Australasian Bus & Coach 399 November 2020 by Prime Group

ABC

AUSTRALASIAN BUS & COACH

BUSLINK NT CDC SUBSIDIARY COMMITS $660K+ TO IMPROVE SAFETY NZ ADL E-BUSES EAST AUCKLAND ISLAND DELIVERY + KIWI BUS RENEWAL BRISBANE COUNCIL NATURAL-GAS BUS FADE-OUT ISSUE 399 Nov 2020 $5.95 inc GST

CRÈME CARAMEL GOING TO SCHOOL HAS NEVER BEEN SO COOL

in focus: tfnsw panel 3 operator: near or far, nsw deliveries: slip slightly

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THE BOYS ARE BACK! BIGGER AND BETTER

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Saturdays 4.30pm!

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contents ISSUE 399 NOVEMBER 2020

08 in the know

20. column | BIC

6. editorial | ignition Editor Cotter talks movies, elections, buses and hotspots. And hopes there is no movie coming about them all. ‘Cause it happens.

Michael Apps discusses creating opportunities in a not-so Covid normal.

8. news | the front line We’ve gathered up all the key, hardhitting Australasian and international bus and coach news for you, to keep you in the loop.

ILLAWARRA TO SEE FIRST ‘PANEL 3’ BUSES

PATH TO REOPENING

in focus 28. In focus | tfnsw panel 3 buses

A family owned and operated bus company in the coastal NSW Illawarra

region will soon be running the first Transport for NSW (TfNSW) ‘Panel 3’-compliant buses from Volvo and Volgren, which needed new fire-retardant materials and fire-suppression systems to meet the latest ‘Crib 7’ standard. 32. In focus | canberra bus rally

‘MUM AND DAD’ BUS BUSINESSES STAGE CANBERRA RALLY A 15-strong convoy of family owned ‘mum and dad’ bus companies from across Australia made its way to rally outside Parliament House, Canberra, on October 26, to highlight the economic pressures these small businesses are under. 36. In focus | transdev electric bus

FULLY ‘SUSTAINABLY POWERED’ E-BUS FOR SEQ

36 4

Transdev Queensland will launch a 100 per cent ‘sustainably powered’ full-sized electric bus for South East Queensland early 2021, charged at a fully solar-powered bus depot in Brisbane, the company reports.

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EDITORIAL

Editor: Fabian Cotter ph: 0451 194 600 e-mail: Fabian.Cotter@aremedia.com.au Technical Writer: Paul Aldridge Contributors: Michael Apps, Anjali Behl

PRODUCTION

Art Director: Bea Barthelson Sub-Editor: Cat Fitzpatrick

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www.magshop.com.au e-mail: magshop@magshop.com.au ph: 1300 461 528 between 8am – 6pm (EST) Mon – Fri mail: Magshop, GPO Box 5252, Sydney, NSW, 2001 Annual subscription rates (12 issues): Australia: $89* NZ: $A100.05 Overseas: $A122.50 (Australian air-mail only) *price includes GST

EXECUTIVE GROUP

40. In focus | melbourne protest bus

MELBOURNE OPERATOR TAKES PROTEST BUS TO THE STREETS Victorian border closure uncertainty – affecting a charter bus business’s ability to reliably plan and honour tour bookings – plus Melbourne’s recent strict metro lockdown restrictions forced one local family owned and run bus operator to visibly protest his plight and put more than half of his bus fleet up for auction to help pay a spiralling multi-million dollar debt. 42. coverstory | hino

SOMETHING SPECIAL With its delicious retro look underwritten by modern bus performance and appeal, this very first Hino RN8J chassis on a Custom Adventurer-body ‘school bus’ is something the kids will love and hate to have to leave after each journey. Fabian Cotter writes. 48. operator | near or far

WHEREVER YOU ARE Husband and wife duo Rod and Justine Williams are doing their best to weather the current storm that has hit the bus industry so hard. Despite their four-year-old business being

Our business can and will survive this turmoil!

Are Media Automotive CEO: Andrew Beecher GM – Industry: Graham Gardiner Group Finance Manager: Cain Murphy Commercial Director: Matt Rice Digital Director: Tim Kennington Operations Manager: Regina Fellner People & Culture Manager: Nicola Ramsay

PUBLISHED BY

severely affected by the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, they remain upbeat and are using the time to refurbish their fleet. Anjali Behl spoke to them recently.

departments 54. bus marketplace | classifieds

FOR SALE! There’s hundreds of great vehicles and services listed here from some of the leading bus and coach companies on the planet. Have a look around and see what you might find in there! 60. factory facts | bus deliveries

MONTHLY RESULTS We know you love them and so we have the latest bus and coach supplier sales data collected and recorded for you to sink your teeth into. To know who is who and who’s done what simply check it out!

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ISSN 1324-8634 Member: Circulations Audit Board

Circulation 3,502

CIRCULATIONS AUDIT BOARD

(CAB Audit, September 2019)

Largest circulating bus and coach magazine in Australasia CIRCULATIONS AUDIT BOARD

DISTRIBUTION Distribution within Australia and New Zealand and beyond by paid subscription to the owners and managers of: • route buses • government bus operations • school buses • extended and day tour operations • express coaches • country and charter operations • bus and coach manufacturers • equipment suppliers • tourism attractions • railways management Notice: All material published in this magazine is published in good faith and every care is taken to accurately relay information provided to us. Readers are advised by the publishers to ensure that all necessary devices and precautions are installed and safe working procedures adopted before the use of any equipment found or purchased through the information we provide. Further all performance criteria was provided by the representative company concerned and any dispute should be referred to them. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holder.

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IGNITION

FABIAN COTTER

Get off my Planet! Now! Pandemic movies already, US politics, state borders, Covid hotspots and worse – packed fast-food ‘drive-thrus’. Someone, please help!

riday night behind a 10-car long take-way food drive-thru queue. “Get off my planet! Now!” So frustrating... If 2020 were an avalanche then right about now many of us would calling out for help and hoping the nearest rescue St Bernard was on its way ASAP – with that little neck barrel in tow. Nice one, Fido! Interestingly, the internet points out – so take it with a grain of salt; question everything, I say – the ‘most famous’ St Bernard was called Barry and he saved between 40 and 100 ‘hooman’ lives during his Italian-Swiss Alps rescuing stint. Go Barry! What a legend. In fact, apparently many of these dogs back in the day weren’t trained and dogs just learned from other dogs, each generation, how to rescue people. How good is that?! I tell you, if any of these dogs went into politics they’d kill it! Talk about ‘doggy bagging’ the popular vote come election time for intelligence and commonsense. Speaking of which, it’s been pretty hard not to get into the all-permeating recent US election – even for those of us hard pressed to watch TV these days at the best of times. ‘Are we there yet?’ Apparently not – either way. Allegations of vote rigging and/or bad ballots or such continue and it looks like there’s more of this to come. It seems recounts have happened before in US history (who knew?) and I saw something about how the US Constitution was actually set up to deal with such scenarios to maintain integrity – and so it should - and this involves court cases and either party’s leaders not conceding etc., so that things take its course. Hmm... Fascinating stuff. Thankfully, there’s some new light-hearted movies coming out to distract us from the news for a bit – though one called Songbird set a few years from now seems to be about another virus and people getting ripped out of their homes and stuck into what looks like concentration camps or such. Umm… No thanks! Making a buck off current times’ vibes doesn’t sound right to me, so skipping that one for sure. Borat’s next one, though, looks worth a look.

BORDERS OPENING? At the time of print, and according to the NSW state government website, it will “… 6

re-open the border to Victoria at 12:01am on Monday 23 November.” Great news! Ja? Though everyone is obsessed with ‘cases’, and with recent days of low to no cases in Victoria and NSW as well, this sounds on track, one would think and hope. And as border closures massively affect the tour/ charter side of the bus business, well … we watch and wait with baited breath. ‘Hey, Barry! How’s that brandy coming along?’ ;) I get press releases from various governments either lifting classifications of ‘hotspots’ or enforcing, so hoping geographic areas don’t endure needless ‘demonising’, meaning discrimination of people and affecting property prices in the long run maybe.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? Not Pandora’s make-up or Medusa’s curlers fortunately, but something all the more pertinent to buses and coaches and public transport overall in this, Issue 399, of ABC. Firstly, kicking things off exclusively on the front cover this month is the very retro-cool Hino-Custom Adventurer school bus – which is now part of Turnbull’s Bus Service in rural Victoria. This is the first time the new Adventurer is

definitely be following up on this for all. Also, ADL has delivered some e-buses to Auckland Transport east of the city on Waiheke Island and it’s also renewed its partnership with Kiwi Bus Builders. Brisbane City Council has announced it will phase out its use of natural-gas buses, which is interesting given the technology has been advancing elsewhere around the world, so maybe that’s something we can look at more in future. As for operators, given the current feel of things, we visited Far Or Wide Bus and Coach in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Many of you have now heard of owner Rod Williams and his company’s pandemic plight, along with loads of others, who orchestrated ‘demonstration rallies’ both in NSW and then in Canberra to highlight the impact of the pandemic on so many family and independent bus companies. To get to know the man and his people a bit more and how they got to this stage, read on from page 48. Also in the mix we focus on Dion’s Bus Service and its acquisition of the first TfNSW ‘Panel 3’-compliant bus – and the latest fire-mitigation measures it needed. Plus we check out Transdev’s fully solar-powered

“...with any good gut-churning, vomit-inducing roller-coaster ride, what goes up must come down, as they say, right? Right???” on a Hino RN8J chassis and it certainly got attention from members of the bus-loving public as it made its way south to its new home. A combination that’s usable for school bus, mining spec, or for a charter/ coach feel, there may well be more of this mix to come. Read more starting page 42. In news developments, an evolving situation (was going to say ‘case’, but that’s now triggering all sorts of ‘Pavlov’s dog’ fear responses these days) sees CDC’s Buslink NT needing to invest AUD$660K+ into bus safety after a 2017 tragedy. Again, massive condolences to the family, so hoping the safety learnings from this may well save other drivers in future, from a national perspective via the campaign. We’ll

depot and e-bus charging plan in South-East Queensland, and much more. October deliveries? Yep, a slight dip again, but with any good gut-churning, vomit-inducing roller-coaster ride, what goes up must come down, as they say – and back again, right? Right??? Check it out from page 60. And with that, here we are. This time next month we will – God willing – be about to celebrate Christmas 2020, so hopefully whatever other nightmare that might be coming is polite enough to just back off for a bit until the new year kicks in. Not like right at midnight, ok, but say … well, a week or two later would be nice. Or not at all. ;) Until the next thrilling instalment…

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The future of zeroemission transport The E12 Full Electric Zero Emission Yutong is the world’s largest bus manufacturer – combining technology, design and reliability to deliver consistent quality and longevity in mind – to provide a transport experience you can trust. The face of future public transport is the E12 Fully Electric Urban Bus – 100% compliant with the strictest of zero-emission standards to deliver a smooth, safe ride between every stop. The ultra-low floor design and fold-out wheelchair ramp ensures easy access for all passengers while built-in Yutong technologies protect against water, fire and shock hazards. The future – coming to a street near you.

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yu to ng. co m. a u

drive comfort at every turn. Each vehicle is built with safety and

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NEWS

BUSWAYS’ ADELAIDE METRO SUCCESS NSW-BASED bus operator Busways has successfully transitioned its new Adelaide Metro workforce, using a ‘digital employee engagement’ app strategy to help overcome the challenges of the current pandemic, it explains. By using a clever ‘social media’ technology, Busways adapted its interstate approach to move smoothly into its new Adelaide Metro contract’s two depots and welcome 215 new employees to the existing Busways 1,500+ workforce. The company was selected by the South Australian government on March 11, 2020 to begin operating services for the Adelaide Outer South contract on July 5; the only new market entrant appointed in two tranches of bus contract tenders, it explains. After 77 years of service in New South Wales it was the company’s first interstate expansion and made Busways’ Australia’s largest privately owned bus operator, it confirms. Throw state border closures and physical distancing rules into the mix and Busways had to get creative about employee engagement to achieve a successful workforce transition, it says. Managing director Byron Rowe explains that Busways’ primary focus 8

to uplift quality in service delivery depended on engaging the existing workforce to support and prepare them to embrace change. “Over the past few months, we have fundamentally been changing almost every operational aspect and process, which is ultimately resulting in a fleet that is cleaner, quieter and more reliable,” Rowe said. “Change is not easy, but employees that are more engaged, better trained and kept informed about what the company is doing deal with the transitioning process much better. “It’s important to me that every Busways employee has opportunities to discuss, challenge and ask questions about Busways and what we’re currently working towards. “Communication is something we are continuously finding better ways to do,” Rowe added.

