Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 410 i Australasian Bus & Coach

NSW IS SET TO attract more than $80 billion of investment, drive deep decarbonisation and establish itself as an energy and economic superpower with the launch of the NSW Hydrogen Strategy. Premier Dominic Perrottet says that, as NSW worked through post-lockdown recovery, hydrogen was an opportunity to drive new investment and help secure jobs right across the state. “Australia has an opportunity to be an energy superpower; New South Wales will lead the country with this hydrogen strategy,” Premier Perrottet said. “Our major trading partners see hydrogen as part of their energy future; this state has the skills, infrastructure and renewable energy resources to compete globally in this new industry.” Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole says hydrogen is a huge opportunity for regional NSW. “We know…

DUE MID-2022, global North American commercial vehicle giant Allison will supply its H 40 EP electric hybrid propulsion system for integration into 30 metro buses via manufacturer ElDorado National’s (ENC) San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Municipal Railway (Muni) contract win, it was announced recently. Indianapolis, USA-based Allison – a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions and the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles and transit buses – has delivered more than 9,000 electric hybrid propulsion systems serving 230 cities in 43 US states, it confirms. These systems have accumulated more than 2.9 billion miles, saving more than 340 million gallons of fuel, and preventing 3.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, it explains.…

SCANIA AUSTRALIA’S bus finance department is reminding its customers to seek the company’s flexible support, tailored solutions and open communication avenues, if needed, during pandemic-induced difficult times. According to the company, in supporting bus and coach customers in good times and bad, Scania Finance Australia took immediate action at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to help sustain its customers hard-hit by lockdowns and the dearth of inbound tourism. Living up to the company’s core value of putting the customer first, Scania Finance demonstrated exactly what it means to have a financial business partner who is supportive in those good times and bad, it explains. Scania Finance Australia’s commercial finance manager Craig McFadyen says during the past 18 months the business has supported around 25 bus customers by rescheduling payments…

ON SATURDAY, September 25 2021, Brisbane City Council (BCC) officially unveiled the naming of ‘Watt Park’ after one of Australia’s oldest bus families. The ceremony was attended by more than 70 people, including local Brisbane City councillor Fiona Cunningham, chair of Council’s Finance and City Governance committee; councillor Ryan Murphy, chair of Council’s Public and Active Transit committee; Barrie Watt, managing director of Watt’s Bus and Coach Works; and Nick Wilson, president of the Queensland Omnibus and Coach Society (QOCS). BCC named Watt Park after the Watt family because they have been in business for almost a century and owned and occupied this particular property at 5 Wellington Road for 66 years, organisers explain. HISTORY LESSON During 1923, John Watt – a master blacksmith and carriage builder – relocated from…

Arange of Australasian bus operators of varying sizes – from very large fleets, such as Brisbane City Council, to many smaller, family run urban fleets in New South Wales and Queensland - have now taken part, with many more keen to experience battery-electric bus technology in their own environments, the company confirms. In surpassing its e-bus distance milestone of 500,000km in Australia, Yutong highlights that this has provided an enormous amount of useful data to operators, state transport departments and, of course, to the Yutong R&D team, which has been verified by the operators themselves using the comprehensive on-board ‘Vehicle+’ telematics system that comes standard with each E12 vehicle. TENDER OPTION According to the national sales manager for Yutong in Australia, Warren Young, it is not only the savings in…

It is indeed a curious thing. Over time, the quality and longevity of a service, and the effectiveness and performance of a product or program, engenders the ‘prime creator’ brand loyalty. This is, understandably, usually lauded and promoted by the recipient company – as it should be – but can it be a curse? Where it might seem brand loyalty already does a lot of the work for a company - where ‘half the battle is already won’ in terms of attracting new business or ensuring a new product’s successful adaptation and integration into a relevant market - perhaps it also brings unexpected pressure to perform? Could that pressure, even if self-appointed, skew a product’s development and launch and ‘tarnishingly’ temper its potential? After all, you yourself have raised the…

