Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 404 i Australasian Bus & Coach

In 2021, we are proud to reflect on our 5 decades supporting the Bus & Coach Industry. This year, we also celebrate 11 consecutive years of market leadership, which has been facilitated by our solid product and service offering, enabling us to foster strong relationships with customers, dealers and partners across the country - establishing Volvo Bus Australia as a well-respected and trusted industry partner. We look forward to seeing these relationships continue with our electromobility efforts. Our S-Charge chassis has demonstrated great success and we are working hard on the development of the awaited BZL electric chassis, due for release in 2022. We are grateful to have been a part of the Bus & Coach Industry these past 50 years, and we look forward to remaining your trusted business…

LEADING QUEENSLAND bus supplier Bus Stop Sales and Service has kicked off its ‘Going Green’ commitment prior to new electric bus products launching later this year, installing more than 400 roof-mounted solar panels on its massive Brisbane-based headquarters, it announced recently. In its move to solar power generation, as Australia’s biggest bus sales facility (by size), the company turned on its significant rooftop 100kW solar PV system (in excess of 400 individual panels) this month. ‘Going Green’ also involved replacing power-guzzling metal halide high bay lights and fluorescent office ‘tubes’ with efficient LED solutions, which use only a fraction of the original wattage for the same lumen output, the company explains. Other energy-reduction initiatives, such as the installation of movement sensor lighting in low traffic areas and the commissioning of…

AUSTRALIAN EV manufacturing entity Nexport/True Green has acquired the services of electric bus and e-mobility transition expert Michel Van Maanen, Ebusco Europe’s joint chief commercial officer and chief operations officer (CCO/COO), the Nexport/True Green Group has announced. “We are bolstering our management ranks as part of our commitment to building a robust management team and one that’s capable of leading the Australian transition to zero-emission buses and depot upgrades,” said Luke Todd, CEO of True Green Group Mobility. “We’ve secured the employment of Michel Van Maanen, who is currently the COO of Ebusco Europe, and who’s been the driving force behind the Ebusco success in there,” Todd explained. “Michel has departed Ebusco and is joining Nexport as our chief executive officer,” he explained. Van Maanen’s Linkedin profile describes himself as…

BERLIN-BASED bus operator BVG has confirmed an order to add 198 ADL Enviro500 double-deckers to its fleet, to be delivered by the end of 2022, Alexander Dennis Limited announced recently. In ‘exercising options’, the order will take Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG)’s total fleet number of ADL Enviro500 double-decker to 200, the companies confirm. ADL will build these buses in its factories in the United Kingdom, it explains. ADL – a subsidiary of the North American New Flyer Industries Group Inc. (NFI) – delivered the first two Enviro500 double deckers to BVG in October, 2020, as part of a multi-year framework contract signed in 2018, it states. Following the successful completion of a testing programme with this initial pair of vehicles, BVG’s supervisory board “approved the conversion of options for another 198…

THE RAIL, TRAM AND BUS UNION (RTBU) NSW has called on the NSW government to tell the public whether the Sydney Eastern Suburbs buses will be dismantled [to] prop up the struggling light rail, as extremely low patronage figures released recently again called the project’s business case into question. “Commuters should not have their direct bus routes into the city cut short at their local tram stop just to inflate patronage figures and cover up the government’s own incompetence,” said RTBU NSW tram and bus division president Daniel Jaggers. “The government has already made a complete hatchet job of our bus network in the last year, blowing out journey times by axing direct bus routes into the city and forcing commuters to change services multiple times just to get around.…

With up to 87 per cent of content in Volgren e-buses being local, according to Australia’s largest bus manufacturer, the four zero-emission e-buses are rolled off the production line at Volgren in Dandenong, Victoria – which is “another milestone towards the development of a sustainable, long-term zero-emissions bus manufacturing industry in Australia”, the companies state. Transdev Australasia CEO Luke Agati says the decision to manufacture the buses locally was an acknowledgement of the skill and expertise of Australia’s local bus manufacturing sector. “Australia is on the cusp of an e-mobility revolution in public transport,” Agati said. “For Transdev, it is our global experience paired with local ingenuity that is driving our charge towards the introduction of new zero-emissions fleets across our networks. “We want to see more Australians travelling on…

With the bus and coach industry still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on public transport and tourism, it has been an opportunity for some to refresh their fleet and look at how vehicle efficiency and passenger service could be improved once these areas pick up again. Indeed, there are loads of parts and accessories suppliers everywhere, but reliability of supply and technical support is what sets the best of them apart from the rest. Seats, tyres, wiring, switches, doors, flooring, replacement panels and air-con makers all play a role in either supplying product new to OEMs or as crucial bits when things need to be fixed or replaced. Quality is paramount, as is turnaround time, and back-up service and an insightful understanding of what part is needed…

