claimed. The beginning phase of this initiative has now begun and the autonomous shuttle bus is available to the public, moving people between the main entrance of Chalmers University of Technology, Johanneberg Science Park, and the Chalmers Library, organisers state. “We intend to demonstrate that self-driving vehicles are both safe and comfortable,” says Anne Rosa Simonsen, the communications manager at Autonomous Mobility, the company responsible for the shuttle operation. “Getting started in real traffic is like a lunar landing for us!” The project is the second of its kind in Scandinavia. Behind this venture is a partnership between 15 organisations…

PUBLIC TRANSPORT that is safe, efficient and effective is a core priority when it comes to city-building. While trains get a lot of attention, buses can also deliver successful public transport services – if we can overcome some common problems. Jason Byrne, Professor of Human Geography and Planning, University of Tasmania and Emma Pharo, Senior Lecturer, Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania report. SIX PRINCIPLES FOR BETTER SERVICE Here we offer six principles for making buses better. Research shows that to meet people’s everyday mobility needs, such as dropping children at school, doing shopping, running errands and so on, bus services must be flexible, convenient, safe, reliable, efficient and integrated. 1. Flexibility is a key requirement. People need to be able to use buses for multiple trips – in…

A MAJOR ECONOMIC document has highlighted the financial competitiveness of electric buses over conventionally fuelled models, giving insight into the technology’s potentially unforeseen rapid acceptance for bus fleets globally, as reported recently. Bloomberg’s Electric Buses in Cities: Driving Towards Cleaner Air and Lower CO2 - authored by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) on behalf of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group – highlights an electric, or an ‘e-buses’, competitiveness against conventional diesel and CNG fuelled modes. It states, “air quality is a growing concern in many urban environments and has direct health implications for residents. Tailpipe emissions from internal combustion engines are one of the major sources of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates. Diesel engines in particular have very high nitrogen oxide emissions and yet these make…

GREATER WELLINGTON CITY commuters can now have their first trip to or from the city onboard one of Tranzit Group’s new Optare Metrocity buses. The brightly coloured buses are operated by Tranzurban Wellington (a division of Tranzit Group) and are configured in 10.1-metre (MC10130) and 10.8-metre (MC10820) lengths, which are capable of carrying up to 55 passengers and have been built specifically to service the Greater Wellington routes. The smaller 10.1-m buses will be used around Wellington’s steep and winding city streets. Both the shorter MC10130 and the longer MC10820 derivatives of the Metrocity buses have been fitted with the higher output 130kW (174hp) engines. Tranzit Group is one of New Zealand’s public transport operators and is based in Masterton in the Wairarapa region of the North Island. Tranzurban driver…

ABA 4 warns the driver and triggers braking – all to avoid accidents and protect more vulnerable road users, says Daimler. With pedestrian recognition, ABA 4 warns the driver visually and audibly of any potential collision and also triggers partial braking. “This gives the driver every opportunity to prevent a collision with a pedestrian: the driver can warn the pedestrian using the horn, initiate maximum full-stop braking or steer to avoid the collision.” ABA 4 with pedestrian recognition is based on next-gen radar technology, also featuring in the latest Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks. The electronically scanning multi-mode radar comprises long and short range radar systems. The long-range radar registers multi-track vehicles and stationary obstacles at a maximum distance of up to 250m in a direct line in front of the…

1988 MERCEDES-BENZ OH1625 Rear mount Merc 250 HP V8 Auto, flat floor, power VIC steering, air bag suspension, excellent ceiling height. 03 9998 4741 Highway diff. 47 seats. Very easy to drive and in excellent condition. Ideal for motorhome conversion. $24,500 inc GST MERCEDES-BENZ 1418 1992 Mercedes Benz 1418 Chassis Austral Denning QLD Bodied 11.7m Side Luggage Bins Rear Engine Manual 07 3171 1766 Transmiision Good Head Height Ideal for Mobile home conversion. $15,000 inc GST 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ 1418 VIC 614000 kms, Manual, 57 passenger, Flat Floor, Side 03 8373 7196 Bins. $32,000 inc GST 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ DENNING MAJESTIC NSW Mercedes Benz/Dennings Coach 48 Seater-TV DVD 02 6171 3989 Toilet.Huge Luggage Space.Would mske ideal Motor Home. $25,300 inc GST…