While ZF brings tailored solutions, excellent quality parts and first-class services to both the automotive and non-automotive markets – including industries like agriculture, construction, rail, marine and wind power – perhaps that comprehensive expertise is aiding its market-leading advances for buses by giving it ‘big picture’ knowledge and vision? With global sales of over €32 billion (AUD$50.4 billion) in the 2020 fiscal year, ZF Group employs more than 150,000 associates at approximately 270 locations in 42 countries – making it one of biggest global technology companies in the world. Speaking with two of its local representatives revealed an insightful glimpse into how the big German company sees buses and public transport and how it aims each day to shape its future. ABC: Hello Gary and Shane. Thanks for joining us.…

SKYBUS OPERATOR Kinetic will introduce no fewer than 36 fully-electric buses to the Melbourne metro network by mid-2025, following its AUD$2.3 billion ‘franchise’ win. As part of the Victorian state government’s aim to transition its massive bus fleet to low-to-zero emissions – pledging specifically, “…all new public transport buses to be zero emissions from 2025” – Melbourne-based Kinetic will operate a third of the metropolitan bus network from January 31, 2022, to June, 2031, the government confirms. Kinetic, which runs Skybus and local bus routes across Australasia – a slew of key operations now, in fact – will introduce the 36 fully electric buses to the network by mid-2025, including five by June next year. More than half of the franchise fleet – 341 of the 537 buses – will…

WELCOMING the federal government’s announcement in September of extra grants and the expansion of its shortlist for a national network of clean hydrogen hubs, Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) CEO Dr Fiona Simon said the extra AUD$150 million in funding underlines the government is, “… serious about investing in Australia’s hydrogen future. “Committing grant funding of $464m to support feasibility studies and construction is another important step forward,” Simon said. Simon said the decision to increase the number of hubs from five to seven is good news for jobs and getting the industry to scale, as hubs drive collaboration and shared benefit. AHC represents the Australian hydrogen industry, it states. Members include: Air Liquide, Aluminium Revolutionary Chassis Company, Ampol, ANT Energy Solutions, ANZ Banking Group, APA Group, Arup, Arthur Phillips Pty…

IN A STRONG message of confidence in its Eagle Farm bus-manufacturing outlet, Volgren HQ has confirmed plans to invest in its Queensland operations, which is due to produce its first locally-made electric bus early next year, the company has announced. Backing its workers and local manufacturing in Queensland, Australia’s largest bus body builder will continue building a range of bus bodies in the state. This follows a period of uncertainty after Volgren delivered its final bus to Brisbane City Council in June this year, concluding an agreement that had lasted 12 years and incorporated almost 900 vehicles. Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro says the company’s investment in its Queensland operation would secure the future of 45 valued staff members and a local supply chain involving 20 local businesses. “Volgren has spent…

FOLLOWING the recent launch of its new BZL electric chassis, Volvo Bus Australia (VBA) pledges its commitment to ensuring the “sustainable management of electric vehicle batteries” throughout their lifecycles, the company confirmed. VBA general manager Mitch Peden detailed the company’s commitment to deploying a long-term electric vehicle battery sustainability strategy throughout the battery lifecycle to ensure a cleaner future for Australian transport. “The launch of our Volvo BZL electric chassis really emphasises Volvo Bus and the wider Volvo Group’s dedication to delivering quality, safe and environmentally friendly transport solutions to our customers,” Peden explained. “Our commitment to deploying a sustainable and circular electric vehicle battery management strategy will further deliver on these values. “While it is an exciting time to be in the electro-mobility space, it is important for the…

