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It was August 2015 when the Victorian government and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) released the seeds of its Road to Zero Campaign. Up until that point, it had gone with cheeky ads to grab drivers’ attention and scare them into safety, with slogans like: “If you drink and drive, you’re a bloody idiot.” But, in 2015, the government made a significant shift in thinking. Its goal was no longer just about reducing accidents. Much like companies put forward their BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) the government was saying its own ambitious goal would be a world where no lives are lost to road accidents – that even one life lost was unacceptable. Mentally, it’s hard to get your head around. Growing up, I have for years contextualised risk by…
BusNSW has announced that online registration is open for the Australasia Bus and Coach Expo to be held at Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park on October 5–6, 2022. BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld said that all attendees will be required to provide some basic details to be allowed entry to the Expo and this is best done online beforehand to ensure quick and convenient entry on the day. “There is free entry for visitors to the Expo, which is a big plus for all bus and coach industry participants, including operators and staff,” Threlkeld said. “Name badges for entry to the Dome and identification during the Expo will be generated at entry kiosks using a QR code from the online registration confirmation.” The event will include the Volvo Welcome…
THE ODIN PASS APP, developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and The University of Queensland (UQ) to explore mobility as a service (MaaS), has been expanded to include more University of Queensland students after its initial success. The Odin Pass app, which books travel on eight different transport modes from one app, has been offered to another 5,000 UQ students to accommodate demand. Odin pass director Dr Jake Whitehead said the early success of the Odin Pass trial led the project team to explore several options for ramping up trial participant numbers. “We’ve had really positive feedback on the app, which allows users to access bus, train, tram, ferry, e-scooter, e-bike, taxi and car sharing services through different fixed-priced bundles,” Whitehead said. “In the first six…
UK ELECTRIC VEHICLE fleet and battery storage specialist Zenob? has announced that it will make its entry into the New Zealand market, facilitated by investment from New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF). NZGIF is providing a NZ$20 million (A$18.08 million) finance facility to support Zenob? with the deployment of electric bus (e-bus) fleets under long-term lease agreements with major operators in New Zealand. A further NZ$30 million (A$27 million) is being held in reserve to support additional uptake, which NZGIF hopes sends a strong signal to the public transport sector that commercial, zero emission solutions will be more accessible. The deal is designed to smooth the transition from diesel to electric buses for operators, removing technological and financing risk through competitive pricing. NZGIF chief executive officer Craig Weise said he…
TRANSIT SYSTEMS bus drivers across the nation have pledged their names in the National Road Safety Week 2022 campaign, raising awareness of the 1,200 people who die on the road each year and the 44,000 who are injured. Traffic injury is the leading cause of death for Australian children under 15 and, with 3,000 buses on the road, Transit Systems is passionate about educating, training, reminding and applauding drivers for their dedication to safe driving, year-round. Chief operating officer Greg Balkin said that while National Road Safety Week highlighted the cause and championed awareness, he was proud of the company’s bus drivers for taking care every single day. “As public transport providers, we spend the majority of our time out on the road each day,” he said. “This week serves…
TWO STATE-OF-THE-ART bioethanol-fuelled buses have begun operating in Mackay as part of a 12-month trial run by TransLink and the Queensland Department of State Development. Piloted by TransLink delivery partner Mackay Transit Coaches from December 2021, the Scania-owned buses will run on bioethanol fuel produced from locally-grown sugarcane in Mackay. Bioethanol fuel is more environmentally friendly than the traditional diesel fuel used in many buses, with Scania research indicating that its bioethanol buses can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent. Larissa Rose from the industry association Biofuels Australia spoke to 7NEWS Mackay about the importance of these buses. “This is a perfect example of how the state of Queensland can exemplify the decarbonising of the transport sector,” Rose said. Construction of the two buses began last year…
