Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 398 i Australasian Bus & Coach

Welcome ladies and gentlemen, friends and relations, bus industry peers and casual ‘perusers’ alike to the 2020 annual Australasian Bus & Coach magazine Bus Search guide. An insightful introductory tool as either a quick reference or more in-depth précis for a range of bus and coach products and services in one convenient publication, such is its intent. Within these 116 pages we hope you find useful information on the latest and or enduringly benchmark-setting bus industry-shaping items in our chassis (pp. 12–37), bodies (pp. 38–47) and combined chassis and body sections (pp. 48–101) – all underwritten by an array of quality supplier products (pp. 104–116) such as air-conditioning units, bus and coach seating providers, passenger information systems and sundry other vehicle-enhancement offerings to hopefully make your Australasian bus business better.…

The first of a 15-bus MAN-chassis fleet to Queensland-based Surfside Buslines has started, with the Bustech and Volgren-bodied units due for service on the Gold Coast and in the NSW Tweed Shire, local distributor Penske Australia reports. According to the company, the 15 MAN LE 19.320 Euro 5 route buses are low entry and low floor ensuring, “…great accessibility along with unparalleled comfort for drivers and passengers.”. With the first unit delivered on 24 August, 2020, the remainder of the units are scheduled for delivery between now and the end of the year, the company explains. “MAN Truck & Bus and Penske Australia have a long-standing relationship with Surfside Buslines’.sister company SkyBus in Australia and New Zealand, so it’s fantastic to be able to extend our partnership to Surfside Buslines,…

Brand fans have long awaited news of when leading European e-bus tech might start to seep into Australasian market waters. Volvo’s massive Transperth supply order and CAT bus system is where this Swede will pounce first. We speak exclusively with Volvo Bus Australia’s David Mead about all things electric bus. Fabian Cotter reports “When we hit the roads of Perth we won’t be trialling the technology – we will be showing our electric offering in a commercial operation from day one!” said David Mead, vice president Volvo Buses Asia Pacific and acting general manager for Volvo Buses Australia. It will take a bit of time, but they will get here. Volvo’s bringing in some Australia-friendly electric bus tech matched to a suitable Volgren body and it will eventually be used…

In July, 2020, Bus 80 was relocated by the Queensland Omnibus & Coach Society (QOCS) members to the Queensland Transport Museum, where it will remain until July, 2021. “Having one of our heritage bus fleet on public display for the first time is an important milestone for our organisation, as we are actively working to establish our own museum in Brisbane, which will be known as the Brisbane Transport Museum,” said QOCS president Nick Wilson. “We currently have our eye on a World War II aircraft hangar at Eagle Farm, known as Hangar 7, which is owned by the Brisbane City Council and currently undergoing refurbishment for use as a museum. “We believe this is the ideal location to establish a transport museum, as it is a large undercover area…

Built from the point of view of a driver and business owner, Challenger Bus and Coach offers a new range of high-quality vehicles designed specifically for Australia’s demanding conditions. Challenger Bus and Coach evolved three years ago from a concept derived by a frustrated North Queensland bus operator. Inferior quality parts led to vehicles aging poorly, and the after-sales support received did not live up to expectations. Put simply; these buses were not holding up to Australia’s harsh conditions. Greg Sloan is a second-generation bus operator, has driven buses all over Australia, owned several regional bus operations in different states and has spent a lifetime working on all types of bus models. With his wealth of expertise, the opportunity arose to be involved in the creation of a bus specifically…

Every new generation Rosa will be protected by a comprehensive range of safety features, including advanced emergency braking, which can perform full emergency braking in the event of a potential collision. This advanced radar-based system can even detect – and begin braking for – pedestrians, Daimler’s Fuso Australia explains. A lane departure warning system is also standard, as is an electronic stability program, driver and passenger airbags, height-adjustable LED headlights, hill start assist and a reversing camera, it confirms. There are also three-point lap sash seatbelts and four exits. The new generation Rosa also features a transom window on the passenger side to further enhance its excellent visibility, Fuso adds. First seen by a global audience at the Tokyo Motor Show late 2019 in Japan, Fuso has made a range…