MANAGING COMMUNICATIONS The rollout in early 2020 of a new employee communication app to Busways’ NSW workforce was spearheaded by Busways head of marketing and communications Donna Frith. “It has always been a challenge to easily reach our frontline drivers, mechanics, cleaners and yard staff

Above: “Change is not easy, but employees that are more engaged, better trained and kept informed about what the company is doing deal with the transitioning process much better,” said Rowe (pictured right). Below: Employee using Blink.

who make up about 90 per cent of our team overall,” Frith stated. “We needed an app built specifically for remote workers and we found that in Blink, which works for mobile and desktop and mimics the usability of other social media platforms, meaning the user learning curve was minimal,” she added. The new platform proved instrumental in managing communications for the interstate transition, according to Busways. The company had four months to engage, recruit and ‘onboard’ the incumbent Adelaide workforce before commencing operations, it says.

“Over the past few months, we have fundamentally been changing almost every operational aspect and process.”

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INTERSTATE INTERACTION With the Covid-19 border closures, only half of the Busways transition team was able to get to Adelaide to manage face-to-face meetings, depot and fleet inspections, and training. Original plans for depot-based transition offices were changed to accommodate physical distancing; instead an off-site transition office with expansive space was established, Busways explains. The team provided an on-the-ground presence to manage critical activities and pared-back one-on-one consultations, but most engagement with transferring employees had to be done remotely, it says. “We had to pivot our engagement approach to concentrate on regular, meaningful and personal content via the app. We committed to a daily posting schedule, and while that was managed by our communications team, our transition and leadership team members actively participated in posting their own content and engaging in the comments so relationships could be built early,” Frith said. All employees who registered to transfer their employment signed up for a user account and 99 per cent accessed the app weekly throughout the transition period, Busways confirms. Utilisation has remained high at 97 per cent of users accessing the app at least fortnightly since transition, it says.

E-BUSES PART OF QLD ELECTION COMMITMENT Ahead of the recent Queensland state elections, the Labor government announced a $23 billion investment to “supercharge roads, public transport and jobs”, with electric buses a key feature of the plan. The announcement would see the Gold Coast and Logan areas set to become “the home of electric buses with a re-elected Palaszczuk government to supercharge the industry by building and trialling the technology in the growing region”, it stated. Transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey says Gold Coast and Logan commuters would enjoy “a first-hand glimpse of the future” with the government to partner with local companies Bustech, Kinetic (Surfside Buslines) and Clarks (Clarks Logan City Bus Service), it confirms. “We’ve built light rail, we’re rolling out the longest electric vehicle superhighway in the world, and from next year locals will build and ride electric buses that will be able to travel up to 300km from a single charge,” minister Bailey said.

DRIVING FORCE Member for Waterford, minister for employment and small business, and minister for training and skills development Shannon Fentiman says 10 electric buses will be built on the Gold Coast and rolled out across Logan. “Before Covid-19 hit, our community was a driving force behind two record

years of public transport use,” minister Fentiman said. “As part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, the Palaszczuk government is extending the busway in Logan thanks to the $749 million M1 upgrade through to Daisy Hill, and very soon we’ll see electric buses on our streets.” Labor’s candidate for Currumbin Kaylee Campradt says on the Gold Coast electric buses would be used for the very first time on the 777 bus route between Broadbeach and the airport. “We know buses play an important role in connecting our community, alongside the coast’s popular light rail and heavy rail,” candidate Campradt said. “With this very important first step it’ll mean that by 2030 every new bus being rolled out across Queensland will be a zero-emissions bus, which is great news for our environment too. “We’re building more than $4 billion in roads and transport for the region supporting more than 3,000 jobs, and with the electric bus market continually evolving, I think we’ll potentially see our community become the home of advanced vehicle manufacturing in Australia.” Above: (L-R) Kinetic GM of SEQ Matt Campbell, Labor candidate for Burleigh Wayne Bartholomew, Labor candidate for Currumbin Kaylee Campradt, Surfside Buslines depot manager Allyson Robinson and minister for transport and main roads Mark Bailey.

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NEWS

BUSLINK NT COMMITS $660K TO IMPROVE SAFETY NORTHERN TERRITORY WorkSafe has accepted a $660K ‘enforceable undertaking’ from Buslink NT Pty Ltd over the tragic death of a bus driver, who was fatally injured as a result of a bus rollaway incident in 2017. NT WorkSafe alleged that despite numerous safety reports in the Australian bus industry highlighting the dangers of bus rollaway incidents and a Buslink bus being involved in a similar near miss days earlier, Buslink NT failed to implement adequate control measures. NT WorkSafe further alleges this failure not only exposed the worker to the risk of death or serious illness, but also had the potential of placing the health and safety of their passengers and nearby pedestrians at risk, it states. Buslink NT was charged with six offences under Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 for failing in its duty to protect its drivers, passengers and the community from the risk of rollaway incidents, NT WorkSafe confirms. The six charges have been withdrawn, but NT WorkSafe can commence proceedings if Buslink NT fails to comply 10

with the terms of the undertaking, it explains.

NEEDS TO BE DONE The activities in the enforceable undertaking to benefit the work health and safety of the workers, industry and the community are: • installing MobilEye collision avoidance systems in all 327 buses across Buslink’s Northern Territory and Queensland fleets • producing and distributing an instructional video on rollaway bus prevention for bus operators and drivers across Australia • working with a partner organisation to deliver a Northern Territory road safety campaign targeting distracted driving.

SAFETY BENEFITS The Northern Territory’s work health and safety regulator Bill Esteves says the NT WorkSafe investigation found no evidence of ‘reckless conduct’ (Work Health and Safety [National Uniform Legislation] Act 2011 – Division 5, Offences and penalties, section 31 Reckless conduct – Category 1), which would have precluded the proposed undertaking from being accepted.

“The activities Buslink NT committed to in its enforceable undertaking have been assessed as likely to result in long-term, sustainable, measurable and tangible work health and safety benefits for the workplace, the industry and the community,” Esteves said. “The expected work health and safety benefits will deliver outcomes superior to those expected from a court sanction, in particular the rollaway bus prevention video will ensure that learnings from Buslink NT’s experiences will be communicated across Australia,” Esteves added. The financial obligations of the proposal are significant, and exceed penalties handed down for similar incidents under equivalent legislation by threefold, WorkSafe NT explains. “Following the incident, Buslink NT has worked with the original equipment manufacturers to identify and implement additional engineering safety controls to further reduce the risk of a bus rollaway. “All owners and operators of buses are urged to follow suit and review their systems to minimise or eliminate the risk of a bus rollway incident from tragically occurring again,” said Esteves.

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BYD-BACKED E-BUS MANUFACTURING SITE ACQUIRED A PROPOSED $700 million e-bus and e-vehicle manufacturing hub in the NSW Southern Highlands – backed by Chinese manufacturer BYD – is a step closer after ‘cleantech’ company TruGreen’s subsidiary Nexport secured a 51-hectare Moss Vale site. As the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported, the site south-west of Sydney aims to be at the forefront of a revival of local manufacturing, with as many as 2,000 new skilled jobs envisaged for the entity. According to the AFR, Nexport chief executive Luke Todd confirms the 51-hectare site at an industrial estate at Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands had been acquired for the manufacturing operation as it aims to become a big player in making electric buses and vehicles. Nexport is the largest supplier of electric buses in Australia, it states, and uses electric vehicle technology developed by BYD.

Todd says the group was tapping into the big shift towards rebuilding Australia’s manufacturing base, and an industry of the future in electric vehicles. Nexport “wanted to be part of a manufacturing renaissance, in line with the push by the federal government to ensure that an economic revival coming out of the pandemic was accelerated”, the AFR explains. “It was already in the works but we have taken the opportunity to escalate and expedite and deepen our investment,” Todd said. “We are 100 per cent Australian-owned.” Other investors include Rod Casson, who built up a large motorcycle accessories business with his brother, which they sold in 2017 for $123 million to ASX-listed MotorCycle Holdings, the AFR states. The Halifax family office has also taken a stake, it reports.

Above: Nexport chief executive Luke Todd says the Moss Vale industrial production site itself would be a zero-emissions site and would be producing buses, trucks, vans and passenger vehicles when it was at full strength.

The New South Wales government has begun the long process of electrification of its fleet of 8000 buses, it adds. Todd says the Moss Vale industrial production site itself would be a zero-emissions site and would be producing buses, trucks, vans and passenger vehicles when it was at full strength. He said Nexport and TrueGreen were aiming to attract other “cleantech” businesses to the site.

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NEWS

uses all those new technologies that we’ve been speaking about – hydrogen, electric – it’s going to be a mix of different technologies, but it’s got to work in Brisbane conditions,” he said. “Diesel is going to need to be in the mix in our public transport fleet for the foreseeable future.”

THE EXPLOSIONS

BRISBANE FADES OUT NATURAL-GAS BUSES CLEAN DIESEL-technology buses will slowly replace Brisbane City Council’s aging ‘eco-friendly’ natural-gas run fleet, with reported explosions resulting in gas tanks only being half filled for safety, affecting efficiency, an ABC Radio Brisbane broadcast highlights recently. As the basis for a printed story on www.abc.net.au called ‘Brisbane City Council swaps “exploding” gas-powered buses for diesel following gas cylinder explosions’, it states that the, “…new diesel buses are a stopgap, with Brisbane City Council’s long-term plans to use a mix of greener technologies, like electricity and hydrogen, still years off.” It added: “Explosions in 2008 and 2012 led to policies that restricted gas buses operating with half-filled tanks, which meant they needed to be refuelled more often. “The council is withdrawing the gas buses, which make up about a third of the fleet, and they will be off the roads by 2027,” it stated.

NO PROGRESS As the report states, Brisbane public and active transport chair Councillor Ryan Murphy says natural gas “at its heart” was cleaner than diesel, but the former had not progressed in two decades. As a result, the Euro 6 standard 12

diesels – the council’s bus of choice – had “leapfrogged” gas buses, with lower particulate and nitrous oxide emissions, it says. “By 2023 we want to have a procurement strategy in place that uses all those new technologies that we’ve been speaking about – hydrogen, electric – it’s going to be a mix of different technologies, but it’s got to work in Brisbane conditions,” Councillor Murphy said. He explains that the council wanted electric and hydrogen-powered buses, but needed to make sure they would work in Brisbane’s climate and conditions, and at scale, the national-broadcaster ABC news report states. Councillor Murphy pointed to the first Brisbane Metro bus that would arrive mid next year: an electric bus that could carry 150 passengers, reach 90 kilometres per hour, and fully charge in 4–6 minutes, the reports states. The United Kingdom and France want diesel banned by 2040, and India wants it off roads by 2030, but Counsellor Murphy says those countries are taking “some pretty big bets” on their future public transport fleets and Brisbane would be more conservative, it quotes. “By 2023 we want to have a procurement strategy in place that

Above and Below: As the report states, Brisbane public andactive transport chair Councillor Ryan Murphy says natural gas “at its heart” was cleaner than diesel, but the former had not progressed in two decades.

Brisbane opposition leader Councillor Jared Cassidy (ALP) says natural gas buses – introduced under Labor Lord Mayor Jim Soorley – had carried millions of passengers for two decades. “At the time they were cutting-edge technology,” he said, though “conceded it was disappointing that two gas cylinders had exploded in the fleet”, the report states. Councillor Cassidy supported the council’s plan to import 60 electric buses for Brisbane Metro, but insisted it needed to be more ambitious and power its entire 1,200-strong fleet with electric or hydrogen, it explains. Councillor Cassidy says bus manufacturer Volgren, based in Brisbane, had the capability with its international counterparts to develop and build electric buses for the city’s non-Metro routes, the report confirms. “We’ve got a fleet of 1,200 buses,” he said. “We’d be one of the very few of the bus operators in Australia who could lead the way on introducing electric buses on a mass scale. Councillor Murphy says replacing the city’s diesel buses “overnight” would be financially irresponsible and leave working buses with “nothing to do”.

