Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 382 i Australasian Bus & Coach

SINCE 2010, Volvo has recorded hybrid bus sales and orders worldwide of more than 4,000 units, which now includes those in Australia, the company confirms. Britain, Spain and Belgium top the past year’s sales statistics for this “strong demand for Volvo’s energy-efficient hybrid buses”, Volvo states. Between January 1, 2018, and April 1, 2019, the number of sold and ordered hybrid buses totalled 817 units globally. These hybrid models – which are up to a claimed 40 per cent more fuel-efficient than corresponding diesel buses – have since 2010 recorded sales and orders of more than 4,000 units from customers in 23 countries – including Australia, it says. Volvo’s hybrid buses are what the company calls ‘full hybrids’, which means they run entirely without exhaust emissions, and are powered by…

THE GILLIG zero-emission battery electric bus, powered by Cummins – globally a traditional diesel-engine commercial vehicle icon – is now available after it was unveiled at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Mobility Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, recently. “As the leading provider of American-built buses, Gilling is excited to expand our portfolio by offering the market’s most comprehensive battery electric bus solution,” said Derek Maunus, Gillig president and CEO. The zero-emission battery electric bus incorporates the Cummins electrified powertrain, which features remote diagnostics and over-the-air connectivity and is backed by Cummins’ unparalleled support network and service training programs, the company states. The bus initially incorporates the standard 444kWh battery capacity (six packs) and supports charging interoperability via industry standards. Yet variants will include a 35’ version…

GERMAN TYRE manufacturer Continental says its bus and truck fleet tyre-management system has “exceeded expectations”, with administrative outlay reduced and fast processes standardised across European borders, it confirms. Run in conjunction with commercial vehicle rental company Pema, the digital Continental-developed system has allowed Pema to successfully control tyre management across its entire fleet of 18,000 vehicles, throughout multiple European countries, the company says. Citing its increased transparency helping to reduce downtime and maximise service life, Cesar – the digital fleet administration system – was integrated into Pema’s system landscape in 2018, allowing vehicle and service-relevant data to be continuously exchanged and updated via a special interface. One year later, Wolfgang Beuleke, team lead Tire Management at Pema, is delighted with the system, commenting: “First, the increased transparency helps us to…

n arguably advanced A interpretation of a notion put forth by Daimler’s Vision Urbanetic late last year, Scania’s new battery electric self-driving urban concept vehicle is “…designed with the flexibility to shift from ferrying commuters to and from work in mornings and evenings, delivering goods during the day and collecting refuse at night”. In a bold display of innovation, Scania’s engineers have taken the company’s DNA – the modular system – to the next level in developing a concept vehicle that can change shape for varying urban assignments, the company states. According to Scania, countless cities are now catalysing change in urban transport, driven by the need for lower emissions and less congestion. Technological and infrastructural advances in electric and autonomous vehicles will be key enablers for cities when shifting…

HERITAGE SAYS it is Australia’s leading bus finance and business-acquisition funding experts. Its clients are “like family”, it says. It is a privately owned finance brokerage with a team of highly experienced professionals, it states. Since 2005, Heritage completed $1.5 billion in equipment finance and $500m in property finance, and says it is recognised as a leading financier by all major banks. Heritage adds it is the expert in structuring government funding and has partnered with financiers who understand the nuances of the bus industry. The company says it was the first to introduce 10-year loans to the coach industry and encourages customers to call to discuss government-funded upgrade vehicles. Heritage is recognised as a leading financier by all major banks. A key bus identity in the company is Jay…

ay produced the lowest total of deliveries in M 2019 so far, but the figure of 103 still makes it more than a century each month, a solid run indeed. Volvo roared back to the top of the manufacturers’ tally, notching up 45 deliveries, almost double the next competitor in Scania. Mercedes-Benz was the only other to reach double figures, with the rest of the field posting six or fewer. Volgren’s gap at the top of the body builders’ chart was even bigger, with its 42 deliveries more than tripling Bustech’s 13. Custom Bus Group also reached double figures, while 10 more builders fought it out for the rest of the market. Volvo roared back to the top of the manufacturers’ tally. For the air-conditioners, Thermo King recorded 47 deliveries,…

