Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 420 i Australasian Bus & Coach

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…

THE ACT GOVERNMENT is ramping up recruitment for more bus drivers as part of planning to increase the frequency of public transport services, whilst grappling with continuing COVID-19 workforce impacts. “COVID-19 is having a significant impact on public transport networks across the world, with reliability and service levels under pressure, as we continue to see more staff taking sick leave and carers leave,” ACT transport minister Chris Steel says. “We want to strengthen public transport service frequency but to do that reliably during the pandemic we need to grow a bigger and more flexible workforce. “If you’ve ever considered becoming a bus driver and helping Canberrans get where they need to go, Transport Canberra wants to hear from you.” The current interim timetable has been in place since August 2021.…

The bus industry has seen a wealth of change since Laurie ‘Pop’ Dyson returned from serving in World War II and began a bus company. Seventy years down the track, the Dyson family is still going strong, with Dyson Group recently celebrating a special anniversary. After emigrating from England to Australia, Laurie Dyson bought a bus business from his recently-passed former boss. Dysons began operating as a company in 1952 with four buses. Now, 1,200 employees and roughly 650 buses carry the Dyson name. Many of them converged upon Thornbury Theatre in June to mark the milestone. “Most of the time Dysons has been good fun,” joint managing director Neil Dyson told ABC magazine. “We’re all a little older and wiser for the fantastic journey we’ve been on, particularly since…

Yutong has emerged as a global presence for bus and coach manufacturing since beginning as a bus repair factory in 1963. The overseas-based company has now reached another milestone, as it reaches 10 years of operating in Australia this year. The anniversary started on July 1, with Yutong tracking down its first-ever bus sold in Australia. Now the celebrations continue as Yutong looks to further cement its spot in the Australian bus and coach manufacturing market. “We’re extremely proud that we’ve been in the market here for 10 years,” Yutong Vehicle Dealers International (VDI) general manager Australia Lou Riccardi told ABC. “From the early beginnings to where we are now, as one of the top suppliers in Australia, it’s a great recognition of the quality and integrity of the product.”…

It was yet again a case of the Australian market delivering triple figures in buses, but July saw another spike. After both May and June saw 102 units delivered across Australia, July saw 120 buses sent across the country to kick off the new financial year with a bang. In the chassis sector, Volvo stole the show, following up its 39 deliveries in June with another 27 in July. Yutong rose to steal second place off Scania, recording 22 deliveries, while Scania wasn’t far behind with 21. Bus & Coach International (BCI) stayed around the mark, increasing its June sales by three to record 18 deliveries, while Mercedes-Benz completed the top five with 10. King Long (6) and Hino (4) weren’t too far behind, while BYD and MAN both registered…

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…

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…

Earlier this year, the team at Volvo Bus were brainstorming ways to best celebrate NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week. Volvo Bus has been heavily focused on Volvo Group Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) that encompasses brands such as Volvo Trucks and Buses, Mack Trucks and UD Trucks, and wanted to do something special to respect Australia’s Traditional Custodians. To continue working to educate the bus community on Indigenous Australian history and recognise the traditional owners, Volvo Bus was interested in finding its own way of paying its respects during NAIDOC Week. Then it had a masterpiece of an idea. “For the week we wanted to do something interesting to showcase to our staff and partners that we are looking to take a prominent role in celebrating…

Pioneering manufacturing technology in the sustainable bus and coach sphere isn’t new for BLK Auto. In 2021, the bus builder partnered with Hyzon to introduce Australia’s first hydrogen fuel-cell coach into service. Now BLK Auto is further expanding its zero-emission product offering through a new deal with local body builders to veer away from a completely built up (CBU) bus that BLK traditionally specialises in. Instead, BLK Auto will supply a battery electric chassis with CATL batteries and a hydrogen fuel-cell chassis for the bus industry while continuing to offer its current CBU diesel products. It’s a step in a different direction for BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic. “With the coach fuel cell chassis, we’re working with the Toyota fuel-cell in development with Refire Technology.,” Pecotic told ABC. “We’re…

For years, Canada’s Calgary Transit has been searching for ways to make the ride to work better. With its latest trial, it may have just struck the right chord. On July 6, the Alberta-based transit agency introduced a karaoke bus. The vehicle, which was parked at Brentwood Station, allowed customers to hop on board and take to the stage to belt out some of their favourite songs. Calgary Transit communications and information lead Stephen Tauro says the initiative provided a reward for many Calgary citizens who had struggled over the past couple of years. “Coming off two hard years during the pandemic, our ridership suffered a bit,” Tauro told ABC. “Customers went away from our services because they were working from home. “We thought we’d have a little bit of…

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…

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…

A longside reinvigorated manufacturer King Long, Bus Stop Sales has introduced a historic new sustainable coach to the Australian market. In an Australian first, the zero-emission coach known as the EVolution high floor is the country’s first 100 per cent electric high floor coach that is fully compliant and available now. For Bus Stop Sales’ dealer principal Pete White, it’s been a long time coming. “Bus Stop Sales has now put significant resources into the first moving for this new energy electric coach,” White told ABC magazine. “We are currently the sole 100 Electric high floor supplier in the market and have dedicated a general manager position that’s focused on new energy in order to to help support operators as they transition from diesel to new energy solutions. “As part…

While some companies are arriving late to the party when it comes to electric vehicle charging, JET Charge can safely say it was one of the first to arrive. Unlike some other players in the market that are adding electric vehicle (EV) charging expertise to an existing business, JET Charge has focused solely on EV charging infrastructure since its inception nine years ago. “Our CEO, Tim Washington, bought a Tesla shortly after its release in Australia,” JET Charge bus sector manager Alex Bowler told ABC magazine. “He was one of the first orders. When he wanted a charger installed in his garage, he couldn’t find anyone to do it and couldn’t figure out the hardware. “He was at a crossroads in his career and began a business in electric vehicle…

MEGATRANS 24–26 AUGUST 2022 MELBOURNE Check out what’s taking place in the general world of transport and logistics at the 2022 Megatrans events taking place this August. Occupying the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Building, Megatrans is Australia’s largest integrated conference and exhibition dedicated to the logistics industry. While the focus is on logistics, the event can provide some insights into advances for the transport industry, as Megatrans will showcase the latest in artificial intelligence, robotics, telematics and route optimisation, intelligent fleet systems and advanced analytics. It will take place alongside Bulk2022, which will similarly offer insights into the logistics and multimodal freight sector. Megatrans.com.au AUSTRALASIA BUS & COACH EXPO 2022 5–6 OCTOBER 2022 SYDNEY Australasian Bus & Coach magazine is proud to be the Official Media Partner for the 2022…