THE “PROVEN” Quantron 12-metre low-floor city bus can be ordered as early as the end of 2021 in battery-electric variant, and as a fuel-cell electric vehicle from European spring, 2022, it states. “Our 12-metre bus will be also available as right-hand drive (RHD), so yes, we will also accept orders from Down Under,” replied Quantron spokesperson Volker Seitz, when ABC magazine asked if there was any chance its new e-bus would ever made it to Australian shores – regulations permitted. “We will publish more details in November,” he added, which will include revealing the official name of the new bus. “Our batteries are from the world-wide-leading and largest manufacturer, CATL [China]; by the way, CATL also supplies Daimler and other leading OEMs [original equipment manufacturers].” When asked what scope there…

Announced at a time many new and established global original equipment manufacturers are showing keen interest to bring in tailored electric bus product into Australia, the low-floor zero-emissions Mercedes-Benz electric city bus chassis will be available here in the last quarter of next year, MB confirms. The Mercedes-Benz electric city bus chassis is suitable for locally made bus bodies up to 13.2 metres in length, it clarifies. The electric bus chassis development was led by and recently revealed by Mercedes-Benz in Brazil, where it will be built for the Latin America, Europe and Oceania markets, it says. With the electric motor integrated into the rear axle, the electric chassis is equipped with an EBS electronic braking and energy recovery system, MB explains. Prototype buses using the new electric chassis are…

VBA HAS PLEDGED its commitment to ensuring the, “…sustainable management of electric vehicle batteries” throughout their lifecycles. “Our circular business cycle and this cooperation is truly a major step in the right direction and is part of our long-term strategy,” Peden stated. He recently detailed the company’s commitment to deploying a long-term electric vehicle battery sustainability strategy throughout the battery lifecycle to ensure a cleaner future for Australian transport. “The launch of our Volvo BZL electric chassis really emphasises Volvo Bus and the wider Volvo Group’s dedication to delivering quality, safe and environmentally friendly transport solutions to our customers,” he explained. “Our commitment to deploying a sustainable and circular electric vehicle battery management strategy will further deliver on these values. “While it is an exciting time to be in the…

As a bus enthusiast, we’re sure you all have a bus that you wish was parked in your garage. It’s hard not to be impressed by the ever-changing features and abilities of our modern bus and coaches today and we are constantly blown away. However, if we had to choose a dream bus, it would always be the classic oldies that get the most attention. There’s something about the excessive details and dynamic shapes of the past that bus lovers can’t help but be drawn to. Today’s drive of a 1958 Ansair Flxible Clipper is a bus that anyone would find it hard not to want the keys to in their pocket. It’s truly a real head-turner, a step back in time and a credit to its owner Darrell Booth,…

THE BELATED 2022 Australasia Bus and Coach Expo will be held October 5-6 next year in The Dome and Halls at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, organisers have announced. BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld says the association was excited to announce the new dates for 2022 after postponing the 2021 Expo due to Covid and the lockdown in Sydney. “We anticipate that there will be a strong focus on battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses.” “The dates have been chosen following the consideration of school holidays, venue availability and the industry events in 2022,” Threlkeld said. “We believe the 12-month delay gives us the best opportunity to host a world-class exhibition and optimise attendance.” The Covid-safe event will involve displays covering more than 13,000 square metres, all under the one…

FOLLOWING a whirlwind week of dramatic changes in NSW state Liberal Party politics, Planning Minister Rob Stokes has been announced as the new Minister for Transport, according to new NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. After Stokes’s challenge for the party leadership in a ballot at NSW Parliament House – where Perrottet defeated him with 39–5 votes – the new Premier of NSW says Stokes was happy to take on the Transport portfolio, confirming he thought he would be ideal for the job given his 10 years of ministerial experience. “When I called him this morning, he was very happy to take it on and I think balancing both planning, transport, and infrastructure makes perfect sense,” Premier Perrottet informed reporters at the announcement on October 6. According to independent national newswire AAP,…