NORTH AMERICA’s largest and most diversified bus and coach manufacturer – NFI Group Inc. (NFI) – has acquired major UK bus-building enterprise Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) for a total transaction value of £320 million (A$587 million) on a cash-free, debt-free basis, subject to certain adjustments, it’s announced recently. In 2018, ADL generated annual consolidated revenue of £631 million (A$1.2 billion), from delivering 2,533 buses for manufacturing revenue of £559 million (A$1 billion) and £71 million (A$130 million) in aftermarket parts and service revenue, it’s claimed. During 2018, approximately 49 per cent of ADL’s consolidated revenue was generated from the UK, 27 per cent from Asia Pacific markets, 12 per cent from North America with the remaining 12 per cent coming from aftermarket and developing markets. In addition, ADL generated free…

FAMILY OWNED New South Wales regional bus operator Sapphire Coast Buslines is the first bus operator in Australia to put Volgren’s new low-floor, seat-belted Urban bus onto the road, Volgren states. The 57-seat bus – a replacement vehicle under its current contract – will be used for both daily school services and standard route services throughout the Bega Valley Shire, covering towns such as Bermagui, Merimbula and Bega, on the NSW South Coast. “This new bus ticks both of those exceptionally important boxes. It’s safe, it looks great, it caters for a variety of passengers and it offers a high level of comfort compared to other low-floor buses,” Sapphire Coast Buslines managing director Anton Klemm said. Klemm said in addition to the inclusion of seatbelts – now a mandatory requirement…

FOLLOWING its highly anticipated debut at the 2017 Hyundai Truck & Bus Mega Fair of its single-deck, 256kWh Elec City electric bus, Hyundai has essentially debuted a double-decker version at the 2019 Land, Infrastructure and Transport Technology Fair in Seoul, recently. At a time when the company is well advanced in its fuel-cell bus projects (in conjunction with industry partners, the goal is to have 1,000 hydrogen ‘fuel cell’ buses on the road across Korea by 2022), this latest 13-metre-long, 4-metre-high 384kWh water-cooled high-efficiency polymer-battery capacity (240kW output) electric double-decker is supported by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. According to official Hyundai information, the bus can transport up to 70 seated passengers (11 seats on the bottom floor and 59 up top) – which is about 1.5…

A DRIVER ALERT and perimeter-safety sensor system is to be rolled out across London bus operator Abellio’s full fleet after the company’s win in the Most Innovative Transport Project category, at the 2019 London Transport Awards, recently. Abellio worked with Transport for London (TfL) and Mobileye to install 10 per cent of its fleet with the Mobileye collision-avoidance system (CAS). The six-month double-decker trial was funded by TfL as part of its innovation fund. The project delivered excellent results in reducing the level of incidents and on board injuries, it’s claimed. As a result, Abellio London will now fit the remainder of its fleet with the system to further improve the safety for passengers, the company states. In total, 66 buses were installed with the system and the buses ran…

THE 2019/20 VICTORIAN State Budget includes $205.1 million to increase train and bus services, the Government recently announced. However, the bulk of its public transport spend focuses on train and tram investment. As it explains, new bus routes and more services will be rolled out in growth areas in the north and south-east – connecting people to jobs, reducing travel times and improving public transport options in the suburbs and regions. Minister for Public Transport, Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said: “We’re building more trains and trams to give passengers a better experience and support local jobs. “We promised to get trucks off local streets and that’s exactly what we’re doing. “Whether it’s a better local bus or brand new trains – this Budget will get you where you need…

LEASELINK AS A MEMBER of the Commercial Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia Limited (CAFBA), Leaselink Business Finance is committed to providing tailored finance and leasing solutions, working with a comprehensive range of financiers to meet your individual business needs. Since its establishment in 1991, Leaselink has emerged as a market leader in equipment, aviation, earthmoving and transport finance and as finance brokers to businesses throughout Australia. LeaseLink’s small, dedicated team is focused on personal service and achieving the best results for your business, it’s stated. Its staff continuously strengthen their ability and knowledge of equipment finance products and requirements through regular consultation and education with major financiers, industry specialists and, most importantly, its clients. The company says it can arrange finance facilities for all types of buses and coaches…