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ADL DELIVERS E-BUSES TO AUCKLAND AUCKLAND TRANSPORT (AT) and ferry operator Fullers360 now has six new electric buses for use on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, thanks to a delivery from Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), which also has renewed its partnership with New Zealand manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders. According to ADL – owned by North America’s New Flyer Industries – it will supply an additional two electric buses to Fullers360 subsidiary Waiheke Bus Company before Christmas, allowing half of all buses on the island to be converted to zero-emission operation. At the launch event, attended by the Mayor of Auckland and the British Consul General in Auckland, ADL announced its renewed partnership with local manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders, it adds. This will now include the assembly of electric buses, which for the New Zealand market had until now taken place overseas, it confirms. In addition to two-axle models like those for Waiheke Island, the partners will produce 12.6m-long, three-axle electric

buses, which ADL has designed for the specific requirements of bus operation in New Zealand by carrying 78 passengers without the requirement of an overweight permit, a first for New Zealand, it states. As the country prepares to fully transition its bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, their local assembly will support up to 100 jobs at Kiwi Bus Builders, ADL explains. ADL’s general manager for New Zealand Tony Moore said: “We have been a major supplier to New Zealand for almost ten years and during this time have already supplied 500 vehicles with the help of our friends at Kiwi Bus Builders. As Auckland

Transport and other transport authorities prepare to move to a zero-emission fleet, we are renewing this partnership in a clear sign of our support for New Zealand jobs and our commitment to this market.” Kiwi Bus Builders managing director Richard Drummond said: “The Enviro200 range of electric buses are not only designed for our local requirements here in New Zealand, but are also built in this country. With investment in updated build techniques, we will be able to scale up our production to meet demand from Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand as the fleet transformation gets under way ahead of the 2035 zero-emissions target.”

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NEWS

YUTONG E-BUS FOR EAST AUCKLAND, NZ EAST AUCKLANDERS will soon be able to enjoy a quiet, zero-emissions bus experience thanks to Auckland Transport (AT) and local Transdev subsidiary Howick and Eastern, the companies have announced. Purchased by AT, the new state-of-the-art Yutong E13 three-axle electric bus will be operated by Howick and Eastern on routes throughout the Eastern suburbs and to and from the City, catering for up to 78 passengers per trip, Transdev confirms. General manager of Howick and Eastern Sheryll Otway says the new three-axle vehicle would provide a superior experience for both customers and drivers. “The new vehicle is designed for passenger comfort, offering a smoother, quieter and more sustainable journey for customers,” Otway said. “The bus is the first extra-large 14

electric vehicle on the road in Auckland, and our drivers are very excited to have been given the opportunity to get behind the wheel,” she explained.

2040 GOAL Transdev Australasia CEO Luke Agati congratulated Auckland Transport for its ambition to deliver a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2040. “Globally, Transdev is a leader in zero-emissions mobility and we are proud to be partnering with government agencies,

Above: Auckland’s newest electric vehicle has been specifically designed to meet New Zealand conditions, says Transdev Australasia.

including AT, to bring new fleet and technologies to more places,” Agati said. “By replacing existing legacy fleets with new zero-emissions vehicles we can work together to reduce our carbon footprint, improve the long-term sustainability of the transport network, and make public transport an even easier choice for customers,” he added. Auckland’s newest electric vehicle has been specifically designed to meet New Zealand conditions and is powered by a 422kW battery, with the vehicle capable of travelling up to 400 kilometres on a single charge, Transdev confirms.

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SITA BUSLINES REBRANDS TO TRANSIT SYSTEMS VICTORIA MORE THAN 18 months after Transit Systems acquired Melbourne-based Sita Buslines – marking the company’s first foray into the state – the rebranded Victorian bus entity is now officially known as Transit Systems Victoria, it was announced recently. The company says it is extremely pleased to launch the new-look Sita Buslines following the acquisition of the group into the Transit Systems portfolio in April 2019. Transit Systems has successfully transitioned more public transport contracts than any other provider in Australia, and is renowned for innovation with leading on-demand services, including ‘turn up and go’ services, and zero-emission transport outcomes already in operation, the company states. Clint Feuerherdt, CEO SeaLink Travel Group, which wholly owns the

Transit Systems subsidiary, says the group is pleased to see the Transit Systems network presence expand into Victoria. “We have been successfully running the operations in Victoria for over 18 months now, and the time was right to consolidate the branding into the Transit Systems network,” Feuerherdt explained. “It is very much business as usual on the ground, but it demonstrates our commitment to the Victorian transport network as global operator with local knowledge,” he said. Transit Systems has a fleet of electric buses running as part of a trial with Transport for New South Wales, as well as being one of the most experienced hydrogen fleet operators, experience gained in the globally renowned Transport

Above: “We look forward to seeing the Transit Systems fleet moving around Victoria, and we’re excited by the possibilities in the state,” said Clint Feuerherdt, CEO SeaLink Travel Group.

for London network, it confirms. “We are driven by the concept that the more comfortable, convenient, sustainable and reliable we make public transport, the more we can increase patronage, reduce road congestion and decrease emissions – improve performance measurements and outcomes for our clients and the community,” said Feuerherdt.

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NEWS

$100 MILLION NSW REGIONAL JOB PUSH SUPPORT GRANTS of up to $10 million under a new NSW government program designed to create more jobs across the state is open to businesses in the transport and tourism sector, a government spokesperson for Deputy Premier John Barilaro confirms. Existing regional businesses can apply for funding, as can businesses located in metropolitan areas, interstate or overseas that want to establish operations in regional NSW. For the purposes of this fund, regional NSW is defined as any area

in NSW that is outside of Greater Metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong, the government clarifies. The idea behind the plan is regional businesses that can increase employment by expanding production lines or relocate operations to regional NSW from interstate or overseas will have access to the grants. Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund, announced recently, will provide businesses with the money they need to fast track expansion plans, to create jobs and

Above: NSW Deputy Premier Barilaro says the Regional Job Creation Fund will provide grants between $100,000 and up to $10 million to undertake projects that create jobs.

stimulate the local economy. “NSW businesses have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of drought, bushfires and Covid-19 and this unprecedented funding program will help them thrive instead of just survive,” Deputy Premier Barilaro said. “I have set an ambitious target for the Regional Job Creation Fund to create at least 5,000 new direct jobs across regional NSW in the next three years by providing businesses with the equipment, infrastructure and capacity they need to create new opportunities and attract new customers. “Regional NSW is the engine room of our state and this program will deliver immediate economic stimulus as businesses leverage new opportunities by providing work for tradies and suppliers. “Regional NSW’s abundance of natural resources, its pool of skilled labour and the NSW government’s record infrastructure spend is providing businesses and industry with everything they need to succeed.” Deputy premier Barilaro says the Regional Job Creation Fund will provide grants between $100,000 and up to $10 million to undertake

VOLVO BUS AUSTRALIA ‘FAMILY’ CELEBRATES MILESTONES FATHER AND SON duo David and Stuart Woodward are collectively celebrating 40 years with Volvo Bus Australia this year, with the ‘veterans’ reaching 25- and 15-year milestones, respectively. The 2020 career milestones for the stalwart Woodward pair highlights the integral support to the Volvo Bus Australia team they’ve provided and their nurturing of vital relationships with customers and industry stakeholders, the company confirms.

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projects that create jobs, including those that: • replace, upgrade or adapt existing plant or equipment, including technology or energy efficiency upgrades • enable existing regional NSW businesses to establish an additional production line • relocate a business from interstate or internationally to regional NSW, or onshore an activity currently being undertaken overseas to regional NSW • develop new tourism experiences and attractions to create new demand in a region.

TRANSPORT AND TOURISM When ABC magazine contacted the deputy premier’s office for further information, a spokesperson for said: “The NSW government’s $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund will help to create at least 5,000 new jobs across the next three years by supporting existing regional businesses and encouraging interstate and international business to invest in the regional NSW. “The fund will assist businesses in key and engine industries including transport and logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, defence technology and medical, by co-funding projects providing businesses with the money they need to fast track expansion plans that will create jobs and stimulate local economies.

Commencing his time with Volvo Bus Australia in April, 1995, David Woodward joined the team as Zone Service manager NSW, servicing NSW and NT customers. He later assumed the role of Regional Service manager for the Sydney metro area, where he serviced a large number of customers across city, school, charter and coach operations, before moving into the newly created role of National Competency manager in March this year, Volvo Bus states. Overall, Woodward Snr. has 44 years of experience in the bus and coach industry since landing his first industry job as an apprentice mechanic in 1976. Since then he has developed outstanding skills in his field and has become regarded as a technical guru in the industry, Volvo explains.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE… Passion and dedication to the bus and

“Projects include the expansion or extension of existing buildings, facilities or production lines or the construction of new standalone buildings or facilities. Projects must create at least five new ongoing jobs. “Existing regional businesses can apply for funding, as can businesses located in metropolitan areas, interstate or overseas that want to establish operations in regional NSW. “For the purposes of this fund, regional NSW is defined as any area in NSW that is outside of Greater Metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong,” they stated.

coach industry clearly runs in the Woodward family as David’s son, Stuart, followed in his father’s footsteps and began his career with Volvo Bus Australia a decade later in 2005, Volvo Bus confirms. Having been immersed in the industry and the close-knit bus and coach community since he was a child - where he attended various bus shows and events – Woodward Jnr. has had a passion for buses and coaches for as long as he can remember, he says. Stuart began his career with Volvo Bus Australia as an apprentice heavy diesel technician and later transitioned to Service Advisor with Volvo Commercial Vehicles Sydney. He spent seven years as Contract and Technical Support manager for Volvo Bus in WA, and moved into his current role as regional sales manager for NSW in July 2019.

CONTACT INFO The NSW state government says it is encouraging, “…businesses to discuss their proposal with the Department of Regional NSW by contacting 1300 679 673.” For further information about the program guidelines and eligibility, visit www.nsw.gov.au/RCJFund or visit https://www.investregional.nsw.gov.au/ investment-support/regional-jobcreation-fund/. Applications are now open and will close on May 14, 2021, or when program funding is fully allocated, the government explains.

VALUABLE ASSETS Both David and Stuart’s extensive industry experience, exceptional customer relationship skills and high level of respect from the industry make them valuable assets to Volvo Bus and its customers, the company states. “We are very fortunate to have had David and Stuart supporting the Volvo Bus Australia team throughout the years,” said David Mead, acting general manager Volvo Bus Australia. “Not only have they provided invaluable service to our customers, but they are truly passionate about the bus and coach industry in Australia. “Their career milestones are a testament to their unwavering dedication to the organisation and we are very grateful to have them playing such key roles within the Volvo Bus team,” stated Mead.

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NEWS

THE WOT!?! TAKING THE P***

WWF-BACKED POSTCOVID RECOVERY HIGHLIGHTS ‘CLEAN’ E-BUSES IN A MOVE to help stimulate Australia’s pandemic-stymied economy, a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia campaign video promoting a $2 billion recovery focusing on green technology has crucially thrust electric buses further into the mainstream spotlight, recently. Renewable heavy vehicles specialist Electromotiv is fronting the WWF Australia campaign, which evolved after a WWF-commissioned report by EY suggested a clean stimulus package could create more than 100,000 jobs in a post-Covid-19-led recovery. And a central element to the initiative is a $240 million investment in electric buses. In the video released by WWF this week, Electromotiv’s managing director and co-founder Toby Roxburgh explains that Australia is well-placed to take advantage of renewable energy and to manufacture the buses that will replace their fossil-fuel precursors. “Australia has a fantastic renewable energy resource; we’re the perfect location for zero-emission buses. The technology is there and we can make them in Australia,” Roxburgh said in the video that shows Transport Canberra’s Yutong E12 electric trial bus travelling the streets. Roxburgh believes the campaign could not have come at a better time, saying Australian governments have until recently been reluctant to add zero-emission buses to their fleets, but that’s changing rapidly. “The demand for electric buses is 18

This was the Edinburgh News’ front page on November 9 – Lothian Buses drivers have been accused of dumping bottles of their urine in bushes on the aptly named Bogwood Road in the village of Mayfield near Edinburgh. “We have worked with local authorities and other partners to put in place arrangements for toilet facilities along our routes across Edinburgh and the Lothians,” said Lothian Buses in its defence – raising the question of where they thought bus drivers were relieving themselves previously. And one would hope that the bus is indeed stopped before such matters are taken care of.

exponential. In the first quarter of this year we did nine electric buses for Auckland. We’re now working on our next 50, our next hundred and our next 200 vehicles,” he said.

IN TRANSITION Earlier this year, Transport for New South Wales announced it would transition its 8000-strong bus fleet to zero-emission technology by 2050. In 2019, Brisbane City Council appointed a bid team offering a high-capacity electric vehicle and infrastructure combination to service its $944 million Brisbane Metro project. WWF Australia Energy Transition manager Nicky Ison says the investment in electric buses outlined in the EY report could double local manufacturing jobs in the bus sector. “We can rebuild our economy in a way that sets up Australia for prosperity in a world hungry for a low-carbon future,” Ison said. “Secure jobs, cleaner air, improved health and a nation envied as a world leader in renewables – they are all within our grasp. Australians will prosper and thrive under a renewables-led recovery,” Ison explained. Above: Roxburgh believes the WWF Australiabacked campaign could not have come at a better time, saying Australian governments have until recently been reluctant to add zero-emission buses to their fleets, but that’s changing rapidly.