Granted it was under controlled conditions, but an Iveco-brand electric bus has travelled a massive 527km on one full charge, the company has announced. The Heuliez GX 337 Elec performed its record run on the Iveco Magirus test track in Ulm, Germany. The 527 kilometres result was achieved by the full electric bus on a single charge – almost twice the best autonomy performances in the industry, the company states – and was certified by TÜV Südwest, the leading European technical certification centre, Heuliez confirms. On the test track, the GX 337 Elec, “…delivered a performance without equal, demonstrating the exceptional efficiency and autonomy of the range with 527km driven over 12 hours on a single charge,” the company states. Rémy Foyer, directeur général délégué of the brand, said: “The record run of our…

Bus shows are wondrous things – for bus fans and punters in general alike, if you think about it. Not only do they allow the industry to get a glimpse into the future about what product is newly out or about to be, but also they let mainstream media ‘tease’ the public en masse with how buses are evolving in terms of look, sound and feel. Traditionally (and let’s be honest) the only ‘bus teasing’ to be had was for true ‘bus nuts’ and the ‘auto-motively perverted’ amongst us – so it’s ok to raise your hands here right now and not be ashamed of such a fact, if you are one. Yet, for the glut of the public transport-travelling public? Perhaps many just saw a bus as a bus…

Airbags Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian manufacturer and distributor of quality, internationally recognised air bags used in the suspension of buses, trucks and other applications. Located in Adelaide, Airbags Australia’s products are well recognised in the aftermarket air bags/suspension parts industry, it states. The company says it is committed to its products, competitive prices and reliable and responsive client service, and as a result it is the preferred supplier of air bags to the majority of the public transport authorities in Australia. Airbags Australia’s wide range of clients extends from large transport authorities to smaller fleet operators, it confirms. A System ISO 9001 endorsed company, it says that its air bags can reduce maintenance costs and come with a two-year warranty. PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN The company was established in Adelaide…

For decades, German company Isringhausen has supplied ISRI driver seats in original equipment quality that meet an array of vehicle manufacturer’s requirements and specifications, it says. Millions of drivers place their trust in the quality of ISRI products, the company says. ISRI seats are also available as an aftermarket option for various trucks, buses and coaches and earthmoving equipment. Isringhausen Pty Ltd provides sales, service and spare parts for ISRI seats to its Sydney customers, as well as providing these services to the Australian and New Zealand dealer network from its facility in Wetherill Park, Sydney. Isringhausen says that it is the global market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative seating systems for commercial vehicles, as well as technical springs. Fifty-two plants across 20 countries form the backbone…

It is irrefutable that 2020 has brought about impactful change to many people’s lives and the way we do business – be that good or bad – but it does not seem to have prevented the evolution of local and global bus product, which was well in motion before all this regardless. The decarbonisation agenda has been in play for a good few years now, driving rules and regulation changes in cities the world over. In terms of commercial vehicles in the Australasian region, the Euro 6 emissions standard is not mandatory yet – and arguably that may prove still some time off given our landmass spread versus population versus sheer CV count on the roads compared with other western nations – but that still hasn’t stopped high-end Euro 5…

NSW RURAL operator Buslines - covering various isolated and scattered depots and workshops across the state – has streamlined its essential service operations using its majority Volvo bus fleet via Volvo’s Connected Services, the company reports. Volvo Bus Australia - which is approaching its 50th anniversary of doing business in Australia in 2021 – has “proudly supported” Buslines over the past 19 years after Ray Andrich, Volvo Bus Australia’s regional sales manager, sold the operator its first B7R in 2001, Volvo Bus confirms. Volvo’s Connected Services has been at the forefront of these solutions and has been a guiding force in providing unparalleled diagnostic services remotely, with efficiency and accuracy, Volvo states. Buslines Group CEO Peter Ferris believes Volvo’s Connected Services has streamlined the essential service operations for its Volvo…