DOOSAN INFRACORE ENGINE BUSINESS GROUP develops and manufactures eco-friendly, high-efficient and optimum performance engines, giving top priority to customer satisfaction and aiming to add value to customer and as well as environment, it’s stated. Doosan Infracore independently has developed low-emissions diesel engines for heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicles from 1995. Now Doosan Infracore has Euro 1 to Euro 5-compliant diesel engines to meet the diverse demands from all over the world. Euro 6-compliant engines went into mass production early 2016. Doosan Infracore automotive diesel engines are available from 230 to 450hp (169 to 331kW). For on-highway applications, Doosan Infracore offers the robust and high-efficient engines. Buses, trucks and special vehicles are powered by Doosan Infracore engines. Pictured is the DV15TIS V8 TI. The 14.6-litre pumps out a maximum 309kW (420hp)…

A MAJOR BUS ORDER from Transport Canberra (TC) means Volgren has added 45 new workers to its Eagle Farm manufacturing facility in Brisbane, as the massive Australian-based bus-body manufacturer grows its production volumes to suit, the company announced recently. Volgren won the TC contract late 2017. This is in addition to the 60 buses it will deliver to Brisbane City Council in 2018 as part of its long-running prime contractor agreement. Peter Dale, chief executive officer of Volgren, said staff in Brisbane are busy working on the first of 20 low-floor rigid and 10 articulated city buses to be delivered to the national capital by the end of September. “Queensland is an important part of our manufacturing capability and we’re proud that the facility is now producing buses not just…

The event started with a ‘Business Improvement Boot Camp’ covering topics that are important to all sectors of the industry, including contracted and non-contracted operators, and industry suppliers. The topics had a ‘P’ theme and included: • Pricing, Profitability and Performance • People • Public Relations and Promotion • Property and Plant. The main objective for the bootcamp was to get members thinking about their day-to-day business activities and where there may be opportunities for improvement. The afternoon finished with a look at the future via a presentation on the autonomous shuttle bus trial currently underway at Sydney Olympic Park. Delegates enjoyed the Volvo-sponsored Welcome Function on the Thursday evening with Lauren Downs, general manager of Volvo Bus Australia, introducing a new-look team to delegates. The conference commenced with BusNSW…

CUMMINS SOUTH PACIFIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cummins Inc. A global power leader, Cummins Inc. is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Cummins is the world’s largest independent designer and manufacturer of diesel engines, it’s stated. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana,USA, the company employs about 48,000 people worldwide and serves customers in 190 countries through its network of more than 600 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and around 6,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned US$1.48 billion on sales of $17.3 billion in 2013. ISBE5 Derived from the legendary B-series Cummins engines of which there are millions in service around the world, the…

THE ZF-ECOLIFE six-speed automatic transmission lives up to its reputation as universal genius once more, its states. Thanks to the new start-stop function, city buses consume up to 10 per cent less fuel. An additional transmission variant called EcoLife Coach is particularly suitable for higher input torques of up to 2300Nm and therefore for intercity and coach applications. For sophisticated coach tours there’s the ZF-EcoLife coach for torques up to 2300Nm. ZF-EcoLife is the worldwide benchmark for automatic bus transmissions used in the most demanding application area – the city traffic, it’s stated. Based on this, the technology company is expanding the transmission family with the ZF-EcoLife Coach version. This is specifically designed for use in intercity buses and coaches and for particularly demanding routes. The torque converter in the…

“There were 93 brand-new buses delivered throughout Australia in April 2018” There were 93 brand new buses delivered throughout Australia in April, 2018 - lower than March’s bumper figure of 108, but still the second-busiest month of the year to date. It also compares well to the 86 recorded this time in 2017. In terms of chassis manufacturers, Volvo continues to soar, marking 41 deliveries and smashing its previous best of 33 in March. Scania followed, but its figure of 21 was down on its previous month’s high of 30. BCI again had the third most, but its 12 deliveries were also a decrease on March’s 19. The remainder had fewer than 10. For the body builders, Volgren recorded its best numbers of the year to maintain top spot, notching…

