ABC is the leading bus and coach publication in Australia, providing operators with vital information and market intelligence to help them keep their BUSiness moving. ABC is the major source of vehicle and equipment classifieds for the industry.
Much like many industries in the 21st century, the rise of technology in the bus and coach sector has been rapid. Having grown up in this era and seen the way mobile phones have changed from flip-phone models to the latest iPhone that harness so much power from a pocket, it comes as little surprise that the industry has followed the trend of rapid technological development. Yet there’s an extra layer of excitement that comes with seeing just how far the Australian market has excelled. While the ascension to the latest fuel technologies occurred, parts and technology companies have been working behind the scenes to produce new models for many parts of a vehicle that are as equally mind-blowing as the newest electric or hydrogen fuel-cell bus. This month’s feature…
Kelsian Group has continued its WA expansion through its latest acquisition. Australian multi-modal transport operator Kelsian Group has announced it will acquire Horizons West Bus and Coachlines (Horizons West). Established in 1985, Horizons West, with its highly visible brand, is well recognised in the Perth metro area for bus hire and coach charter services provided to the education sector. The Horizons West business specialises in serving schools, universities and government with approximately 157 employees operating a bus fleet of 138 buses from two depots. Horizons West currently operates 21 contracts for the WA government and provides services to a university and more than 400 schools. Kelsian Group CEO Clint Feuerherdt says Horizons West provides Kelsian with a platform to grow in the large and fragmented education transport market and will…
CDC has welcomed a milestone into Australia’s largest hybrid bus fleet, courtesy of Volvo Bus Australia and Volgren. Operator ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) says it is delivering on its promise to reduce carbon emissions by announcing the arrival of its 50th hybrid bus in Australia. The vehicle joins Australia’s largest hybrid bus fleet run by subsidiary CDC Victoria in partnership with the Department of Transport to celebrate a special Victorian public transport milestone. Following the 2019 introduction of the Volvo B5L S-Charge hybrid bus to CDC Victoria, Volvo Bus Australia, in partnership with Volgren Australia, handed over the hybrid as part of its supply agreement. The historic Australian fleet operates on Melbourne streets, delivering reductions in emissions, noise and fuel consumption while improving the passenger experience. All 50 of the…
In a major change, Euro VI emissions will become standard within the next two years. The federal government will introduce tighter noxious emissions standards for new trucks and buses, saving lives while preventing toxic air pollution and providing significant environmental and economic benefits for communities. The new standards, known as Euro VI, will be phased in over 12 months from November 1, 2024. The federal government’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics estimates introducing Euro VI will save the Australian community $6.4 billion over 25 years from fewer premature deaths and chronic illnesses. Euro VI standards are already in place in the European Union and United Kingdom, and equivalent standards also apply in most developed countries, including the United States, Japan. China and India. Introducing Euro VI will mean…
Siemens Australia says it is working with Applied EV to continue work on autonomous vehicle systems. Australian technology company Applied EV, who specialise in digital control systems for autonomous vehicles, is utilising Siemens’ high-tech industrial software systems to support the design, quality assurance and build of its next generation autonomous vehicles. Siemens’ cloud-based Teamcenter® X software for product lifecycle management (PLM), was recently made available in Australia on Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) regional servers and is a trusted tool for Applied EV’s design and product quality workflows to help decrease costs and reduce time-to-market. The announcement follows Applied EV’s recent success testing a self-driving cabinless commercial vehicle on European streets. Julian Broadbent, co-founder and CEO of Applied EV, says collaborating with global technology giant Siemens is strategic to progressing the…
The new subsidiary of BLK Auto has announced its truck range will begin production. BLK Auto has released the unveiling of its new subsidiary HDrive, which will now begin entering the hydrogen fuel cell truck market through a new range in production. The trucks will be produced after passing a design and engineering period. HDrive says it has already taken several orders for its HFCV trucks, including for a dual control side lifter waste truck and a 6x4 prime mover recently purchased by fuel provider Pure Hydrogen for use by their clients. HDrive’s HFCV trucks have been designed and engineered in Australia, using high-quality components sourced from its trusted network of suppliers to develop the company’s fuel cell and other market-leading technology. In a joint venture, HDrive trucks will initially…