VOLVO’s forthcoming BZL electric bus chassis – due for release locally in 2022 – is eagerly anticipated to “revolutionise our product offering and electro-mobility efforts”, according to Volvo Bus Australia (VBA). The BZL project has been a thorough and rigorous undertaking, and is still currently under development for local conditions, at a time VBA celebrates 50 years of operating in Australia this year. “We are excited to further embark on our journey towards electro-mobility.” In marking its 50th anniversary, the Volvo Bus Australia team says it looks forward to the next 50 years as it continues to provide “ dedicated service and support to facilitate cleaner more efficient transport solutions”. “As we look to our next 50 years in Australia, we are excited to further embark on our journey towards…

FORGET ZERO-EMISSION buses, it was all about ‘people-powered’ buses at Transdev NSW’s Bankstown depot recently. Last year, local strongman Troy Conley-Magnusson [or maybe we should just call him Thor? – Ed] approached Transdev NSW with a challenge to pull two of its coaches as part of his ongoing fundraising efforts, Transdev explains. Once the logistics were sorted, Troy and the Transdev team set up the event on Monday, March 29, with Channel 9’s The Today Show on site all morning to capture the attempt on live TV. This is not Troy’s first strongman event with a long list of garbage trucks, ice-cream trucks and light aircraft on his resume, but it was the first time he had attempted to pull not one, but two, coaches, weighing a hefty 11,200kg each.…

RUSSIAN CAPTIAL city Moscow is to trial the first Russian-made electric articulated ‘bendy’ bus, offering even more spacious public transport for locals, according to the city’s Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development (DTRID). Kamaz, a Russian manufacturer of vehicles, trucks and engines, presented the Kamaz-6292, which was prepared for test operation at the Nefaz factory, a subsidiary of Kamaz. The bus accommodates 135 passengers and has 48 seats, the DTRID confirms. In future such vehicles will enter the busiest routes, it explains. The electric bendy bus is expected to go into serial production by the end of this year, it adds. “We are very proud to be pioneers in the development of electric buses,” Sergey Kogogin, Kamaz general director stated. “We have created the first electric bendy bus and…

IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET the Busworld event organising team has announced that the 2021 Busworld Europe show – which was to be held October 9–14 – has been cancelled for this year. According to an official statement issued Friday, March 19, at 11.19PM AEST, organisers state: “With pain in their heart Busworld decided to cancel Busworld Europe 2021. “For the Busworld Team, the event is more than just business, it’s a passion. When the customers are happy, Busworld is happy. Literally everything was done to avoid having to take this decision. “But reality cannot be changed. And reality at this moment is that Busworld cannot fully guarantee its exhibitors that the visitors will join the show in October in the usual numbers. “Because there is no way of predicting…

The drivers – John Dussi (50 years of service) and David Reeve (55 years of service) – based at Transdev’s Sunshine West depot, both began their careers on Victoria’s tram network before becoming bus drivers, Transdev confirms. Last year, they clocked up their respective milestones. However, Covid-19 restrictions delayed plans to celebrate the significant career achievements. According to the company, Dussi says that no matter where he goes in Melbourne he is recognised by former passengers. Transdev Melbourne managing director Ian Craig said: “Both John and David bring an incredible wealth of experience to our team and a strong commitment to serving the Victorian community. “For more than half a century, both men have helped thousands of Victorians get to where they need to go. “We are proud to have…

“An opportunity arose to build something I thought would make my life easier long-term and other bus operators’ lives easier long-term,” said Challenger Bus and Coach managing director Greg Sloan. “Rather than build a bus from the point of view of somebody that just wants to sell one, the Challenger is built from a point of view of somebody who uses one and works on one, and wants to make your life a lot less complicated with repairs. The whole process has been built around the point of view of a bus driver, a bus owner and a bus mechanic.” Today’s test drive of the V12 is encapsulated in these words from Sloan – a passionate bus man who will tell you “all he knows is buses”. This is a…

Hanover Displays has been designing and manufacturing passenger information systems for the public transport industry since 1985. Hanover has launched new smart Thin Film Transistor (TFT) products to meet the needs of an increasingly digitised public transport sector looking to offer passengers the best on-board experience possible, it says. With features including multiple displays, display sizes and resolutions, the new TFTs offer greater flexibility, attractive aesthetics and the reassurance of a two-year warranty as standard. Used in conjunction with Hanover’s passenger information system software, the new displays can use templates to split display areas up for different content types – such as passenger information, next stop and transfer updates and stop accessibility details – in both static and video format. They can also show real-time information, such as rail, airport,…