RAMBLE ON

Things are a bit happier south of the border in North Yorkshire, where a three-hour double-decker ride over the moors has been named the UK’s most scenic bus route in a competition run by Bus Users UK. The 840 route between Whitby and Leeds cruises past the medieval city walls of York before rambling through the rolling Yorkshire countryside to finish up at the coast and a dramatic view of Whitby’s ruined gothic abbey. Though, you probably will need a wee after sitting on the bus for three hours… Spare bottle, anyone?

BORN TO BUS

Looking for Christmas present ideas? Bus Driver Simulator has now been released on your console of choice, offering “a high level of realism, buses from various countries and two faithfully reproduced cities (Cologne, Germany and Serpukhov, Russia)”. If you just can’t get enough of it during work hours, it includes road events such as traffic jams and accidents, the need for fuel stops and variable weather, though it doesn’t seem to have kangaroos rocketing out of nowhere, possibly to the relief of our European counterparts.

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AUSTRALIA WIDE

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BIC

MICHAEL APPS

The path to reopening

We have to look towards creating opportunities in a not-so Covid normal

Michael Apps BIC executive director PO Box 6171, Kingston ACT 2604 p: 02 6247 5990 f: 02 6273 1035 e: admin@bic.asn.au

n October 23, the Australian government released its national policy to ‘open Australia’: a ‘three-step framework for a CovidSafe Australia’ to nationally reopen to a state of ‘Covid normal’. At this stage, Western Australia has decided not to join the rest of the national cabinet in support of the Covid normal plan. It is possible that, by December 25, the whole of Australia (except WA) may have open, quarantinefree domestic borders and all Australians will be able to socialise at any venue, at any time, at a distance of 1.5m (not the currently prescribed 2 and 4 square metre rules). Australians may also be permitted to engage in low risk international travel, but I am yet to be convinced of this. So, what is Covid normal? Well, as I understand it, our ‘new normal’ is: • outbreaks are managed through a swift public health response • no domestic border restrictions • physical distancing (1.5m) and personal responsibility to hygiene and Covid testing • all businesses to have a CovidSafe plan. What places are CovidSafe? Any state or territory that sustains a green light in a complex matrix of traffic lights called the ‘Common Operating Picture’. The ‘picture’ measures state and territory performance on managing Covid-19. What other places are CovidSafe? Outside of Australia, it remains New Zealand only. The recently

“I think the national Covid normal plan, if adopted by all states and territories, is an extremely positive step for industry.” announced in-principle agreement between Singapore and Hong Kong to establish a two-way air travel bubble (ATB) is an interesting development to be closely watched. The ATB allows travel between both cities without quarantine, with certain conditions such as travellers testing negative for Covid. It is clear to me, however, that our coach sector cannot rely on any international borders opening anytime soon. The latest tourism statistics (provided by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in September) tells a compelling and painful 20

story for our coach tourism sector: • international visitors for 2020 likely to be around 1.8 million versus 9.5 million last year – buggered if I know where the 1.8m visitors are coming from; • domestic interstate travel in June down 82 per cent compared to last year with overnight spend down to $404 million compared to $2.9 billion in June 2019; • hotel occupancy rates in August/September in key capital cities down around 30 –35 per cent compared to 75–82 per cent last year. The August results from Tourism Research Australia show that regional areas are faring better than capital cities (Sydney, for example, down 85 per cent compared to August 2019), but regional QLD, WA and SA are all on the way up. However, I believe there is a strong opportunity for our coach sector in both regional and urban tourism. The BIC has long advocated to industry and governments for people to travel across Australia not over it and connect regional visitors to our cities and vice versa. State regional visits are not dissimilar to a regional coach tour in Europe. If this new Covid normal plan pans out, coach operators need to crank up the engine now and start talking to the state tourism agencies and local governments to grow a new and unique service in Australian tourism. There is more to local coach tourism than young backpackers and grey nomads. Not trying to tell operators how to suck eggs here, but I believe we need to expand the market opportunities across the board, not just the traditional markets (charter school bus as an example). Why not try something that offers an experience for a family to see and experience our regions and cities? The BIC and the Bus Australia Network are doing our bit to ensure that support for the sector is on the agenda of all ministers in transport and tourism – including providing a 10-year strategy for coach solutions for land transport tourism. We are also currently holding discussions with the deputy PM Michael McCormack and the national cabinet to support a number of initiatives to encourage industry diversification, business investment and tourist incentives. The bureaucratic task moves slowly most of the time, but I think the national Covid normal plan, if adopted by all states and territories, is an extremely positive step for industry and there-in lies an opportunity for coach operators to flick the switch to new ways to deliver a tourism product. Keep safe and well. Stay informed at ozebus.com. au/covid.

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USED BUS SALES AUSTRALIA

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SPONSORED CONTENT

AXALTA – A LEADER IN PAINT AND COATINGS 2020 has been a quiet year for many, but that has not stopped Axalta from continuing to work in the background, supporting partners and strengthening businesses.

s the major supplier of paint and coatings to the bus industry, Axalta has striven to provide products and solutions, resulting in increased productivity, durability and longer lifespan of vehicles, it says. With the recent announcement that Axalta has been appointed the exclusive paint and coatings supplier to Bustech, Axalta now supplies to more than 75 per cent of all Australian manufactured buses, the company confirms. Axalta puts its rapid growth within the bus industry down to taking time to truly understand the challenges faced by Australian manufacturers. “At Axalta we consider ourselves a partner to manufacturers, not just a supplier. Every bus carrying the manufacturer’s logo also carries our global reputation for industry leading product and support,” Axalta Australia OEM product manager Michael Busch said. “The predominantly coastal, high-corrosion environment that Australia’s buses operate within, exposed to constant extreme levels of UV, needs a unique product offering. “The Axalta product team has done an outstanding job at identifying the best possible product combinations, which contribute significantly to producing, in our opinion, the best buses in Australia.” However, the paint product itself is just a small part of the product and service offering provided by Axalta, it says. 24

“Axalta’s partnership with manufacturers includes extensive initial and ongoing painter training, assistance identifying quality new recruits, analysis and improvement of existing processes, quality control and supply of international benchmark quality product,” Busch continued. “We even work directly with the manufacturer’s supply chain to ensure the initial part is provided at the quality level required, to allow the final paintwork to present to its full quality capacity.”

At Axalta we consider ourselves a partner to manufacturers, not just a supplier. SUITE OF CLIENTS

Above: Coatings application on a bus Right: Axalta’s partnership with manufacturers includes ongoing painter training

A proud member and supporter of the Australian Bus Industry Confederation (BIC), Axalta’s suite of clients domestically includes Volgren’s three manufacturing sites in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, plus Bustech in Queensland and Precision Buses in South Australia. Internationally, Axalta customers include global powerhouses Volvo, Yutong and BYD, the company confirms. The extensive national Axalta technical team continues to offer the highest levels of support to manufacturers in all states and territories of Australia, it explains.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

IT’S NOT JUST A TRUCK SHOW – IT’S A FESTIVAL The latest announcement about the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show was not about the truck show at all. Yet it was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm by stalwarts from across the industry.

he last show to feature heavy equipment and machinery was also the last show at the RNA – Brisbane Showgrounds – in 2009. The show’s hand was forced by the redevelopment of the Showgrounds; however, the move to Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has been well rewarded. Exhibitors have been able to really step it up with the quality of their displays in one of the world’s great venues. The Brisbane Truck Show is the only event that takes over the whole centre, with fantastic displays filling all three floors. The proximity to South Bank and the CBD has opened up new opportunities for truck displays, networking, dining and entertainment. If there were one, the only downside was that there was nowhere for the big yellow construction gear. Well, in Australia we never say never. The exciting news that the 2021 Civil Construction Field Days will be hosted by the Civil Construction Federation of Queensland in tandem with the Brisbane Truck Show was confirmed last month. They have delivered the concept on a smaller scale before, but the 2021 event is not short of ambition. The new venue is downriver from the Story Bridge alongside the fabulous Northshore Hamilton development at Portside Wharf. It is large enough for a huge array of heavy equipment and machinery and plenty of parking, too. Not that you’ll need it if you take the free shuttle from

the truck show, or jump on a Rivercat from South Bank. The reciprocal ticket means that your entry into one show will also get you into the other. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

HEAVY VEHICLE WEEK Last year’s Brisbane Truck Show brought with it a new umbrella event that takes in all the displays, product launches, dinners, conferences, meetings and other activations alongside the show. The Australia Heavy Vehicle Industry Week gave a name to an extraordinary collection of activities that make Brisbane an irresistible destination for the industry every two years. Next year will see major anniversaries celebrated by a couple of the industry’s biggest names. Plans are well underway for how that will look on the ground but enough to say that you, the visitor, will be the beneficiary. There will be more trucks and trailers on display at South Bank parklands and more again in the CBD. Virtually every bar and restaurant in the precinct will be offering deals for truck show attendees; the National Apprentice Challenge will be staged

Above: Todd Hacking (HVIA), Simon Turnbull (Hastings Deering) and Damian Long (CCFQ) launch the Civil Construction Field Days.

in the South Bank Piazza and live entertainment every day – and every night – will bring the festival to life. Meanwhile the Brisbane Truck Show will benefit from new features including a dedicated Future Fuels hub and an expanded Technology and Innovation hub. The Queensland Heritage Truck Show over at Rocklea has been taking place on the weekend of the show for years. If you haven’t made your way over there before, 2021 is definitely the year. Speaking of heritage trucks, the 1928 Thornycroft A2 that was the stage for the very first Brisbane truck show in 1968 is currently being restored. That project is no small challenge; however, everything is on track to unveil her on opening day of the show. It sounds like everything that’s old is new again, doesn’t it? All that and a whole lot more. With the borders opening up, hotel rooms are booking fast. Make sure you’ve locked in yours! www.brisbanetruckshow.com.au

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INNOVATION - SUSTAINABILITY - SAFETY - KNOWLEDGE - CAREERS - COMMUNITY

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IN FOCUS

TFNSW PANEL 3 BUSES

ILLAWARRA TO SEE FIRST ‘PANEL 3’ BUSES A family owned and operated bus company in the coastal NSW Illawarra region will soon be running the first Transport for NSW (TfNSW) ‘Panel 3’-compliant buses, which needed new fire-retardant materials and firesuppression systems to meet the latest ‘Crib 7’ standard, Volgren reports recently.

stablished in 1923, Dion’s Bus Service – based in the Wollongong suburb of Fairy Meadow – is the oldest bus operator in the Illawarra. The concept behind the term ‘Panel 3’ refers to TfNSW’s new procurement arrangement where all new buses travelling in New South Wales must meet passenger safety improvement measures, including stringent new fire-mitigation specifications. The two low-floor route buses, incorporating Volgren Optimus bodies on Volvo BR8 chassis, will replace vehicles coming to the end of their life, and Dion’s managing director Les Dion says that will make a significant difference to passengers. “The two new buses will go into service in late November, replacing two older buses approaching their maximum contract bus age of 25 years,” Dion said. “Being low-floor accessible buses we will be able to better accommodate wheelchairs and prams, as well as our elderly customers. “By replacing two standard buses with accessible buses we are now in a position to be able to provide 100 per cent accessible buses to all of our scheduled passenger services,” he added.

GREAT TRANSFORMATION Dion’s fleet, having served its customers through World Wars and depressions, has transformed greatly during that time and now, as one could imagine. “In early days you would use your resources to maintain your fleet and even add gas-producing charcoal burners to keep the buses going when fuel was scarce during the Second World War,” Dion said. In fact, there was even a period where Dion’s would ‘re-body’ its own buses in order to keep costs down. When it could no longer do this, Dion’s would revert to buying second-hand buses. In 1989, Dion’s purchased its first new bus in 40 years, it confirms. Les Dion says the company’s first Volgren entered the fleet in 1998 and that was the first time the team saw a reliable bus body. “This bus shared the same chassis as three previous buses with a different

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bus body. All three of them gave us grief and the common denominator was the bus body in this instance,” he explained. “It is important that the bus body and chassis complement each other and we have seen many instances where that was not the case. What that equated to is time off the road and expensive repairs. “Unnecessary ongoing maintenance over the life of the bus does not go down well, especially when you know that you will be stuck with the bus for some 25 years,” he said.