AUSTRALIAN BUS BODY-MAKER Volgren has won the prestigious Supplier of the Year Award at the 2018 BusNSW Member Conference recently, officiated at by The Hon. Andrew Constance, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Held at the Crowne Plaza Resort in the Hunter Valley, the awards recognise excellence in a range of disciplines throughout the NSW bus and coach industry. Winners were as follows: • Industry Achiever Award - Michael Kerr from Rover Motors • Innovative Operator of the Year - Punchbowl Bus Company (accepted by Alex Murray) • Outstanding Industry Contribution - Frank D’Apuzzo (accepted on his behalf by Peter Ferris) • Supplier of the Year - Volgren (accepted by John Allen). Volgren CEO Peter Dale said on behalf of the entire company he was delighted and humbled to win Supplier…

THE BUS INDUSTRY CONFEDERATION is lobbying the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) for an exemption for government-contracted bus services Australia wide to not have to use any type of work diary – an exemption that currently only exists in New South Wales. It comes at a time of a NHVR announcement that it will accept applications for approval of electronic work diaries (EWDs) after a final consultation report was issued recently. NHVR Productivity and Safety executive director Geoff Casey said the Regulator was satisfied EWDs would provide a sustainable and effective voluntary alternative to written work diaries to record work and rest hours for heavy vehicle drivers. “There are more than 200,000 written work diaries purchased every year, including many by drivers who are already using electronic systems to assist…

WHERE TO BEGIN? There is so much to cover... In its rawest terms, and right off the bat, the salient points are this: As an OEM bus it can apply the brakes itself in an emergency, and it can inspire greater Australasian tourism patronage, capitalising on year-on-year statistical growth and imbuing ‘bus travel’ with much needed ‘halo status’ to the benefit of us all. Or something like it at least – given the iconic Setra brand from the massive Daimler stable is not intended for our shores. But we will get to that. Firstly, though, it’s the safety features that have put the Setra S 531 DT on the global bus and coach map. In the right combination of the latest iterations of Active Brake Assist (4) and Sideguard Assist,…

A VISIT TO THE Sydney Bus Museum is a must for any bus enthusiast. This collection of impeccably restored historic vehicles displayed in the Old Tram Depot at Leichardt is more than just old buses. It’s our industry’s history curated and preserved by a team of long-serving, dedicated and proud bus historians. At our photoshoot, it was a re-visit to buses of our childhood and an opportunity to be the driver not the passenger this time. We had the pleasure to speak with several volunteers on the day; the dedication and passion for the museum was quite remarkable. Many of them were quietly spoken but emotional as they explained their work and what it meant to them. Chechlacz passionately recounted how the museum started: “Originally, the Historic Commercial Vehicle Association…

Mercedes-Benz offers customers the choice of Euro 5 or Euro 6 engines for its Australian bus and coach portfolio. The tried-and-tested engines have been developed with the global engineering strength of Daimler and feature the latest technology for durability, performance and economy. The OC500LE Route Bus Chassis runs the Euro 6-rated 7.7-litre OM936 six-cylinder unit generating 220kW and 1200Nm of torque. It is available with either the six-speed ZF EcoLife or four-speed Voith DIWA.6 automatic transmission. The two-axle OC500RF School/ Charter Bus chassis uses the Euro 5-rated 12.1-litre OM457 six-cylinder unit generating between 260kW and 1600Nm of torque. It is available with the six-speed ZF EcoLife automatic transmission, it’s stated. The three-axle OC500RF Coach Chassis is available with the 12.1-litre OM457 six-cylinder Euro 5 unit generating 315kW and 2100Nm of…

“Scania is a leader in the provision of alternative fuels for even cleaner engine performance”. SCANIA offers a full range of Euro 6 and Euro 5 emission-compliant engines for Australian bus and coach customers. The proven five- and six-cylinder engines in 9-litre and 13-litre capacities provide excellent fuel economy and the drivability bus drivers like, especially when pulling away with a full load. Scania has pioneered the Euro 6 offer in Australia using SCR-only technology, combining excellent performance and fuel efficiency. The standard Scania engine for route and city bus operations is the 310hp five-cylinder with 1500Nm, while coach operators are revelling in the prowess of the 490hp Euro 6 unit with 2550Nm, which recently arrived here in Australia. With close to 500hp, Scania coach drivers can rightly consider themselves…

Got a cool, crazy or candid picture of busie people doing busie things – or even if they are not busie things, but fun – that you’d like to share on our social page? Then feel free to pop them along to fabian.cotter@bauertrader.com.au…