Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 416 i Australasian Bus & Coach

VOLGREN WILL USE a grant from the Victorian state government to develop its first Australian designed and built commercial-grade hydrogen fuel cell electric bus. The grant is a part of the state government’s Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund. The two vehicles will be built locally in Dandenong, providing valuable insights on the performance and commercialisation of hydrogen buses in Victoria. Volgren expects to finalise a prototype for demonstration and on-road testing by the middle of next year and negotiations to find a suitable chassis original equipment manufacturer are currently underway. Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro said the project is an exciting opportunity to introduce hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in Victoria and develop local expertise in clean energy utilisation. “Volgren has always been at the vanguard of adopting new technologies. We’ve…

THE REAL-TIME tracking of over 200 buses in Albury, Tamworth and Greater Nowra is making bus travel easier for commuters, who can now track their bus’ location live. Transport for NSW has announced that real-time tracking technology has been installed on 100 buses in Albany, over 75 buses in Tamworth and 70 buses in Greater Nowra. Using NSW’s Trip Planner or other transport apps, passengers can now access digital timetables as real-time trip information on their phone to track their bus and reduce time spent waiting at bus stops. This project has been rolled out as part of the NSW government’s initiative to improve regional public transport and tracking is already in place on routes in Armidale, Bathurst, Bega, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Forbes/Parkes, Grafton, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Tweed Heads and…

Working in the bus industry poses a number of challenges. One of those downfalls – that every operator hates to experience – is abuse and assaults on drivers. Sadly, most operators will face abuse at some point in their career. A recent survey from the Rail, Tram & Bus Union of 100 metro Tasmania bus drivers found that seven in 10 drivers have been threatened on the job, and an astounding 98 per cent had been verbally abused. Fortunately, while personal manners may not be improving, technology is. While companies can’t plant a manager in every bus to witness abuse, they can turn to companies such as Parts Supply Solutions to install CCTV systems and cameras to better protect drivers. “It is almost compulsory on most vehicles now,” said Grant…

Looking to reduce your fuel costs, equip your drivers with the latest technology and safety, and increase the number of passengers you can transport? With the recent launch of the new Volvo BZL Electric in Australia, there’s never been a better time to update your fleet, while knowing that you’ll have the support from Australia’s number one Volvo Bus dealer, CMV Truck & Bus. “For over 50 years Volvo Bus has supplied the Australian bus industry with quality vehicles and the BZL is the next generation of quality from Volvo,” said CMV Truck & Bus Volvo Bus sales manager Anthony Fisicaro. “Plus, when you buy a BZL, like any Volvo Bus, you don’t just get a bus you also get the full support of the most experienced and dedicated bus…

Deliveries dropped back down to 82 for March after February’s 97, marking its lowest monthly total for 2022, but not far behind March 2021’s total of 87. In the chassis sector, Volvo and Yutong were joint first with 18 in March. Following behind with 11 was Scania, up one on its February total, with Mercedes-Benz taking third place with nine. BCI dropped from February’s total of 18 to deliver seven in March, while Hino recorded six – its best result since December 2021. The remaining 26 deliveries were supplied by seven other original equipment manufacturers. In the body-building sector, Yutong was back on top in March with 18. This was one ahead of second place Irizar, with 17, which was its best result since April 2020. Volgren fell to third…

MAN’s RR8 chassis is now available in Australia with the new Marcopolo Audace 1050 body. Powered by MAN’s latest generation D15 Euro 6 engine, this new chassis and body combination delivers a high-quality product at a cost-effective price with great versatility, making it ideal for coach, school and intercity applications, it states. Customers will also benefit from Marcopolo’s ownership of local bodybuilder Volgren and its extensive national support network. Crinel Geaboc, head of MAN bus and coach at Penske Australia, is excited for the partnership to continue. “It’s fantastic to extend our existing partnership with Volgren to now include one of the world’s largest bus body manufacturers – Marcopolo,” Geaboc said. “MAN’s new 330hp [246kW] nine-litre D15 engine boasts the latest diesel technology and sits between the existing D08 and…

THE QUEENSLAND government has announced that all new urban buses will need to be fitted with safety barriers to better protect drivers. After a recent round table on how to better improve safety for bus drivers from aggressive passengers, barriers will now be installed on new buses in Queensland. Queensland’s Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said that these barriers will help to protect drivers from impolite behaviour, personal abuse, verbal aggression and physical violence. “Safety of drivers is paramount, and mandatory driver barriers on new urban buses consolidates a best practice approach and supports improved safety standards across the fleet,” Bailey said. “It’s important that introducing this mandate still provides individual bus operators with the flexibility to implement a solution that is best suited to their network.” Bus…

The recent announcement from the Australian government that advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) for 3.5 tonne and up buses will become a standard requirement on heavy vehicles has been welcomed by Daimler Trucks Australia. Daimler Truck and Bus has been stocking Mercedes, Freightliner and Fuso vehicles since the 1970s and currently stocks Mercedes and Fuso buses in Australia. AEBS and electronic stability control (ESC) systems must be installed from November 1, 2023 for all new models of heavy vehicles. They must be installed in new buses already in circulation by November 1, 2024, and in new goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from February 1, 2025. “Daimler Truck and bus has long identified the major benefits of active safety features for our customers and the wider community and led the industry…