MINUTE DETAILS Dion points out that the engagement with Volgren has enabled him to address minute details such as positioning of the Consat screen and other control

By replacing two standard buses with accessible buses we are now in a position to be able to provide 100 per cent accessible buses to all of our scheduled passenger services. switches and devices affecting the driver. “Previously, it was a bit of a lottery with where some of the controls and switches would end up,” he stated. “With the demand of Panel 3 there were some limitations on product patterns such as seating. Instead of simply progressing with the most convenient style, Volgren made certain that we understood the limitations and were still happy with the colour scheme that was provided.” Today, the majority of Dion’s

fleet comprises Volvo buses and about 80 per cent have Volgren bodies. He says his company has confidence that the Panel 3 version of the Volvo-Volgren combination will perform well – and in great part that confidence comes down to the engagement. “Working with Volgren on Panel 3 is a totally different procurement process [to what has occurred before]. And because there’s a lot more required of manufactures there’s been a lot more engagement in terms of what’s going in the bus,

Above: All new buses travelling in New South Wales must meet passenger safety improvement measures, including stringent new fire-mitigation specifications. Opposite, Below: Les Dion with two Volvo/Volgrenbodied buses (Illawarra Mercury, 2017. Image: Sylvia Liber).

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IN FOCUS

TFNSW PANEL 3 BUSES

It’s just a massive leap in terms of the standard of buses we are getting now and it lends itself to a great customer experience. where it should be positioned, what it’s going to look like...”

KEY MILESTONE Above: There are new standards in place for increased fire resistance of materials, as well as a new fireextinguisher system for the engine bay. Below: There has been significant engagement of the operator with the builder to build the best bus possible.

Volgren’s sales and marketing manager Yuri Tessari says achieving Panel 3 compliance is a key milestone for the company and the result of strong cooperation and engagement with manufacturers, chassis OEMs, operators and government. “These vehicles are the end of a 12-month process working closely with Volvo and Transport for New South Wales,” Tessari explained.

“There’s been a great deal of company-wide collaboration – design, manufacturing engineering, sales – everyone’s been invested in making sure the vehicles exceed expectations. “The process took a huge amount of work researching new fire-retardant materials to bring them up to a Crib 7 standard. “[We worked] with existing and new suppliers to meet the Panel 3 requirements, [including] new standards in fire suppression materials – plastics, seat vinyl, flooring, a new fire extinguisher system for the engine bay...”

Tessari states the result is an updated version of their constantly improving flagship Optimus now incorporating the most rigorous fire-safety specifications a Volgren bus has ever possessed. And four more will come to the south coast of New South Wales very soon, the company confirms. Volgren’s next Panel 3 order is from Premier Illawarra, and these buses will be built on MAN chassis.

A MASSIVE LEAP As for Dion’s, the new buses will go into service mid-November 2020, across scheduled city services and school runs, and Les Dion says he’s found himself wondering at how far the company has come in almost a century. “It’s just a massive leap in terms of the standard of buses we are getting now and it lends itself to a great customer experience,” he said. “When you step into a bus you want to feel relaxed and comfortable and enjoy the journey. “This chassis and body [combination] lends itself to that. “The chassis and body – and relationship we have with the manufacturers – tick all the boxes for us,” he said.

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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ABC 399.als - Base Edition 31

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IN FOCUS

CANBERRA BUS RALLY

‘MUM AND DAD’ BUS BUSINESSES STAGE CANBERRA RALLY A 15-strong convoy of family owned ‘mum and dad’ bus companies from across Australia made its way to rally outside Parliament House, Canberra, on October 26 to highlight the economic pressures these small businesses are under.

o highlight their plight, the 15 ‘desperate’ small bus-company owners in their buses joined a convoy that circled the lawn in front of the Parliament building in a display of solidarity – organised by Australian Family Owned Bus Companies. The buses joined the convoy after meeting with shadow tourism minister Senator Don Farrell and Labor MPs Susan Templeman (Macquarie) and Mike Freelander (Macarthur) to plead their case, organisers state. They also spoke with shadow infrastructure, transport and regional development minister Senator Catherine King in a phone conference. Opposition leader in the Senate Penny Wong and deputy Leader Kristina Keneally have agreed to meet in the future, organisers add. According to rally spokespeople, as the “bus industry faces extinction” due to a range of issues such as “bankruptcy, bank foreclosures, dangerous decline in mental health and even suicide threats”, the nationwide ‘mum and dad’ family owned and independent bus industry faces such a demise without a federal government rescue package because of the impacts of Covid-19.

HOPELESS AND HELPLESS Owner of Paramount Tours in Bankstown, NSW, Laura Di Leva, said: “Every kilometre travelled costs a business owner about $3.50, so coming to Canberra was a huge sacrifice that cost each operator hundreds of dollars (thousands in some cases).” She thanked politicians for meeting with five Australian Family Owned Bus Companies group representatives, but says small bus company owners felt hopeless. “They have no work and don’t see anything changing,” she said. The ongoing closure of international 32

Rally spokespeople had a meeting before the rally with politicians including Labor MP Susan Templeman (right), pleading their case.

borders had wiped out bus tours to tourist sites around the nation, slashing operator income to zero, she says. Many who relied on the inbound tourism market had heavily invested in vehicles to serve the previous demand, she explains. Now, the hiatus to vehicle repayments had expired and banks and other lenders demanded payment, Di Leva states. Many could not pay and must consider refinancing their homes or using the equity in them to meet repayments. Some risked losing everything, she outlines. “One operator told me he has to fork out over $5,000 per month in repayments starting October,” Di Leva said. “He doesn’t have that money unless he sells his house. He’s 75 and was looking into retiring before the pandemic broke out. “He can’t even sell his vehicles as no-one has the money to buy them, and if he sells at auction he will get only half of their value.” Domestic border closures have also impacted the long-distance charter market. With no indication on when they would reopen, “…we cannot even plan tours for the future.”

Many operators had been forced to deregister vehicles they could not afford to register, which also axed their potential to work if circumstances changed, she adds. All small bus company owners faced financial hardship, with some facing bankruptcy, Di Leva states, who says that she has had zero income for 12 months.

VEHICLE REPAYMENT COSTS Di Leve sold one of her coaches at a heavily reduced rate and is looking at selling another, she confirms. While she had secured a repayment deferral extension until February 2021, the consequence was an extra $1,500 a month, bringing the monthly total to $7,500 for just one vehicle, and an additional eight months to the contract term. “I don’t see how I can make this repayment if I don’t have a substantial amount of work,” she said. “I will have to draw down on my home loan to cover just the vehicle repayment costs.” Also a licensed travel agent, two interstate and two overseas tours were cancelled and Di Leva had to refund all her clients, she says.

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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16/11/2020 11:59:43 AM

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IN FOCUS

CANBERRA BUS RALLY

We are one of the first industries impacted and the last ones to recover. got guys ringing me in tears and threatening suicide, and that impacts my own mental health,” Williams said. In total, she had lost approximately $100,000 in income and forfeited two years of work due to the pandemic, she adds. “I will not see that level of income for at least another three years,” she said. “Our industry is not like restaurants or coffee shops that can convert their output to takeaways. We are one of the first industries impacted and the last ones to recover.”

GRATEFUL BUT STRUGGLING Director of Near or Far Bus & Coach in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Rod Williams especially thanked Ms Templeman, who arranged the meetings with her Parliamentary colleagues and raised the issue in a Private Member Statement in Parliament. Williams says while smaller bus companies were grateful for government help such as JobKeeper, many aspects of the 34

industry had been overlooked. Small bus companies needed help with crippling costs like depot rental payments, vehicle registration, insurances, fuel costs and toll fees to remain viable and provide job security for employees, he explains. The group is calling on state governments to share transport work with all accredited operators rather than just large companies, he states. Hartley adds that an extension of JobKeeper past March 2021 was also needed, along with negotiations with creditors and industry specific mental health support. Williams also worried about the thousands of bus drivers, mechanics, cleaning and other ancillary staff employed by the bus industry. “We’re not using our vehicles so we don’t need windscreens, tyres or technicians, which means we’re not bringing business to these people,” he said. “It’s life and death now. I’ve

LIFELINE NEEDED Meanwhile, communities would also be stripped of affordable transport options when normal travel resumed if a lifeline was not thrown to the small private bus industry now, he says. Pre-Covid, these operators had filled their buses with everyday Australians and transported them to school camps, swimming carnivals and sporting activities, school holiday outings, weddings, seniors’ daytrips and other social group events. Now they are on the brink of collapse, they say. He urged people to contact their local politicians. “Many operators like myself will not be around much longer without some instant cash injections and then some form of ongoing assistance such as low-interest government loans with a non-payment term, then a long-term payment plan.”

Above: 15 ‘desperate’ small buscompany owners in their buses joined a convoy that circled the lawn in front of the Parliament House in Canberra.

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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16/11/2020 12:00:21 PM

THE NEW IRIZAR i6 MIDI PTA SCHOOL BUS Irizar’s range of Midi Coaches and School Buses are coming to Australia.

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16/11/20 8:35 am

IN FOCUS

TRANSDEV ELECTRIC BUS

250 solar panels are capturing up to 159,000kWh of power per year.

‘SUSTAINABLY POWERED’ E-BUS FOR SEQ Transdev Queensland will launch a 100 per cent ‘sustainably powered’ full-sized electric bus for South East Queensland early 2021, charged at a fully solar-powered bus depot in Brisbane, the company reports.

outed as a first for Australia, global e-mobility leader Transdev will operate the new 39-seat e-bus on TransLink routes throughout Brisbane and the Redlands from early 2021 under a two-year partnership with the Queensland state government, it confirms. Transdev CEO Luke Agati says the bus would be 100 per cent powered by ‘harvested’ sustainable solar energy, with the company installing a new Green Mobility Megawall, comprising 10 Tesla Power Walls and solar network at its Capalaba depot. “Averaging more than 280 days of sunshine per year, Queensland well and truly lives up to its reputation as the Sunshine State, and we are excited to be bringing this clean, green, modern vehicle to Brisbane and the Redlands,” Agati said. “Globally, Transdev is a leader in zero-emissions mobility, and work is underway to introduce new fleet and innovations to Australia and New Zealand over the coming months. “Research, testing and design for our 36

future zero-emissions fleet will be led from our newly opened Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence, also based at our Capalaba Depot.”

ZERO-EMISSION FLEET Member for Capalaba Don Brown toured Transdev’s Capalaba depot recently and says the new e-bus would help to power Queensland’s e-mobility industry and support jobs. “Not only will the new vehicle be powered by the more than 159,000kWh of local sunshine collected on-site each year, but it will be Queensland research and experience that will shape the design and introduction of [a] new zero-emission fleet, both here in Queensland, and elsewhere across the country,” member Brown said. “Global economies have been hard-hit by Covid-19, and both Australia and Queensland have not been immune. “But Queensland’s ongoing health response means we can continue our plan for economy recovery, which means creating jobs on major transport projects like new, more energy-efficient buses, our

$371 million smart ticketing system and the Eastern Transitway. “The Palaszczuk government is committed to collaborating with industry on the transition to electric vehicles and infrastructure and services, and Transdev’s decision to lead it’s [sic] e-mobility operations from Queensland is a recognition of the expertise and innovation that we have here in the Sunshine State.”

BUS FACTS • R oute testing will occur for two years – to identify suitable routes (based on geography, stopping pattern, etc.) for optimal energy efficiency • Capacity for 61 passengers – 39 sitting, 22 standing • Up to 300-kilometre range per charge (operating under normal conditions) • 348kW size battery • Battery fully charged in under five hours • Enhanced passenger comfort – reduced noise, USB charging ports and electric ramp

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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IN FOCUS

TRANSDEV ELECTRIC BUS

• Customised digital signage and on-board display • Volgren Optimus body integrated with BYD e-bus chassis.

GREEN MOBILITY MEGAWALL/SOLAR SYSTEM • 250 solar panels capturing up to 159,000kWh of power per year – average of 438kW per day • Green Megawall consists of 10 individual Tesla Power Wall units • Total storage capacity 135kWh.

Our day-to-day work influences our families, friends and future generations where they live, work and play.” In Australasia, Transdev has 5,704 people passionate about operating its 2,150 vehicles and vessels, which deliver more than 145 million customer journeys each year, it explains.

It will be Queensland research and experience that will shape the design and introduction of [a] new zero-emission fleet.

ABOUT TRANSDEV According to Transdev it believes, “… public transport plays an important part in how a city comes to life.

