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It’s that time of year again for the bus and coach industry. It feels like exciting new models and thrilling developments in technology are happening more often as 2022 passes the halfway mark. There’s a feeling of excitement bubbling under the surface with everyone I speak to in the industry. The first in-person Bus & Coach Expo to be held since before COVID-19 first disrupted the sector is only months away, rapidly looming larger on the horizon, and people can’t be more ready for it. As official media partners for the BusNSW Expo, our Showguide is jam-packed with the early mail on what exhibitors are planning to unveil in October, starting on page 43. This month’s latest releases and news stories sum up the busy time of year we’ve found…
THREE MAJOR PLAYERS in Australian public transport are exploring the possibility of a partnership to build zero-emission buses in Western Sydney. ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC), which runs public bus and charter services in several regional and metropolitan locations across the country, has announced plans to join forces with Volvo Bus Australia and Volgren to explore the establishment of a manufacturing facility at CDC’s wholly-owned St Marys depot in Western Sydney to build battery-electric buses. The proposed facility has the potential to help to increase the supply of locally-manufactured zero-emission buses for all bus operators, supporting the New South Wales government’s plan to transition the state’s entire bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2047, and to help achieve federal net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan would also bring benefits to a…
A FLEET OF VINTAGE Brisbane City Council buses have recently re-entered public service in Brisbane for the first time in several decades. During the weekend of July 9 and 10, a number of restored Brisbane City Council buses owned by the Queensland Omnibus and Coach Society (QOCS) operated the first-ever Heritage Loop service in the Brisbane CBD. The service operated free to the public on the existing Brisbane City Council ‘City Loop’ routes 40 and 50. All journeys started and ended at King George Square outside City Hall on a 15-minute frequency between the hours of 10.00am and 2.00pm. QOCS says the inaugural service proved very popular with a total of 651 people carried across 48 trips. Having identified a gap in the city’s transport network on weekends as well…
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN government has announced Transdev as the successful recipient of a tender to continue operating its Transperth Fremantle and Rockingham-Mandurah bus services. The public transport operator has run the services since 1996, with the new $1.3 billion contracts coming into effect from October 2 this year. The 10-year contracts will ensure more permanent, full-time employment is made available to bus drivers. The news follows Transdev’s recent wins of Transdev John Holland NSW Region Nine bus contract incorporating Sydney’s CBD to the eastern beaches, Brisbane’s eastern suburban bus contract extension and the successful New Zealand launch of the Airport Express in Wellington. Transdev Australasia chief executive Luke Agati says the 10-year renewal was recognition of the continued great work of the local WA team and serves as further evidence…
PRISON BUS A well-known player from America’s National Football League (NFL) has recently found a unique way to spend his off-season. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew is getting out of his comfort zone before the next NFL season kicks off on September 9, spending the summer living in a renovated inmate transport vehicle that he bought and customised. With candles, records and a lava lamp on board, it’s certainly unique preparation. FREE FARES Bus commuters from the American city of Denver, Colorado will now be able to hop on a bus or train for free for the entire month of August. Transport agencies across the city are offering free bus fares for commuters for the whole month as part of its Zero Fare Better Air initiative. The incentive follows on…
OPERATOR TRANSIT SYSTEMS is continuing to grow Australia’s largest electric bus fleet, adding another 19 battery electric vehicles to the New South Wales fleet. The addition happens as Transit Systems edges closer to the completion of its world-first charging infrastructure facility at its Leichhardt depot. While Transit continues to operate in Sydney’s inner west, the 19 extra battery electric (BEV) buses will bring its Australian electric fleet up from 39 to 58 buses. Transit Systems has worked with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) as well as key industry partners including Zenobe and Transgrid, to deliver the largest fleet and depot electrification in Australia. The 19 new battery electric buses include 10 368kW Nexport buses and nine 422kW Yutong buses. Within the coming weeks, the Leichhardt depot supporting infrastructure will be fully…