SCANIA AUSTRALIA is offering 20 Australians a unique career path that can take them directly from school or another occupation into fulfilling long-term employment at its company-owned workshops around the country, it has announced. A Scania four-year apprenticeship to become a qualified heavy truck and or bus technician, or a dual apprenticeship adding in auto electrics, is undertaken in concert with TAFE, and students can fast-track their learning to complete in a shorter time-period if they wish, the company explains. Scania offers apprentices many benefits including 30 per cent more pay than the Award rate, plus access to the company employee bonus scheme, it confirms. There is also on-the-job mentoring to ensure the training is progressing smoothly and to iron out any issues, Scania says. ADVANCED TECH “Potential candidates with…

IN A MOVE that “strengthens the quality of services it can deliver in regional Australia”, ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) has purchased NSW school-bus operator KA & VK Stubbs Pty Ltd for use in the Narrabri region. The purchased assets comprise five buses and a Rural and Regional Bus Service Contract of three school routes in Narrabri. From October, 2021, CDC combined these with its existing operations – bringing the fleet to a total of 21 buses in the Narrabri, approximately 475km west of Coffs Harbour – and Wee Waa areas, it confirmed. ComfortDelGro Australia’s Regional Australia Division CEO Tony Hopkins said he is pleased to be increasing CDC’s service commitment to the region. “Since we entered the Australian market in 2005, we have shown our dedication to linking people, places…

DUTCH E-BUS manufacturer Ebusco has received the coveted biennial Automotive Innovation Award for its Ebusco 3.0 electric bus because of, “…its significant contribution to sustainable and affordable public transport,” award adjudicators in Europe confirmed, recently. At an official presentation ceremony held at the Louwman Museum in The Hague, The Netherlands, on Monday September 20, the Ebusco team was delighted to accept the award for all the hard work that went into it. Ebusco CEO Peter Bijvelds proudly attributes this great recognition to the entire Ebusco team, stating: “Together we have worked incredibly hard in recent years to develop this lightweight composite-body electric bus.” “This award rewards the passion and dedication of all my colleagues, and demonstrates our commitment to continuous innovation, ’’ Bijvelds stated. The Ebusco 3.0 is a revolutionary…

TO say 2021 for the bus industry – amongst so many others – has proven extremely difficult would be a foolishly gross understatement, with the mental and financial toll on staff being particularly tough this year. As we emerge from lockdowns in different states and head towards Christmas, the usual festive cheer for many is tempered by stressful feelings of insurmountable bills to pay, perhaps a reluctance to physically go to the shops, and overall a need to save as much as possible and make every dollar stretch that little bit further. Indeed, those bus operators who are looking to help their valued staff members in as many ways as possible – with employee retention crucial as life looks to get itself somewhat back on track (or as best it…

AS ELECTRO-MOBILITY evolves, and in particular for buses and its use in such a public environment, cyber security and safety of its information systems is right on the cutting edge of the field’s evolution. To that end Volvo Buses says it invests in ongoing cyber and data security for the new Volvo BZL chassis. With data security becoming increasingly paramount, Volvo Buses is making digital protection and cyber security a key priority across its chassis range, especially with the newly-launched BZL chassis, in ensuring an ongoing investment in data security measures to increase the protection of customer information and to prevent cyber-attacks. Whilst electric buses will be integral to the future of public transport across Australia, Volvo Buses understands the importance for the industry to be prepared for the risks…

The first quarter of the 2021-22 financial year ended a slow one for Australian bus and coach deliveries, with September numbers dropping to 56. It maintained the downward trend after two months in the 60s, with the pandemic impacts continuing to bite. The situation was highlighted in the chassis sector with Scania leading the monthly tally on 14, below the highs of previous years. Volvo followed on 11, which also represented a recent low for the Swede. It was better news for MAN, though, breaking through to double figures – its highest monthly tally since January. Volgren retained its lead in the body building sector, recording 21 deliveries. No other name hit double figures, though BCI saw an improvement to nine deliveries after a combined three in the previous two…