Above: L-R: Transdev Australasia head of engineering Marc Cleave, TransLink CEO Matt Longland and Transdev Queensland head of business operations Mark McKenzie looking at solar panel installation at Transdev’s Capalaba Depot, Brisbane. Image credit: Nicholas O’Sullivan. Right: A mock-up of the e-bus – final livery is to be determined by TransLink. 38

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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THE ENGINE OIL THAT WORKS AS HARD AS YOU Our customers depend on Shell Rimula to protect their bus and coach fleets in the harsh Australian conditions. From long distance coaches traveling through the centre of Australia, to stop/start driving of city buses, you can trust Shell Rimula. Shell Rimula oils are formulated to safeguard engines against wear and acid corrosion, which can be harmful to engine and oil life. Coupled with a comprehensive range to transmission, gearbox, hydraulic and differential oils as well as greases and coolants, our range of lubricants cover just about every application to keep your buses and coaches working as hard as you do. To find out more about Shell Rimula and other quality lubricants call our technical team on 1300 134 205 or visit Shell.com.au/Rimula

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 39

16/11/20 8:35 am

IN FOCUS

MELBOURNE PROTEST BUS

MELBOURNE OPERATOR TAKES PROTEST BUS TO THE STREETS Victorian border closure uncertainty – affecting a charter bus business’s ability to reliably plan and honour tour bookings – plus Melbourne’s strict metro lockdown restrictions forced one local family owned and run bus operator to visibly protest his plight and put more than half of his bus fleet up for auction to help pay a spiralling multi-million dollar debt.

aurie Pincini of Rockleigh Tours drove his protest bus around Melbourne metro precinct recently, covered in anti-Victoria premier Dan Andrews slogans. Pincini says his business is “going backwards” and that “it’s screwed”, after having to put 12 of his 22 buses up for auction. Speaking exclusively to ABC, he said that he has had to diversify his workload to include hay bailing and silage trucking to keep money flowing and help reduce a $3.8 million (and growing) debt – Pincini recounted a harrowing financial predicament being felt by charter bus operators Australia-wide. “We are driving silage trucks, we are doing hay contracting, we’re doing anything to try to make a dollar, mate – we’ve been closed since March 16,” Pincini said. “I’ve had one bus a day, or you know a couple out… Out of the 22 buses, the maximum I’ve had [doing] work has been five in one day doing V/Line at night-time, at 3.00am, 4.00am in the morning. That doesn’t’ pay the bills when it costs us $200K a month to open the door and you’ve only got $50K a month coming in. 40

“We’ve been in the bus game now for just on 75 years. We employ my sons, my daughters, my sons-in-laws, uncles, fathers in-laws, bloomin’ my kid’s uncle’s brothers-in-laws plus families and everything in the local community. “Come the end of December and something opens and goes bang! They are all out of work because JobKeeper doesn’t work past then when I’ve got to pay them the 20 hours a week. I can’t afford it!” When asked what the motivation behind the protest bus was, Pincini referred comparatively to the situation in NSW and

said: “It’s been causing waves; it’s all around the world.” The bus started doing the rounds recently when the amended Victorian Omnibus bill – still contentiously interpreted by pro-democracy civil libertarians while championed and defended by premier Daniel Andrews MP – was passed.

THE STRESS Asked about the stress and impact this is all having on his family and himself, Pincini replied: “Well, mate – I’ve called Beyond

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Blue... I’ve been there. “I’ve had to make those phone calls; I’ve had to make those phone calls to family and friends... I know they are out and having depression again. “When you walk past a yard full of buses and an empty shed and you go ‘there will be nobody here for the next two weeks, if I knock myself off who’s going to care?’ So it gets to that point, mate. “The mental strain and pressure... And, you know financially if the

buses go, the house goes – they are only items. The mental pressure that you are dealing with that you’ve let your team down, your family down, your community down – that’s what the problem is. “It’s not so much the financial because all of a sudden you think you are a failure you’ve let so many people down because they have relied upon you to pay their mortgages and everything. And now they are struggling and they can’t make their mortgage repayments. And even though it [the pandemic] wasn’t our fault, you still take it to heart.”

BORDER GUARANTEE Pincini says while they won’t reject any financial assistance, the point of the exercise is to draw attention to the need to re-open borders fully. “Until they can get borders open for the charter industry, the industry is screwed. “Every time Queensland decides that three people in NSW have got it and they are going to close

the border on them, how can an operator book a tour – a five-day, 10-day, 15-day tour, whatever – to not be able to go across the border? “It took us until September to get money back off Jetstar because of cancellations, so how do I go to book tours when there’s flights and things that cancel due to Covid and border closures and they only gave us back the money in the end because … they [the passenger/ airline] cancelled their flight? “So how do we book tours and that knowing we’ve got no money coming back? “If we can’t go because the tour can’t happen because the border’s closed and we lose flights, lose hotels, lose everything, you are even in worse sh*t. “That’s why, as an industry, that’s what we need: we need guarantees the borders will stay open and they are not going to [close]. “When did we go from ‘living with Covid’ to ‘eradication’? “It’s a stacked deck; none of us are going to be able to reach that.”

Above: Pincini says that he was driven to protest by a lack of clarity on opening borders and keeping them open. Left: Pincini and his employees have been doing everything from driving silage trucks to hay contracting to try and keep themselves in business. Opposite: Since Covid hit, the most work that’s come through for Rockleigh Tours was running five buses for rail replacement in the early morning.

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COVERSTORY

HINO-CUSTOM ADVENTURER

SOMETHING SPECIAL

With its delicious retro look underwritten by modern bus performance and appeal, this very first Hino RN8J chassis on a Custom Adventurer-body ‘school bus’ is something the kids will love and hate to have to leave after each journey. WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES SARA CLARK

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ime ‘waits for no man’, as the saying goes – and nor should it. Yet its passing brings equal amounts of pleasure or pain when we reminisce the emotional sights and sounds of our youthful yesteryears as we spearhead into each new day. Or perhaps some of us sleep-deprived writers should just merely start reading more Hemingway… That aside, there will be some things of the past that seem to transcend time and consistently find a beautifully congruous place in the modern day.

And when it comes to buses, the strikingly retro-cool colour scheme of Victoria’s Turnbull’s Bus Service – in use since the company’s origins some 70 years ago – still looks stunning and ‘factory fresh’ now. Well … technically it really is factory fresh because the delectable tan, cream and ruddy-brownish maroon PPG paint hues actually are new, gracing this recently released Hino-Custom Adventurer school/ charter head-turner. “We have always used that colour scheme; it actually came from an early Toyota Deluxe Coaster colour option,” explained David Turnbull, dealer-principal of Turnbull Toyota in Yarrum and Sale. “My 86-year-old father, Ian Turnbull (the mastermind behind the styling who started out as an apprentice mechanic), originally decided [on] that. “We have always had Hino bus

Hino has a comprehensive suite of business solutions for its customers. chassis and we currently run five school buses and all [with] Custom coach bodies. “We use Denso air conditioning. We like Denso as it’s the same that’s in Toyota and we have had a Toyota dealership for 56 years in Yarram and Sale,” he said.

BORDER CROSSING Right about now you can appreciate where this is going. Once recent pictures of the new bus – while it was being refuelled out in public by stalwart Hino sales manager Kevin Fielding – surfaced on a bus-related website and went

Above: Ian and David Turnbull, representing generations ‘two’ and ‘three’ out of ‘four’ to date. Left: This recently released Hino-Custom Adventurer really is a good-looking head-turner.

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COVERSTORY

HINO-CUSTOM ADVENTURER

HINO ADVANTAGE The comprehensive Hino Advantage program provides Hino bus customers with fleet training, a dedicated in-house customer care centre and access to Hino genuine parts and service, Clark explains. “Every day a bus is off the road, it is costing operators money and the pressure to return it to service as quickly as possible can encourage some companies to take shortcuts, but, in fact, the best option is to simply purchase Hino genuine parts.” Most Hino genuine parts are readily available from the Hino dealer network, with 24/7 support available from the parts distribution centre in Sydney, which also provides delivery to any Australian capital city as soon as the next business day, Clark explains. Hino genuine parts are guaranteed to ‘fit first time, every time’, minimising downtime and increasing profitability, Clark adds. All Hino genuine parts fitted on a Hino bus by an authorised Hino dealer come with a three-year unlimited kilometre parts warranty. As part of the Hino Advantage suite of business benefits, every Hino bus chassis comes with a one-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (whichever occurs first), and a two-year/unlimited-kilometre standard powertrain warranty, she states.

Top: The driver’s area includes a Isri 6860 driver’s seat and AC boost. Above: Styleride Orion 57 x non-reclining seat-belted seats with Transporter vinyl tan trim. Opposite, Top + Below: The company’s traditional colour scheme has been applied to this brand new bus, melding old school cool with updated technology.

‘viral’ in local bus circles, being built in NSW it was going to prove tricky to get it over the border down south into Victoria, it would seem. “The new bus we had to pick up from Bombala, NSW, as Hino couldn’t deliver across the border without having to quarantine for two weeks when they returned,” explained Turnbull exclusively to ABC magazine. “I drove it back from Bombala with Dad and it actually seems to run better than the last few [SB50s] we purchased.” So what will the bus be used for and where does it fit into the Turnbull’s Bus Service mix? And where and how did that story begin? “We have six bus runs in total,” Turnbull explained. “My grandfather started the business up around 70 years ago, repairing cars and buses. He was repairing a bus in the early days and the customer didn’t have any money to pay him so he gave him the old bus. “Back then the bus used more oil than fuel and they used waste sump oil to keep it going until they tried some cored rings and that stopped the oil usage.” We can only assume things have dramatically improved since then with a current pandemic being the new challenge for us all… “We have been fortunate through Covid [in] country Victoria. We were able to battle through; just needed to tighten up spending, etc. “I’m the third generation in the business and we already have the fourth working in the company,” Turnbull said.

MASTERMIND So just what is it about this bus that makes it so special? Its new-age retro style with cream, tan and maroon colour scheme definitely makes what is old new again. Yet more so, its minimalist styling means it has a classic look and feel with all of the modern comforts. For the parties involved, this is the first production Custom-Denning Adventurer body on a twin-axle Hino RN8J automatic bus chassis. It pumps out 285hp/213kW from its six-cylinder overhead-cam ‘Euro

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Specs

5’ diesel engine, driven via a ZF Ecolite six-speed automatic transmission. Ride comfort comes via air suspension. Hino Bus manager Sara Clark said: “The RN8J is proven Hino product that is comfortable and quiet to drive. The ZF six-speed automatic transmission combines with the six-cylinder engine for smooth acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency.

“For Hino bus customers, it is the service and business benefits they receive once they leave the dealership that is equally as important as the sales experience,” she said of the Hino Advantage concept behind it all. It should be noted that as a Toyota Motor Group company, Hino has a comprehensive suite of business solutions for its customers, designed to

MAKE: Hino MODEL: RN8J twin-axle chassis ENGINE: Six-cylinder overhead-cam EGR & DPR (meeting ADR 80/03 Euro 5) diesel; Power – 285hp/213kW TRANSMISSION: ZF Ecolite six-speed automatic SUSPENSION: Air suspension BODY: Custom-Denning 12m Adventurer; Paint – PPG cream, tan and maroon; Australian Made certified, locally designed and produced; Frame – stainless-steel frame using 3CR12 malleable steel, stipple stainless side walls included, CAM-lock luggage bins, roofmounted air intakes, lift-up wheel arches INSIDE: Seats – Styleride Orion 57 x non-reclining seat-belted seats with Transporter vinyl tan trim; flooring – Tarkett Granit Safe ‘Terracotta’; side wall interior trim – ABS sand finish in dark grey, Centre wall interior trim – powder-coated aluminium light grey; driver’s seat – Isri 6860; Actia multiplexing with driver interface MISC.: Denso LD8 air-con with full AC dashboard mounted controller; destination system – Mobitec LED 16x140 with ICU602 controller; body – field service support with onsite repairs by appointment; large stock volumes for quick parts supply; options – electric front blind, 2x half blinds NS and OS, driver’s AC boost fan, Canon heated mirrors, full through bins, four hopper windows

busnews.com.au November 2020 ABC

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COVERSTORY

HINO-CUSTOM ADVENTURER

This was a totally new bus for the client and being a new Hino option, it was exciting [for Custom] to work with Hino Australia.

reduce costs over the life of the vehicle, she explains. Like all Hino products, Hino buses are built with the core brand attributes of quality, durability and reliability (QDR) she says - and Hino here has been delivering buses to the Australian market for 55 years, she confirms.

