Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 378 i Australasian Bus & Coach

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…

A RECORD order of 37 Iveco Crossway ‘Natural Power’ coaches for the Dracénie Region, France, is to be delivered by the end of 2019, the company confirms. The 37 Crossway Natural Power (NP) coaches will be operated by Beltrame Group, and will be delivered to Dracénie Regional Council (Dracénie Provence Verdon agglomeration (DPVA)). A commitment charter to promote energy transition was signed by the DPVA, Iveco Bus and the Beltrame Group during a reception held in Draguignan, France, in the presence of a number of local and regional political dignitaries. Guests were able to test drive a Crossway NP and a Daily Blue Power NP, the company states. The DPVA operates 11 coaches itself and the balance is run by Beltrame Group. “We now have more than 270 coaches and…

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN Government has launched a new $1.25 million campaign encouraging motorists to “give public transport a go” and “take a break from driving, try a bus or train”, it’s announced recently. The campaign follows latest data highlighting the first increase in [public transport] patronage since 2013 and promotes public transport as a “…viable, complementary addition to their transport mix.” Getting to events, parking costs and traffic congestion are all cited as reasons people would consider using public transport, it adds. It aims to attract new and lapsed users to the award-winning state PT network. Though Transperth services are consistently well rated by existing passengers (about nine in 10 regular users say they are either very satisfied or satisfied with their journeys), patronage was falling on the Transperth network.…

THE NSW PEAK BODY for the private bus and coach industry, BusNSW, has formally launched its campaign ahead of the March 23 State Election with the release of its document Moving People NSW – Measures to Shape our Communities. BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld said the document highlights 20 measures that BusNSW believes could have huge flow-on effects in terms of reducing congestion and creating more desirable places to live and work. “Buses play a vital role in delivering public transport in NSW and each year carry around 332 million passengers, including almost 580,000 students travelling to and from school each day,” Threlkeld said. “Issues of population growth, congestion and mobility have become real election issues in the public’s mind and there is an opportunity for candidates to support our…

Key transport industry associates visited one of Busways’ largest bus depots recently for the special networking event ‘Coffee with a Cop’, launching Bus Safety Week (February 18–24) as part of the NSW Police’s Heavy Vehicle Safety initiative. Talking bus safety at Busways’ Penrith depot, senior Busways staff members hosted senior police officers and representatives from government and industry including Transport for NSW, RMS, Penrith Council, and the Transport Workers Union. The key topic of conversation was local bus and heavy vehicle safety priorities on Penrith’s roads. Coffee with a Cop is an initiative held every year to bring police and their local communities closer together. Busways’ head of Operations David Collins said as an industry leader Busways embraced the opportunity to host this year’s event to continue the important conversation…

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…

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…

A NEW BUS station that can accommodate up to 80 bus services and means the community stands to benefit from the new public transport hub at Curtin University has been officially opened recently. The AUD$15 million project – with contributions from Curtin and the Public Transport Authority (PTA) – will be open from Sunday, February 17, 2019, adding to the existing station on Hayman Road. The project was funded with a $10 million contribution from Curtin University and $5 million from the Public Transport Authority, to create a regional hub to improve connectivity for the community, the government states. At full capacity, Curtin Central Bus Station will accommodate up to 80 bus services during peak times, servicing the growing public transport needs of the nearby community, including Curtin University’s Bentley…

The company may only be 12 years old, but its methodology for success is clear as day. Established by Fazlaan Farook, Alston Coaches specialises in the travel, school and corporate industry sector. Having grown by more than 60 per cent over the past two years, the business has picked up new contracts and continues to attract attention for the right reasons. Farook is simultaneously attempting to modernise the way Alston does business, having invested in five new Irizar i6S luxury coaches, which will arrive from Spain this year. Quick to identify a niche in the market, Farook says customers are asking for more than just a plain, white bus. “We’ve seen growth as we’re investing in these buses, we see a lot of potential out there,” Farook said. “Our main…

