Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 388 i Australasian Bus & Coach

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…

AUSTRALIAN BUS entity Heavy Vehicles Australia Pty Ltd (HVA) – aka King Long Australia Pty Ltd – has closed. According to the company, after 12 years as the King Long distributor in Australia, HVA is no longer that distributor and, “… as a result have closed their doors for business, and all staff have been made redundant”. “The King Long Xiamen (China) factory is currently working to appoint a new distributor as soon as possible to enable the continued support of the King Long product and a further announcement will be made once a new distributor has been appointed. “In the meantime arrangements are being made with Multispares to supply King Long parts to the Australian market nationally.” CONTACT STATUS When ABC magazine tried contacting the Epping, Victoria-based HVA recently…

THREE-AXLE BUS limits have increased from 20 tonnes to 22 tonne, reflecting the increasing average weight of passengers, the National Heavy Vehicle regulator has officially confirmed. Previously, buses were able to operate in some states at 22 tonnes under permit. The NHVR, accordingly, has issued an information sheet to help bus and coach operators determine where their vehicle stands, in terms of weights permissible now and why the minor adjustment has come about. The document describes the recent amendment to the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the MDL Regulation), which introduces a new category of three-axle bus – an Eligible 3-axle bus – and provides those buses with a 22-tonne mass limit. The previous mass limit in the MDL Regulation for a 3- axle bus (with a…

Established in 2006 to recognise individuals for their outstanding contribution to the NSW bus and coach industry, the awards honour bus drivers who are the interface between operators and their customers, meaning the industry depends heavily on such drivers to provide the kind of service the travelling public expects and relies upon, says BusNSW. The awards – this year sponsored by Mobitec - were divided into three categories: Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Driver of the Year; Rural and Regional Driver of the Year; and Coach Driver of the Year. To be eligible for each award, nominees had to satisfy five criterions. They must: • Exhibit a positive and cooperative attitude towards their job; • Assist passengers and other staff members; • Have a high standard of personal presentation; • Always…

After a slight dip last month, bus and coach deliveries are finishing strong for the year, jumping back over the 120 mark in November. The final tally of 122 highlights the majority of industry’s resilience as 2019 draws to a close - though this section officially farewells HVA/King Long Australia for now after news of its local closure. Elsewhere in the chassis table, Volvo and Scania led the way again with the former consolidating its spot at the top with 52 for the month, up seven on October, while Scania remained the same on 39. No other chassis maker hit double figures. The body builders table returned to the usual order with Volgren increasing from 34 to 46 month-on-month. Bustech had a strong November and was involved in 23 deliveries,…

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…

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…

Have you ever watched how carbon composite products are made? Not only is it fascinating to o observe, but truth be told it is quite ttherapeutic, too. As the filament iis steadily wound or spun into sshape – like cotton thread criss-c crossed onto a spool – you could b be blissfully lost in watching the motion for ages, relaxed by the vvisual repetition and time-piece a accuracy of it all. Little wonder then that carbon c composite fibres are now essential tto the modern aerospace and a aviation industries, where such materials’ superior strength, ttolerance to heat and twisting fforces – and most notably lighter w weight – is key to performance a and longevity of many advanced a aircraft these days. Imagine, then, that tranquillity o of production…

It’s hard not to admire families like the Higginsons in our industry – companies that started from humble beginnings in the ’60s and continue to be a success story. In times where big business is becoming increasingly the norm, these types of family run operations keep us in touch with our industry history and today can still show us how it’s done. For this test drive we got to drive another golden oldie, a 1970 Bedford VAM70 that is entwined with the history of Moonee Valley Coaches, now run by Garry Higginson, the son of founder Ray Higginson. BEDFORD ON BOARD Moonee Valley Bus Lines was formed in 1966 by Ray and a partner Joe Bellafiori. “In 1970, dad bought his first brand new bus, which is the Bedford Freighter,…

This a ‘best of both worlds’ Scania vehicle. It’s a truck that’s a bus and owner Paul Pincini is over the moon about how it performs, he says. Pincini and his wife, Liz, say their business, Platinum Journeys – part of Merimbula Coach Tours – is definitely lifestyle-based and, no, we aren’t talking exclusively about the lifestyle of the small groups of lucky travellers who get to go along on their treks; we’re talking about their own! The couple freely admits to having a passion for the job, especially for being on the open highway and ploughing through the rugged wilderness of the ‘Great Southern Land’. And it’s no wonder Pincini loves the touring lifestyle; it’s in his blood! Both his father and grandfather made a career out of covering…

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…

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.…

ABC: G’day, Darren. Since the AMA Group takeover of Wales Bus & Truck Repairs, how have things been settling in for you in your new role? DW: Fantastic! We have a great team around us with a passion for the heavy motor industry and repair industry. I can’t speak highly enough of the dedication and commitment that our guys (and girls) have shown in the transition stage. I have been in the industry for over 30 years and I think that I have learnt more in the past six months from our people than I have in many years. The workload is intense, but I am enjoying it. ABC: What has been the response from your trucking and bus clients to the takeover and expansion plans? “...an ASX-listed public company,…

Expected by many to be the complete opposite weather-wise to the blissfully balmy conditions of last year’s joint BIC/ BCANZ gathering in Cairns – even with it being in late Spring – this year’s Bus Industry Confederation National Conference in Canberra, held November 17–20, surprisingly turned on the warmth that matched the welcoming spirit of the locals to all those who attended. Kicking off with a Volvo-sponsored Welcome Drinks in a vineyard, themed ‘Moving People – A National Priority’ the conference offered a high-quality plenary and social program to the Australian bus industry, underwritten by the “generosity and commitment from our BIC members and sponsors,” according to BIC organisers. All told, 41 organisations worked with the Bus Industry Confederation in 2019 to “elevate the delegate experience at the national conference”,…

Now that we are in December, 2019, it is a good time to reflect on the year that has passed. With many public transport and infrastructure projects underway in Australia, it has been a very busy year at Camira, particularly due to its fabrics complying with the increasing fire and safety ratings; its stock service; diversity of products; and its capability in terms of quantity, timing and compliance. Camira also never takes for granted the support it receives from across the industry. Throughout the year Camira has been busy introducing new products and ranges. Earlier in the year the ‘Orient’ range, which is a polyester moquette range, was re-released – reinvigorated with new shades and patterns. Suited for school, charter and an option for refurbishment, the additions have been well…