BODY BEAUTIFUL Though not the first new Adventurer to come out of the latest Custom-Denning stable, of the Turnbull’s project – the first on a Hino platform – national sales manager Mick Neskes confirms the customer had bought Custom products in the past, the last of

Above: The ‘Euro 5’-equivalent diesel engine pushes out 285hp/213kW.

which was an SB50, purchased around three years ago. “The Adventurer is the replacement of the SB50, as the SB50 has now been phased out,” he explained. “Some states have excluded low-mount mirrors on school buses, and this one was built with Canon arm-style mirrors which are low-mounted mirrors. “This was a totally new bus for the client and, being a new Hino option, it was exciting [for Custom] to work with Hino Australia. “The bus is so versatile it can be a basic school bus, mine spec, or dressed up as a charter/ coach-style bus!” he stated.

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FOR SALE OWNER MUST SELL DUE TO HEALTH

PROPERTY WITH TWO BUILDINGS

unit 1 & 2, unit 2 currently rented to bus company.

Bus company has been in operation in the top end for 25 years. Will sell as a whole or separate.

For information Contact owner direct Bill 0403 470 165

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 47

16/11/20 10:20 am

OPERATOR

NEAR OR FAR BUS AND COACH

Husband and wife duo Rod and Justine Williams are doing their best to weather the current storm that has hit the bus industry so hard. Despite their four-yearold business being severely affected by the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, they remain upbeat and are using the time to refurbish their fleet.

od Williams is clearly passionate about his business and feels positive about serving the local community. A former school teacher, Rod starting driving school excursions and local scout trips while still pursuing his teaching career in the mid-1990s. When he decided to move on from teaching he knew he could fall back on his driving skills, as he had driven with a lot of other companies in the previous 20 years. In 2017, he and his wife, Justine, set up Near or Far Bus and Coach, and they remain steadfast in their commitment to provide a reliable and safe bus service in country New South Wales, they say. The company operates bus charter in the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney regions, including Penrith, Emu Plains, Kingswood, Windsor, Richmond, St Marys, Blacktown, Katoomba, Blackheath, Mt. Victoria, Springwood and Blaxland. Its depot and office is located in Lawson in the Blue Mountains.

Right: Rod Williams credits his driver team as being a key part of the Near or Far family.

NEAR, FAR, WHEREVER 48

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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17/11/2020 5:39:44 PM

YOU ARE

WORDS ANJALI BEHL IMAGES PAUL ALDRIDGE

busnews.com.au November 2020 ABC

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17/11/2020 5:40:11 PM

OPERATOR

NEAR OR FAR BUS AND COACH

Our determination kept us busy and we have had our wheelchair accessible coach’s interior refurbished and it looks fantastic.

Above: It’s a family affair at Near and Far, with Rod and Justine’s four children also involved in the business. Opposite: Near or Far Bus and Coach was set up in 2017 by Rod and Justine Williams. 50

Near or Far relies mostly on toured charter. It holds a standing order from Transport for NSW for emergency busing, and also works for a couple of schools in the area. Its school contacts were passed on from IHS Coaches, when Rod purchased the business from former owner Kelvin Weatherburn, he explains. Kelvin (affectionately called Kel) continues his passion to serve the local communities by driving for Rod now.

LOVE FOR THE JOB Justine continues to teach at a local school, while taking care of the ‘office’ side of things, such as record-keeping and compliance, while Rod manages the day-to-day

operations and driving full-time. “We love being able to serve our local community. We’re glad to have a wheelchair-accessible coach in our fleet, which allows us to cater to passengers with special needs. Our determination kept us busy and we have had our wheelchair accessible coach’s interior refurbished and it looks fantastic,” Rod said. “One of the other best parts of running my own business is having a team that is as devoted to the work as Justine and I are. “My team [Kelvin, Eddie, John and Paul] is as much part of the business as Justine and our kids. “Our four children, Sienna, Samuel, Ashleigh, Abigail, also lend a helping hand in the family business,” he said.

THE FLEET Near or Far currently owns four vehicles, ranging from a 53-seater to a 69-passenger seat-belted coach. With the charter business severely crippled as a result of Covid-19, the company recently sold its fifth coach. “We started out with one bus that we bought from IHS Coaches, but we sold that off within the first year of operation,” Rod explained. “During the first year we also started running a wheelchairaccessible Scania coach. Today, all our coaches are Scania and we have a school bus that is Volvo B10M.” His team largely relies on Quinlan’s Equipment Repairs in Penrith for service and repairs and Johnson’s Towing and Mechanical in Bathurst. “We need to have our maintenance spot-on at all times because being in the

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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17/11/2020 5:41:11 PM

busnews.com.au November 2020 ABC

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17/11/2020 5:44:06 PM

OPERATOR

NEAR OR FAR BUS AND COACH

We need to have our maintenance spot-on at all times because being in the mountains does isolate you from access to mechanical repairs in a hurry. mountains does isolate you from access to mechanical repairs in a hurry. So we ensure our vehicles are always in top condition and that’s why we try to avoid any breakdowns as much as possible,” he added.

THE ‘BIG C’ OF 2020 Rod is a resilient bloke. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may have knocked out 90 per cent of his business, but of all the bus and coach business operators we’ve have spoken to in the past four 52

months, Rod would be hands down the most optimistic that things will turn out for the better, even if the ‘when’ part of the story is still up in the air. “We’re here for the long term. We’ve weathered the storm reasonably well,” Rod said. “We’ve used the time to refurbish our fleet and further improve our vehicles. Our business can and will survive this turmoil! We are looking forward to working to provide the best service possible.

“We have Covid Safe cleaning and travel practices that encourage a clean and safe environment for our customers and our staff. “At present, it is tough out there. There are so many companies relying on international tourism and, with that suspended, it has created a more competitive environment for the domestic market. What happens then is you have people undercutting each other, making businesses unsustainable. “A lot of other small businesses have become unsustainable, which is a huge concern for us all. I remember, by mid-March, every single booking for the year was wiped. That’s thousands of dollars of revenue gone. “The JobKeeper allowances have assisted some of our employees; however, we had to sadly let go of one

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

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17/11/2020 5:44:27 PM

CANBERRA RALLY Rod is the spokesperson for the Australian Family Owned Bus Companies group that has led two rallies since September to highlight the Covid-induced quandary these businesses find themselves in through no fault of their own, and lobby for a federal government rescue package. The group led their first peaceful rally to NSW state parliament on September 16, with more than 50 family owned and independent buses - representing regional and city bus operators, their staff and service providers - circling the Parliament building. Their second rally, which included a 15-strong convoy of family owned ‘mum and dad’ bus companies from across Australia, made its way to Parliament House in Canberra on October 26. The convoy circled the lawn in front of the Parliament building, in a display of solidarity to highlight their cause. The group is calling on state governments to share transport work with all accredited operators rather than just large companies. Williams also worries about the thousands of bus drivers, mechanics, cleaning and other ancillary staff employed by the bus industry that have been affected by the pandemic. The group is also demanding extension of JobKeeper past March, 202,1 and industry-specific mental health support. Rod says small bus companies needed help in the form of a federal government rescue package to manage fixed costs to keep their head above the water and provide job security for employees. “Many operators had been forced to deregister vehicles they could not afford to register, which also axed their potential to work if circumstances changed,” he explained. The local communities will also feel the knock-on effect of the bus industry’s distress as they could be “stripped off affordable transport options when normal travel resumed if a lifeline was not thrown to the small private bus industry now”, he added.

of our staff member. We paid them for as long as we could before we needed to stop and recommend they seek JobSeeker payments. It was a tough decision for us. We also had to de-register two of our vehicles.” Things are coming back, although Rod says it’s patchy. “People are still concerned. A lot of our seniors’ groups don’t want to travel at the moment because they are understandably concerned about their health.” “Schools are coming back in a limited regard, but we don’t know when things will get back to normal on the charter side.” For now, Rod and his small team are keeping their chins up and looking forward to better times.

Above: The coach fleet is made up of Scanias, accompanied by a Volvo B10M school bus. Right: Rod says that during the Covid downturn, the company has used its time to refurbish and improve its fleet.

busnews.com.au November 2020 ABC

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17/11/2020 5:44:45 PM

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ABC 399.als - Base Edition 54

17/11/20 8:05 am

Comfort, convenience and capacity The D12 series Yutong is the world’s largest bus manufacturer – combining technology, design and reliability to deliver consistent quality and longevity in mind – to provide a transport experience you can trust. As a multipurpose bus, the D12 brings comfort and style with its air suspension and fully adjustable high back luxury seats. The premium option for schools, mining or charter operations, it stands tall in delivering robust safety and reliability to its drivers, passengers and operators. A true crowd pleaser.

ABC 399 55-59.indd 55

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drive comfort at every turn. Each vehicle is built with safety and

16/11/20 11:14 am

ABC SALES

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1x 2018 MINING D12 EX DEMO MINING SPECS MINING SPECS EQUIPMENT, fire suppressor, tyre monitor, Seat belt Alarm system.

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1x 2013 HIGER MUNRO 28+1 seater, cummins isf 3.8 litre turbo engine, allison 6 sp auto, leather seats, spider mirrors, windscreen stone guard, front nudge bar.

Barry Henderson: qldsales@yutong.com.au  0427 750 885 David Green: sales@abccoachsales.com.au  0418 253 422 56

ABC NOVEMBER 2020 busnews.com.au

ABC 399 55-59.indd 56

16/11/20 11:14 am

WANT TO ADVERTISE? CALL 03 9567 4154

Bookings for next issue close on Dec 5th 2020

Yutong Bus Centre Brisbane

ABC-HH2-5129255-TS-398

2 X 2013 HIGER MUNRO

2016 BONLUCK “SENATOR 9”

Cummins ISF 165hp, automatic, 28 lap sash seat belted seats in leather, roof A/C, DVD, towbar, travelled approx. 200,000klm very clean

Cummins ISB 250hp Allison auto inc retarder,43 lap sash seat belted seats, A/C, underfloor bins,4 x sliding windows, bull bar, travelled approx. 145,000klm ,very clean

$45,000.00+GST each

$135,000.00+GST

2 X 2015 IVECO EURORIDER

2 X 2015 SCANIA K440EB Opticuise,13.5M Coach Concepts body, 50 Styleride lap sash leather recliners, tachograph, 2 door, mid toilet, many extras, one fitted with a Wheelchair lift, travelled approx. 400 to 440,000klm

from $345,000+GST each

2016 YUTONG Goanna

27 Seats, Cummins ISBe5 160hp, DVD/TV, Curtains, Alloy, Tow Bar optional, Great little mini-bus.

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A premium vehicle that looks as good on the outside as it does in. Here, passengers receive more spacious luggage compartments, reduced noise ride comfort and high-end audio/visuals, while the driver enjoys greater manoeuvrability and performance. The T12 also features customisable seating options to suit your needs. Exceptional ride comfort with Mercedes Benz engine with reduced noise 11.97L displacement and up to 1850N/m torque Bosch A/V system with DVD/CD Optimised ZF automatic Seats 53 Coach transmission and rear axle ratio Seats 57 School Bous 3 11m capacity luggage Seats 53 With Wheelchair Lift compartments

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$295,990 + GST & ORC 57x Seater School Bus

Cursor 330hp,ZF automatic inc retarder, Marcopolo 12.5m body,57 lap sash seat belted seats,A/C,underfloor bins,travelled 245,000klm

NEW

ST O

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NEW

Barry Henderson | 0427 750 885 | qldsales@yutong.com.au David Green | 0418 253 422 | david@abccoachsales.com.au

2 X 2007 DENNING PHOENIX 4X2 12.5M Cat C9 330hp, Allison auto inc retarder, 53 lap sash seat belted leather reclining seats, Thermo King A/C, large underfloor bins, Travelled approx. 730,000klm many extras, very clean

Reduced to $120,000.00+GST each

2014 BONLUCK “PRESIDENT 2”

2010 MAN 18-360 ZF As Tronic trans, Coach Design 12.5m body, 57 McConnell Educator 3/2 combination, Thermo King A/C, underfloor bins, DVD, travelled approx. 217,000klm, very clean

$175,000.00+GST

2012 SCANIA A30 K310IB

Cummins ISL360hp, Allison automatic inc retarder, 53 lap sash seat belted seats in leather, large underfloor bins, DVD, travelled approx. 307,000klm

Opticruise trans inc retarder, 53 lap sash seat belted seats in vinyl, underfloor bins, A/C, complete chassis service and repaint all over, travelled approx. 328,000 klm

$140,000.00+GST

$120,000.00+GST

2005 MERCEDES BENZ 0500 6sp manual,12.5m Mills Tui body, 46 lap sash seat belted recliners, mid toilet, Thermo King A/C, Urn, Tachograph, DVD, UHF, Guide seat, Travelled approx. 703,000klm