In the 1970s, the coach touring industry was well and truly on the move, according to the organisation. The crews were on the road full time and making lots of friends amongst themselves and with others associated within the industry. There was one problem, though - they would only see each other for a few hours here and there. They really didn’t have time to spend with each other without the call of passengers. In 1978 a decision was made to have a Christmas party. As November came to a close, most crews were back at home base. The Dandenong Club, in Melbourne, was used as the venue and by word of mouth the invitation was sent out. The number of people coming? It was supposed to be 63, but…

Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) recently announced that its subsidiary, Bridgestone Europe NV/SA, has entered into an agreement with TomTom to acquire TomTom Telematics, its digital fleet solutions business, for a cash consideration of €910 million (A$1.4 billion). The transaction is anticipated to be completed at the latest in the second quarter of 2019, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions such as regulatory approvals. This acquisition doesn’t have a direct implication for the Australian market, a company spokesperson confirmed; however, it is related to Bridgestone ANZ’s B Mobile technology. TomTom is the number one provider of digital fleet solutions in Europe, a marketplace diverse in legal, commercial and cultural requirements. Its digital fleet solutions business has successfully demonstrated its ability to operate in complex and demanding market environments and has…

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.…

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,…

PASSENGERS of the BusBot Automated Vehicle Service being trailed in Coffs Harbour, NSW, will benefit from live, accurate travel information at bus stops thanks to Papercast solar-powered e-paper displays with BetterETA technology, it’s reported. The “futuristic transport service” Papercast Technology is a highlight of Australia’s first regional trial of an automated passenger vehicle service. The automated passenger vehicle trial is an NSW Government initiative, led in partnership between Transport for NSW, local bus operator Busways, Coffs Harbour City Council and vehicle manufacturer EasyMile. The trial aims to revolutionise the way passenger transport services are designed and delivered in rural and regional communities. This is a three-phase trial where the technology is tested in more complex environments as the trial progresses. ADDED VALUE Busways’ Special Project manager Timothy J. Reid said,…

THE DEATH of a young student alighting from a bus on the NSW Central Coast two years ago highlights the need for societal attitudes towards road safety to be improved, according to a leading transport safety investigator. As reported on www.abc.net.aurecently, deputy chief investigator of the NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI), Kevin Kitchen, believes the dangers of children crossing roads was still widely misunderstood. The death of schoolgirl Mariasusana Va’afusuaga, who was hit and killed by a passing truck near her home at Rocky Point in April 2017, has drawn heightened attention to the issue. As the article notes, OTSI has recently released its final investigation report on the accident, which includes 13 recommendations. In terms of the incident itself, the five-year-old had just stepped off the school…

This test drive of the new Yutong E12 is certainly going to be an exciting one. We’ve driven an electric bus before and, yes, on paper it’s easy to see the common-sense this technology brings and what it could do for our industry, but today’s bus and drive is part of an important change that will, in one way or another, affect us all. Today’s drive is much more than the importance of this one Yutong E12 electric bus and what it does; it’s about the trial that Nowra’s Premier Motor Service is conducting as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to having a minimum of 10 per cent of buses being electric or hybrid by 2021 – and how this one bus will hopefully show us all how it…

Bus and coach deliveries have already cracked the three-figure mark in 2019, with manufacturers – aided by the return of Mercedes-Benz to this section this year – recording a result of 108. It is the first time since 2014 that January numbers have hit more than 100. The big surprise compared with recent history is that China-based Yutong has joint-topped the manufacturers chart for the month, equal with Mercedes-Benz on 23. The Swedes, Volvo and Scania, followed on 21 and 18, respectively, with BCI the other to hit double figures. Again, Yutong also led the body building stats on 23, Following closely was Volgren, which recorded 20 deliveries for the month, followed by Custom on 14. Both BCI and Bustech recorded 12 each. ‘The big surprise ... is that Chinese-based…