WITH FEW COMMUTERS wanting a bus service that annoyingly runs late or one that runs disturbingly early, the latest February 2021 Transport for NSW (TFNSW) on-time running key performance indicator (KPI) data has highlighted Transit Systems’ improvement – the operator placing first and equal second in Regions 3 and 6, respectfully. Scoring 97.5 per cent in Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts Region 3 and 97.2 per cent in Region 6 – the latter equalled only by Punchbowl Bus Company in Region 5 – the results mark solid betterment of Transit Systems’ bus service, particularly after receiving prior criticism for its efforts in its then relatively recently acquired Region 6 contract area. With Transit Systems achieving “its vision of operating a more reliable service in the Transport for NSW network”, securing…

FROM MARCH 29, 2021, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is to resume its public hearings into allegations of serious corrupt conduct in Victoria’s public transport sector, the organisation announced recently. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is Victoria’s agency responsible for preventing and exposing public sector corruption and police misconduct, it states. Its jurisdiction covers state and local government, police, parliament and the judiciary, it adds. The hearings are part of IBAC’s investigation – Operation Esperance – into allegations of serious corrupt conduct during the tendering, procurement and subsequent management of major contracts within V/Line and Metro. “The first round of public hearings for IBAC’s Operation Esperance investigation exposed a range of integrity issues, including around the processes and management of certain major contracts between V/Line, Metro and suppliers,”…

Speaking exclusively to ABC magazine, Zemtec CEO Frank Reardon confirmed the new electric bus will soon be in the NZ and Australian markets, that initial testing should begin next month and that ‘in service’ trials begin in June, 2021. “We believe we have selected the best suppliers to partner with [for] quality, support, and safety,” Reardon stated. According to the company, the ZF e-mobility-based bus – featuring a range of European, American and top-quality ancillary components – is able to “deliver high-quality, sustainable manufacturing efficiency” and that “Zemtec is leading the change to logical, efficient and environmentally sensitive commercial EV operation”. QUICK OVERVIEW With Zemtec based in Albany, New Zealand, the E-City e-bus is locally designed and built to excel in Australasian conditions, the company explains. “Most electric buses currently…

South Bank is Brisbane’s premier dining, lifestyle and cultural destination and the streets will be closed for this year’s South Bank Truck Festival in May. The locals are rolling out the red carpet in preparation for your arrival. And it is up to all of us to show the Brisbane community how much we appreciate their hospitality. So, the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) truck display will honour our connection with the community and tell stories of the different roles we play. HVIA will explain to them how proud it is of the industry’s innovation, skilful engineering and world-class local manufacturing. HVIA will be putting on some entertainment and hopes you will mix amongst the locals and let them experience the generous heart and soul that underpins every one of…

Between the hazes of coronavirus restrictions and nationwide lockdowns since early last year, a New Zealand-based small coach operator managed to pull off a pretty cool feat: the launch of NZ’s first electric coach. Mahu City Express showcased its first Yutong Tce12 coach at a special event at the Matakana Sculptureum, some 60km north of Auckland. Commuters are finding our services a much more appealing option than public transport. The event was attended by a small gathering including NZ transport minister Michael Wood, members of local iwi (tribe) Ngati Manuhiri, Mahu City Express founder and director Julian Ostling, and the team from JW Group – the company behind the import of the new coach. Warkworth-based Mahu City Express is a luxury express commuter bus service. Its core commuter service runs…

The decision whether to attend the 2021 Queensland Bus Industry Council’s annual conference and AGM – themed ‘Moving Forward Together’ and held April 9–10 at Sea World Resort, Gold Coast – immeasurably was tempered with a far greater chance it would be a resounding ‘no’ in the intense days, hours and minutes leading into the Easter holiday break, but thankfully for a battered and bruised local bus industry in parts, event organisers held it together to put on a fine show. Stress levels for the many involved all around would have been astronomical – and any collective chewed fingernails on the QBIC office’s floor was perhaps only a smidgeon of the evidence thus so. However, nerves of steel from organisers and probably the financial implications for all parties involved –…

Bus and coach delivery numbers ended at 87 in March, a slight dip on February’s 90, but enough to keep the 2021 monthly average in the 90s. While trending downwards, it’s worth reiterating the number is still well above the average of 78 seen in the past six months of 2020, in the aftermath of the height of Australia’s Covid waves. The pool of chassis makers this month is smaller than usual, but those involved did the heavy lifting, with five of six recording double digits. Volvo in particular had a strong month with 36 its highest tally since August, 2020. Mercedes-Benz and Scania followed on 14 each, while BCI and Yutong both recorded 10. Volgren led the way for the body builders, recording 26 deliveries, with a further nine…