Today’s test drive of the electric Volgren Optimus on Chinese BYD DR9A 860 (K9) chassis is a first for Victoria’s public transport network – and it’s only fitting that the bus was built and put together in Melbourne. Transdev Australasia is the proud owner of this first Volgren-BYD electric bus (it’s based at Transdev’s North Fitzroy depot where a charging station has been installed) and it has partnered with the Victorian government to conduct these important trials. It began carrying passengers on Route 246 services between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill via St Kilda in December 2019. The trial will continue until January 2021, and will be reviewed to determine the potential to roll out fully electric buses across Victoria, the state government confirms. You can’t get more local than a…

Bus operations run in this family. The Oliveris are well-known in the Australian bus transit sector. The business was set up by Giovanni Oliveri and his brothers in the early 1950s. As the business expanded and families grew, they branched out in different directions within the transport sector. In 1992, Giovanni and his wife Caterina Oliveri’s five children separated from the other Oliveris to set their own businesses under the G&C Oliveri Group. Today, the five siblings – Joe Oliveri, Frank Oliveri, Carmel Faruggia, Domenica Sprock and Frances Oliveri – make up the board of directors Southern Cross Transit, as well as Sydney-based Interline Bus Service. The sole shareholder is their mother, Caterina. Frank is the managing director of Southern Cross Transit, while big brother Joe is the managing director…

Michael May now leads Iveco Trucks Australia and New Zealand as managing director after a leadership shift by parent company CNH Industrial. He joins Iveco after a 20-year career with Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific, where he was most recently Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus director. May succeed Bruce Healy, who held the position since 2018 and will now become brand leader of CNH’s farm machinery firm, New Holland Agriculture. “With a background in engineering and after-sales and having been dealer principal of two Melbourne-based Daimler truck dealerships, Mr May brings extensive leadership and industry expertise to Iveco,” the company notes. Healy was also previously a brand leader with Iveco sister brand Case IH and the move will take him back towards the farm machinery industry. “The last two years,…

Canberrans will soon have the opportunity to take a zero-emissions trip around the city with a new Yutong E12 electric bus joining the Transport Canberra fleet, the ACT Government has announced. The Government says it is doing its bit to reduce emissions in the ACT. Investing in electric public buses is another practical step in the Government’s long-term vision to have a more sustainable and environmentally friendly city for future Canberrans, it states. In 2020 the ACT will be the first jurisdiction outside of Europe to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity, it claims. As the ‘climate change capital of Australia’ it says it can “do more and our next goal is to achieve zero net emissions for the ACT by 2045”. As it invests in these new, sustainable technologies…

Fry’s Spares has had a few changes over the past few years, from broadening its product lines to sharpening up prices. Throughout, it has managed to give the same service with quality products and affordable parts for the past 44 years. “We have a new line of wiper blades that will fit every type of bus and vehicle that takes a 1,000mm wiper blade, at an amazing price, and further discounts for quantities is available,” said MD Mark Fry. Fry’s has had more quality suppliers coming on board, including Febi Bilstein, Borg and Beck (firstline), Bosch, Valeo and many more. It has had challenges like every family run business out there due to the current climate, but it remains steadfast in its commitment to service both the automotive and heavy…

The new range has latest generation surface-mount LEDs providing the best efficiency available, says Hanover; allowing for a much slimmer and lighter case design, enabling easier installation. This in turn also supports savings on fuel consumption, the company says. There is a reduction in the weight of the signs as the need for bulky power supply assemblies has been avoided. The G4 power supply is the most efficient and lowest profile power supply to date, it says – ensuring the signs are ultra thin and light, with a wide viewing angle for optimum legibility. Hanover says that it has put environmental sustainability at the heart of everything it does; from the way it designs its products to how it produces them. Mindful of the need to reduce fuel consumption and…

