ABC is the leading bus and coach publication in Australia, providing operators with vital information and market intelligence to help them keep their BUSiness moving. ABC is the major source of vehicle and equipment classifieds for the industry.
Banned – boom! It was the first time I’d gone anywhere near banning anyone from our Facebook page and it wasn’t without much deliberation and thought as to whether to do so. Given online interaction and comments kind of help my KPIs and such, trust me, it probably hurt me more than it did that person, but this time I felt a line had been crossed. It was about BRTs, light rail vs buses (nee: trackless trams – they’re buses, come on now! Yes, the electric ones) and costs, how good they are as an option and a rundown of how good light rail was compared to buses in terms of passenger capacity, etc. I think, I didn’t read it all, no time. Yes, logical and practical reasoning – depending…
THE JOINT Volgren-Hess-Abb tender to provide the vehicles and charging infrastructure for the ongoing A$944 million Brisbane Metro bus project has proven successful, it’s been announced recently. As publicised by Brisbane City Council on Sunday, November 24, 2019, it will introduce a new fleet of 60 high-capacity Brisbane Metro vehicles. The Metro vehicles will integrate seamlessly into busway operations and share the busway with existing bus services, as part of a better planned network, the council claims. Following an extensive tender process, the council is recommending “world-leading vehicle manufacturer HESS”, in partnership with Brisbane-based supplier Volgren, and “electric infrastructure experts” ABB, to design and build the Brisbane Metro vehicle fleet, it states. ADVERTISING According to the council, Hess and its project partners will deliver a zero-tailpipe-emission, battery-electric fleet of vehicles…
THE APPOINTMENT of Hess as preferred supplier for the Brisbane Metro project was ratified at a Council meeting held on Tuesday, November 26, commencing the biggest all-electric, zero-tail-emission, mass public transport project in Australia’s history, it’s reported. Hess had been recently recommended as preferred vehicle supplier for the Brisbane Metro by the Brisbane City Council, whose bid is in partnership with Brisbane-based bus manufacturer Volgren, and electric infrastructure expert Abb. Collectively, they will initially design and build the Brisbane Metro pilot vehicle, which will be extensively performance tested in Brisbane, Volgren confirms. A further 59 Metro vehicles will follow, with fit-out and finishing to take place at Volgren’s Brisbane base at Eagle Farm, as reported. Hess CEO Alex Naef says his company is honoured to be bringing world-class electric vehicles…
Telfords bus company – owned by Custom Bus Group’s managing director Scott Dunn – has been sold to the new Skybus entity Kinetic, it was announced recently, confirming months of industry rumours. Kinetic has expanded into Australasia’s largest mass transit market with the acquisition of Sydney-based bus and coach charter company Telford’s. Importantly, the historic and well-known Telford’s Brand will be retained on all existing and future vehicles in the fleet, Kinetic confirms. With a 46-year track record, Telford’s operates one of Sydney’s largest charter fleets with more than 100 buses and coaches, providing several charter services such as general charter, contracted corporate and school services and rail replacement services from two depots, it’s claimed. The acquisition of Telford’s continues the strong growth story for Kinetic following its acquisition of…
VICTORIA’s Macedon Ranges has a brand new and expanded bus depot, which is helping to provide more public transport options for locals, the State Government has announced. Minister for Public Transport The Hon. Melissa Horne joined Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas to officially open bus operator Dysons’ “bigger and better” bus depot in Kyneton, it states. The expanded bus network is supporting regional jobs at the new Dysons depot with 29 mechanics, drivers and office staff employed locally, it confirms. Horne said: “More bus services, across more days, and with better connections to trains and local destinations is making travel simpler for passengers working locally or commuting to Melbourne.” “Public transport has been employing locals in our region for decades and it’s exciting to see Dysons opening a new and…
A RESTRUCTURE of its operations is the aim for Canberra-based bus operator Deane Transport Services (DTS), whose board of directors placed the company into voluntary administration, it was announced recently. As outlined on its social media outlets, DTS made an official statement declaring that the company would be working with the administrator to ensure uninterrupted service. “Our Board and all our staff are committed to ensuring that our excellent reputation for quality service is not diminished and you will see no change to the way in which we continue to deliver market-leading service,” it said. NAME CONFUSION Fellow local Queanbeyan, NSW-based bus company Qcity Transit Pty Ltd was quick to pass on its condolences and best wishes for a favourable outcome, while stemming any confusion around its origin and name.…