The objective of any bus operator of an electric bus fleet is simple: ensure vehicles are sufficiently charged for their next planned route while minimising the electricity bill. The objective is simple, but the challenge is not. As the number of electric buses increases, overnight charging infrastructure for hundreds of vehicles will become a common feature of our cities. Simply putting charging points in place, however, will not suffice. The situation is vastly more complex: many vehicles enter and leave a typical bus depot at different times and have varying energy requirements. In addition, the electricity rates usually change according to the time of day, there might be power constraints due to an insufficient grid connection, and different types of chargers might have to be considered. To master this level…

Using the same component parts that your Volvo was originally made from, Volvo treats availability, reliability and durability as its most important priorities, to ensure safer, more fuel-efficient and profitable operations for its customers. Genuine Volvo Parts are engineered specifically for their unique function in the chassis, are certified to the highest standards and extensively tested in operating conditions. Buying genuine parts also means you can be assured you are purchasing the latest options that use the most up-to-date technology. A Genuine Volvo Part has exactly the same kind of quality as the original part fitted when the bus was built and is specifically developed to deliver long product life with full warranty – minimising trouble and ensuring maximum uptime. Not to mention, before Genuine Parts make their way to…

With six months to go until the Australasia Bus and Coach Expo 2022, BusNSW has had strong exhibitor interest and registrations. The event will be held at Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park on October 5–6, 2022. BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld said there are only a handful of vehicle display stands and a small number of booths still available. “This will be an event like no other with the move to zero emission vehicles, and key decision makers will have an opportunity to see and evaluate battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses at the one location,” Threlkeld said. “We are expecting the display areas and booths to be sold out, so we strongly encourage any industry suppliers who are thinking of exhibiting to register very soon. “The BusNSW…

THE NEW SOUTH WALES, Victoria and Queensland state governments have announced a landmark tri-state collaboration on a renewable hydrogen refuelling network for heavy transport and logistics along Australia’s eastern seaboard. The refuelling will start with $20 million support from the NSW and Victorian governments to build at least four renewable hydrogen refuelling stations between Sydney and Melbourne. Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) CEO Dr Fiona Simon said the announcement was an exciting moment for AHC. “The collaboration between these three states will facilitate the uptake and use of hydrogen as a fuel for heavy transport along the Eastern highways,” she said. “This delivers the next phase of the three governments’ hydrogen strategies and is a terrific example of the cross-jurisdictional efforts we need to see to grow the industry for Australia.…

THE QUEENSLAND government released its Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022–2032 and the first Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022–2024 in March to transition bus fleets in the state to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). This strategy is accelerating Queensland toward a cleaner, greener transport future while making sure its energy network can support ZEVs. The state government plans to shift to zero net emissions by 2050. The Queensland government has announced a range of targets including that every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet will be a zero-emission bus from 2025 in south east Queensland and from 2025–2030 across regional Queensland. The Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy is a whole of Queensland government strategy developed in partnership with the Department of Energy and Public Works. The strategy aligns with the…

NEW RESEARCH from the United Kingdom shows that most people support measures that give buses greater priority on roads. The research shows that three times as many people support bus priority as oppose it. Of those who expressed an opinion, 79 per cent of the public support the introduction of measures such as bus lanes and bus-only roads, with businesses showing the same level of support. However, despite high levels of support for bus priority, local authorities can find it challenging to introduce such measures as they can face opposition. To help councils, UK bus industry membership organisation the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has produced a set of toolkits that include recommendations based on research with both the general public and business owners on how to best communicate the…

LATROBE VALLEY Bus Lines (LVBL) has been operating eight Volvo B5L S-Charge buses since 2018 across its Victorian operations and, with the buses entering their fifth year of use, LVBL says they have been an asset to the fleet. LVBL was Volvo Bus Australia’s (VBA) first customer to purchase a hybrid fleet in August 2018 and has since been leading the way with this sustainable technology. “A focus towards sustainability and reduced emissions has been a priority for LVBL since 2015,” said LVBL general manager Anna Tyben. “In an Australian first, we were supported by Volvo and the Department of Transport to trial a MYKI-equipped Volvo Hybrid Euro 6 route service bus. We received positive feedback from our passengers and drivers throughout the trial. Feedback included how quiet and smooth…

The recent fuel price increase has lumped on even more misery to the cost of living for Australian citizens. While recent federal budget announcements have provided some temporary relief, the Tasmanian state government has taken matters into its own hands by announcing earlier this year that it would make bus fares free for five weeks. But is this move as beneficial as it sounds? Tasmania’s state government and metro service think so. One week into the initiative, statistics from the office of Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson suggested that people are taking advantage of the five-week free ride, with a passenger increase of 13 per cent, or 4,300 passengers a day, state-wide. “It is an early, yet clear, demonstration that our plan for free buses to help…

Party lines were drawn at the Australian Public Transport Industrial Association (APTIA) national summit held on Wednesday, March 23, as politicians joined industry experts to debate the future of bus driver employment laws. The virtual summit was well attended, with speakers looking towards the approaching federal election and the impacts it could have on the industry. Coming in from the right, Assistant Minister to the Attorney General, Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations and Assistant Minister for Women Senator Amanda Stoker represented the Liberal National Party, and a stance on the importance of workplace flexibility. Stoker began by speaking of concerns that workers in the industry had a lack of choice when it comes to casual or contracted work. “Up until Covid, the proportion of the workforce who had been casual…