Originally founded as ‘John A Gilbert Pty Limited’ in 1926, Buslines now operates 380 vehicles, servicing a network of bus routes in major country towns throughout New South Wales, it states. The group transports more than 15 million customers annually and employs more than 540 staff, it confirms. Buslines is also committed to a philosophy of excellence, which has in turn been seen through every division of the company – especially when it comes to its fleet, it states. After making its first purchase from Volvo Bus in 2001 – five B7R buses – Volvo buses now make up more than half of Buslines’ fleet, with a total of 178 owned and operated by the company, Volvo confirms. The fleet boasts several Volvo B7R, B7RLE, B12BLE and B8RLE buses, it…

“Mercedes-Benz is excited that Southern Cross Transit has taken delivery of the O500 RS Irizar i6 3,700 school/charter bus, equipped with our proven OM457 Euro5 engine and GO240 eight-speed automated manual transmission, after being the first company to place.an order for this new model in Australia,” said Mercedes-Benz Buses (Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific Pty Ltd) senior manager Mehmet Karal. “We know they will benefit from the comfort and the economy of this fantastic product. Importantly, this vehicle also features the most advanced safety systems such as lane departure assistance, active emergency braking system, and electronic stability program (ESP) among others to make sure everyone gets home safely. “The O500 RS chassis is our best-selling coach chassis in the traditional bus markets, where Mercedes-Benz has been the undisputed market…

Only two months after a supply agreement was signed, the first of 33 Volvo chassis, Irizar-bodied coaches have been delivered to West Australian operator Go West Tours for its BHP Pilbara mining contract, it’s reported. The partnership between global bus and coach manufacturer Irizar and Volvo Bus Australia secured a contract to supply the 33 coaches for a major seven-year contract with BHP, to provide transport services for its Pilbara mining operations. The contract was signed by Go West Tours director David Houst and Irizar managing director, Asia Pacific region, Daniel Castro in Perth on November 22, 2019. The first batch of special-built vehicles made their way to Perth on January 15, only two months after the contract being signed, Irizar confirms. It is a quite remarkable lead time given…

Purchased for use from Ventura’s outer-urban depots, four of the vehicles will be based at the hilly and picturesque village of Monbulk on the edge of Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges, Scania confirms. The 57-seaters all feature powered wheelchair lifts above the rear wheels on the kerb-side, and a capacity for carrying two wheelchairs internally with the loss of four rows of seats on the left aisle, it explains. The seats, though, have been designed to be easily removed and stored at the depot while a bespoke wheelchair-lashing system has been designed and the chairs’ occupants are secured with three-point seat belts for additional safety, Scania explains. Although freshly commissioned, the Touring coaches.have been welcomed quickly into Ventura’s Monbulk fleet, it adds. LUGGAGE CAPACITY Long-serving driver Roy Beattie says the new Touring…

Bus and coach deliveries data shows huge year-on-year growth for the past financial year ending June 30, 2020, despite the latter months being impacted by the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The period ends with 1,520 deliveries (an average of about 127 per month), much higher than FY19’s 1,288, which was already more than 100 more than the year before. For the chassis sector, market leaders Volvo and Scania both increased their yearly tallies by around 100 each on the previous year. Positively, there were also triple-figure tallies for Mercedes-Benz, BCI and Yutong, while Australian Bus Corporation’s (ABC’s) Bustech brand more than doubled its year-on-year count. The body building market was busy due to recent consolidation in the sector. Volgren recorded near identical deliveries figures to last year, plus…

The demands placed on HVAC systems are more complex and differentiated than ever, and present a new challenge to manufacturers. Valeo places emphasis on the integration and interplay of innovative air conditioning components, including newly developed control software, especially for the strongly growing market for electronic drives. Valeo markets a full range of e-bus solutions in the HVAC sector for all climate zones, any bus size and market requirement, it states. REVO-E GLOBAL The REVO-E Global product family of electric roof units plays a leading role in electric-and hybrid-bus HVAC systems. Their modular design makes them adaptable to the full spectrum of customer needs, says Valeo. Special emphasis has been placed on keeping the weight of the structure light, extending the output range and simplifying installation, it explains. A heat-pump…