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Firstly, a flashback. And there’s no point having a flashback unless you can share it with someone – and that person right now is you. Picture, if you will, flicking on the TV mid-to-late 1970s (work with me here please, Gen Z-ers) and hearing that iconic sitcom theme that went a little something like: “… Who’d have thought they’d lead ya, (Who’d have thought they’d lead ya), Back here where we need ya, (Back here where we need ya). Yeah we tease him a lot ‘cause we got him on the spot, welcome back … Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back…” The hit US show Welcome Back, Kotter’s theme song is just indelibly etched into my brain, not only because it was a catchy tune at the time, but mostly…
WELL KNOWN for its premium bus and coach services in Western Australia, the Adams Group of Companies founder and managing director Adam Barnard has announced full sale of shareholding in WA’s largest tourism transport provider, recently. Barnard announced the complete sale of A&N Enterprises (Australia) Pty Ltd and its subsidiary companies Passenger Transport Services Pty Ltd (Day Tour Operations) and ADAMS Marine Pty Ltd (Rottnest Island Operations) to CM Investment Trust’s James Mulholland and Luke Crispin – owners of Hillarys-based Rottnest Fast Ferries. “It is with mixed emotions that I announce today the sale of my shareholding to my business partners and friends James and Luke. From humble beginnings and a single coach in 2005 to a globally recognised and nationally awarded bus and coach operation today I am enormously…
POLISH BUS manufacturer Rafako has created an electric bus that houses its batteries under the chassis, improving the centre of gravity, stability and behaviour of the vehicle, the company states. According to Rafako, the innovative arrangement of batteries means improved traction parameters, and a synchronous multi-phase permanent magnet motor is a guarantee of high efficiency. “The reduced weight of the vehicle – thanks to its lightweight design – increases the battery range by as much as 10 per cent!” It uses “innovative batteries” for fast LTO charging – taking only 15 minutes to 90 per cent capacity, it states. INNOVATION The Rafako E-bus with electric drive, thanks its “modern technology and small footprint” – will be perfect as a school bus and city, or suburban means of transport, it says.…
THE RELEASE of the final report of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles shows Australia is at risk of being left behind in the electric vehicle revolution, according to the Australian Greens. “The weak recommendations of this report demonstrate just how feeble Labor and Liberal are when it comes to electric vehicle policy. Both major parties say the right words about electric vehicles when it suits them, but when it comes to actually getting behind policies and incentives that will support electric vehicle uptake they are missing in action,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson, and member of the Committee. “The world is experiencing an electric vehicle revolution that is transforming how we move people and goods. “But Australia is a global laggard when it comes to policy…
HINO AUSTRALIA has announced the appointment of automotive and truck industry stalwart Sam (Takashi) Suda to the role of president and CEO, effective February 1, 2019. “We are delighted to welcome Sam to the Hino Australia team – he joins us at a particularly exciting time for the business with our all-new street smart 500 Series Standard Cab now available in dealerships,” said Steve Lotter, chairman and CEO of Hino Australia. “Sam has well-rounded experience in many areas of the business, and is already familiar with the Australian trucking industry, joining Hino Australia from Hino Motors in Japan where he was the general manager – Asia & Oceania Division.” SOLID CV In addition, Suda’s previous roles at Hino include senior vice-president, Hino Motor Sales USA Inc. and general manager, Middle…
INSIGHTFUL DATA ANALYSIS by a leading critical think-thank advocates weight and financial incentive leniency for electric buses in Europe to help overcome the “fear” of embracing “a new and different technology”, according to a recent report. Belgium-based Transport & Environment’s mission is to promote, at EU and global level, a transport policy based on the principles of sustainable development. According to its report Electric Buses Arrive On Time – Marketplace, Economic, Technology, Environmentally and Policy Perspectives, For Fully Electric Buses in the EU, it recommends financial instruments, “…put forward EU funds for zero emission bus deployment, financing the upfront costs of electric buses,” to overcome the, “...the fear of embracing a new and different technology”, which it says “…are the biggest hurdles to the adoption of electric buses.” It added,…