A VICTORIAN BUS OPERATOR will run Scania’s first right-hand-drive, second-generation hybrid that’s touted as the “world’s first silent hybrid city bus”, the company states. Geelong-based McHarry’s Buslines – a long-time Scania customer – has ordered three Generation II, K320 UB 4x2 Scania hybrid buses set up in right-hand drive, with the first of the vehicles expected to enter service later this year in October. Express Coach Builders will body the Scania hybrid chassis. The Generation II hybrid Scania buses that McHarry’s will put to work in Geelong can run on battery power alone, either automatically – as determined by the on-board power management system – or when manually selected by the driver, a function known as ‘Silent Mode’. These are the first right-hand drive examples the factory has produced in…

NEW SOUTH WALES National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from within the bus community to provide a bespoke shuttle service for the Royal National Park (RNP), south of Sydney. According to the government organisation, the opportunity to operate an exclusive visitor transport service within Australia’s oldest National Park aims to tap into annual patronage approaching five million visitors. Ultimately, NPWS wants a transport service that will improve the experience of walkers and visitors by providing enhanced access to tracks and trails within RNP – and linking to transport access hubs outside of it. Only one licence will be issued on a competitively allocated basis via a tender, NPSW confirms. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The objectives of the service are to: • Improve access for visitors…

BUS OPERATOR Busways has launched an on-demand app as a new way to connect passengers with the recently opened Sydney Metro and conventional rail services, it’s reported recently. Proclaimed as “…public transport that comes to you”, Busways is providing the new on-demand Hino Ponchos to residents in The Ponds and Schofields areas in the growing north-west of Sydney, NSW. Cooee Busways launched late May, 2019, to coincide with the opening of Sydney Metro Northwest and operates Monday to Friday from 5.00am until 9.00pm, connecting customers with Schofields Station and the new Sydney Metro stations at Tallawong and Rouse Hill, the company states. “Integrated public transport options will alleviate commuter’s frustrations with congestion on western Sydney roads when they’re just trying to get to work and back home each day,” managing…

uilt on a Scania B K310 city bus chassis this 100th bus is for delivery to State Transit’s (STA) Port Botany depot, under the Region 9 contract, according to the company. NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, The Hon. Andrew Constance MP, was on hand to help with the celebrations with representatives from the STA, other Custom Bus Group customers and the media. Scott Dunn, managing director and owner of Custom, which last year came under ownership of The Dunn Group’s Custom Bus Group, said he was very proud of what the business had achieved since starting the “new Custom” in March, 2018. “In just over a year we have relocated the factory from Villawood to St Marys and created 175 jobs,” Dunn said. “I knew it would be a…

OACHAIR PRODUCTS have C proudly set the benchmark for the modern bus and coach air-conditioning market. In addition to providing customers with a superior reliable product at a lower cost, weight and power consumption the Coachair commitment extends to supporting the product for its entire life. The company terms this commitment ‘Through Life Support’ - continued product, technical and service support for the entire product lifecycle. Coachair recognises customers need specific, tailored solutions and not a generic service approach, it says. Anthony O’Donnell, Bus Sales manager, understands the value of offering a flexible approach to aftermarket service. “We are driven by our customers’ individual needs. Our customers range from independent local coach operators to larger fleet operators. They determine the level of aftermarket support they require,’ said O’Donnell. “Customers have…

t’s been a long time coming but I once again Launceston took centre stage for the wonderful 2019 TasBus Conference, held May 31 to June 1 in the heart-warmingly stylish Country Club Tasmania, Prospect. Here, Tassie bus fans had travelled from all over the country and the state – still needing more from the latter, but we’ll get to that soon – to partake in this year’s stunning event. With an even bigger charity-benefit plan and a range of hot bus topics to be discussed, about 160 guests attended to give it their full support and attention. While ‘word around the campfire is’ delegates have a greater inclination to attend the TasBus event when it’s held in Hobart, key industry players are keen to encourage all Tasmanian bus people to…