Priced to sell $50,000.00+GST

2010 MERCEDES BENZ 1830

2016 BONLUCK “PRESIDENT 9” Cummins ISB300HP, Aliison automatic inc retarder, 43 fixed coach seats inc lap sash seat belts, Spheros heat cool A/C, large underfloor bins, as new condition, travelled only 134,000klm

$145,000.00+GST

2017 KING LONG

2010 BCI “EXPLORER” CUMMINS ISM410HP Allison auto inc retarder, 58 lap sash seat belted leather recliners, rear toilet, Tracs A/C, large underfloor bins, very clean, complete service history

$115,000.00+GST or wheelchair lift equipped model $125,000.00+GST

4 X 2011/12 HIGER “T SERIES”

6sp manual, Mills Tui 12.5m body, 50 lap sash seat belted recliners, toilet, underfloor bins, towbar, DVD, travelled approx. 260,000klm

12.5m, Cummins ISL320, automatic inc retarder, 57/61 fixed coach seats inc lap sash seat belts, DVD, Thermo King A/C, underfloor bins, travelled approx. 145,000klm

Cummins ISB300, automatic, 57 lap sash seat belted seats, A/C, underfloor bins, travelled approx. 180-220,000klm

$95,000.00+GST

$175,000.00+GST

$85,000+GST each

PLUS MANY MORE, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.roddhoodsbusandcoachsales.com Mobile: 0417 699 980 - Email: rodd.hood@bigpond.com.au LICENSED MOTOR DEALER 3341258

Over 35 years experience in the bus and coach industry busnews.com.au NOVEMBER 2020 ABC

ABC 399 55-59.indd 57

16/11/20 11:14 am

Yutong Bus Centre Melbourne CK

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Lou Riccardi | 0411426 148 | vicsales@yutong.com.au

24 Grasslands Avenue, Craigieburn VIC 3064

CONTACT Phil 03 5623 5377 admin@warragulbuslines.com.au

2000 MERCEDES 0405

50 Seatbelts, Toilet, TV/DVD, Manual

Volgren body, Lowfloor, 2-door, AC

Auto Bus Body, Auto, 53 Seatbelt seats, Air Conditioned.

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ABC NOVEMBER 2020 busnews.com.au

ABC 399 55-59.indd 58

16/11/20 11:14 am

WANT TO ADVERTISE? CALL 03 9567 4154

Bookings for next issue close on Dec 5th 2020

Need a good

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busnews.com.au NOVEMBER 2020 ABC

ABC 399 55-59.indd 59

16/11/20 11:14 am

DELIVERIES

OCTOBER 2020

Deliveries still feeling the pandemic pinch After a solid rise last month, the figures are back in the 70s, exclusive ABC data reveals.

month after bus and coach deliveries seemed to be heading in the right direction, the numbers have eased back to the 70s in October. While 71 is not the lowest figure yet this year (70 in August), it’s down from the more optimistic 85 in September and highlights the ongoing challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. For the chassis sector, in a sign of the times, usual leaders Volvo and Scania recorded 22 and 17 deliveries, respectively. This number remains well down on tallies that often exceeded 40 in the previous year. Mercedes-Benz was next best, but didn’t break into double figures. For the body builders, Volgren can lay claim to an improved month, with its recorded deliveries increasing from 23 in September to 31 in October. Next best was Australian Bus Corporation, whose three brands – Bustech (8), Precision Buses (5) and Elphinstone (4) – combined for 17, down on 24 the month past.

Thermo King retains its grip on the air-conditioning sector, with 40 recorded deliveries in October. Despite well above the chasing pack, this was down five on September. Spheros followed on nine units, just one fewer than the past month. The state charts show some variety, with usual leaders Victoria and NSW chased down by Queensland and WA. Queensland topped the chart with 28 per cent, followed by Victoria and WA neck and neck with 22 per cent. NSW languished in fourth with 13 per cent. Turn overleaf for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for September. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, with their involvement at their discretion.

...state charts show some variety, with usual leaders Victoria and NSW chased down by Queensland and WA.

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

ABC_399_060-61_Bus Deliveries column FC.indd 60

17/11/2020 12:49:00 PM

Volgren can lay claim to an improved month, with its deliveries increasing from 23 in September to 31 in October.

Volgren 31 ABC* 17 Yutong 8 BCI 6 Coach Design 2 Express Coaches 2 Irizar 2 P&D Coachworks 2 Coach Concepts 1

6% 7%

TAS

28% QLD

13% NSW

SALES BY BODY For the body builders, Volgren can lay claim to an improved month, with its recorded deliveries increasing from 23 in September to 31 in October. Next best was Australian Bus Corporation, whose three brands – Bustech (8), Precision Buses (5) and Elphinstone (4) – combined for 17, down on 24 last month.

SALES BY AIR-CONDITIONER

Thermo King 40 Spheros 9 Cling-Yutong 7 Hispacold 7

Percentage by

REGION

N/A Denso MCC Coachair

3 2 2 1

22% WA

24% VIC

VOLVO 22

SCANIA 17

MERCEDES-BENZ 9

YUTONG 8

MAN 6

Sales by chassis

ABC (BUSTECH) 4

For the chassis sector, in a sign of the times, usual leaders Volvo and Scania recorded 22 and 17 deliveries, respectively. This number remains well down on tallies that often exceeded 40 in the previous year. Mercedes-Benz was next best, but didn’t break into double figures.

BCI 4

HINO 1

busnews.com.au November 2020 ABC

ABC_399_060-61_Bus Deliveries column FC.indd 61

17/11/2020 1:02:42 PM

OCTOBER 2020

ENGINES

TRANSM

UNITS

DELIVERIES

CHASSIS

AUST BUS CORP*

MetroTas

TAS

Bustech XDI

Elphinstone

300

Euro 6

BCI

Gosels Bus Service

QLD

Citirider

BCI

300

Euro 5

Kenneth John Bailye

Cruiser 10

BCI

300

Euro 5

Mechanical Mining

Cruiser 10

BCI

285

Euro 5

The Entrance Red Bus Service

NSW

Citirider 12

BCI

300

Euro 5

HINO

N/A

NSW

RN8J

P&D Coachworks

286

Euro 5

MAN

Transit Australia

QLD

RC2 19.320 LE E5

Bustech

320

Euro 5

MERC-BENZ

N/A

VIC

OC500RF E5 1936

Irizar

360

Euro 5

N/A

VIC

O500R

Volgren

300

Euro 5

N/A

QLD

OC500RF E5 1936

BCI

360

Euro 5

N/A

QLD

OC500RF E5 1936

BCI

360

Euro 5

N/A

O500R

Express Coaches

300

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

OC500LE E6

Volgren

360

Euro 6

N/A

NSW

OC500LE E6

Volgren

360

Euro 6

N/A

NSW

OC500LE E6

Volgren

360

Euro 6

N/A

VIC

OC500LE E6

Express Coaches

360

Euro 6

Christians Bus Co

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Coach Design

310

Euro 5

Cranbourne Transit

VIC

K 310 UB4X2

Volgren

310

Euro 5

MANUFACTURER, OPERATOR & LOCATION

SCANIA

VOLVO

YUTONG

(Model)

BODY BUILDER

HP*

Rear / Front

Emissions standard

Dept of Public Transport Infrastructure

K 320 UB4X2

Precision Buses

320

Euro 6

Gillicks Bus Lines

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Irizar

310

Euro 5

L C Dyson's Bus Services Pty Ltd

VIC

K 310 UB4X2

Volgren

310

Euro 5

Ventura Bus Lines

VIC

K 320 UB4X2

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Ventura Bus Lines

VIC

K 310 UB4X2

Volgren

310

Euro 5

Ventura Bus Lines

VIC

K 320 UB4X2

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Ventura Bus Lines

VIC

K 320 UB4X2

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Warrnambool Bus & Motor Co.

VIC

K 320 IB4X2

Coach Design

310

Euro 6

Wimmera Roadways

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Coach Concepts

310

Euro 5

Ronald Down

VIC

B8R

Volgren

330

Euro 5

Maryborough Bus Lines

VIC

B8R

Volgren

330

Euro 5

Clarks Logan City Bus Service

QLD

B8RLE

Bustech

320

Euro 6

CDC Forest Coach Lines

NSW

B8R

Volgren

330

Euro 5

N/A

QLD

B8R

P&D

330

Euro 5

Brisbane City Council

QLD

B8RLE

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Perth Transport Authorities

B8RLE

Volgren

320

Euro 6

N/A

Yutong

140

Euro 5

N/A

Yutong

140

Euro 5

N/A

Yutong

140

Euro 5

N/A

Yutong

140

Euro 5

N/A

D12

Yutong

360

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

T12

Yutong

350

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

Yutong

250

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

Yutong

250

Euro 5

TOTAL DELIVERIES 71 62

A: Auto M: Ma AS: Aut O: Opti

ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au

ABC_399_062-63_Bus Deliveries Table FC.indd 62

17/11/2020 12:43:14 PM

NUMBER OF SEATS

APPLICATION

issions andard

A: Automatic M: Manual AS: Auto-Shift O: Opticruise

AXLES

TRANSMISSION

BODY LENGTH

uro 6

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

uro 5

Thermo King

–

TRANS MAKE

(metres)

SEATING

SEAT BELTS

–

Styleride

–

McConnell

–

AIR-CON (Brand)

Fixed Coach

Recliners

Metro

Long Distance

Charter

City or Route

School

uro 5

10.4

MCC

–

Sege

uro 5

10.40

MCC

–

Sege

uro 5

Denso

–

Ster

uro 5

Denso

–

Styleride

uro 5

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

13.5

Hispacold

–

McConnell

uro 5

12.5

Coachair

–

McConnell

uro 5

13.5

N/A

–

N/A

uro 5

13.5

N/A

–

N/A

uro 5

12.5

N/A

–

N/A

uro 6

13.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

13.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

13.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

13.5

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 5

12.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

12.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

12.5

Hispacold

–

Styleride

uro 5

12.5

Hispacold

–

Sege

uro 5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

12.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

Scania

12.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

Scania

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

12.3

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 5

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 5

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 6

10-12.9

Spheros

–

McConnell

uro 6

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

–

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Spheros

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

Cling-Yutong

–

Styleride

*Australian Bus Corporation (ABC) comprises Bustech (16), Precision Buses (10) and Elphinstone (2). Volgren’s count includes two units from its partnership with Supportrans.

busnews.com.au November 2020 ABC

ABC_399_062-63_Bus Deliveries Table FC.indd 63

17/11/2020 12:43:33 PM

Are YOU e th r o f up

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www.brisbanetruckshow.com.au/NAC

Staged live at Brisbane Truck Show 13-16 May 2021 South Bank Parklands THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 64

16/11/20 10:17 am

THE ALL-NEW FUSO ROSA THE BEST JUST GOT BETTER

• Advanced Emergency Braking System • Pedestrian Detection • Lane Departure Warning Systems • Electronic Stability Programme • Dual Airbags

• • • • •

LED Headlights 22 or 25 seater configuration 129kw/430Nm Euro 6 engine 6-speed AMT or 5-speed Manual Flat Floor

TO SEE HOW THE ALL-NEW ROSA STACKS UP, CALL 07 3275 8711 / VISIT FUSOBRISBANE.COM.AU

CABOOLTURE

BRISBANE GOLD COAST

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 65

67 Lear Jet Drive 07 5431 4200

EAGLE FARM

860 Kingsford Smith Drive 07 3268 8500

ROCKLEA

1699 Ipswich Road 07 3275 8711

BURLEIGH

15-17 Casua Drive 07 5507 6400

16/11/20 10:17 am

everywhere

Are Media publishes across six key platforms to maximise audience reach, engagement and response. For more information, visit industry.aremedia.com.au

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 66

16/11/20 2:15 pm

VEHICLES IN STOCK

MAKE THE MOST OF GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES!

INVEST IN STUDENT TRANSPORT SAFETY V12 - 12.3 METRES WITH UP TO 57+ SEATS V10 - 10.5 METRES WITH UP TO 45+ SEATS ADR approved, belted seats, Mobileye Collision Avoidance system, Funtoro Telematics, lane departure warning, live vehicle tracking, driver & passenger monitoring, reversing cameras.

Greg Sloan m: +61 418 314 642 (International) 0418 314 642 (Australia) e: greg@challengerbusandcoach.com.au w: www.challengerbusandcoach.com.au

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 67

16/11/20 2:00 pm

School/Charter Bus

Custom Denning, an amalgamation of Australia’s two oldest body builders, have been producing quality buses supplied to meet the expectations of the Australian customer. Adventurer is something different, a vehicle that has taken the lessons of reliability and toughness from the past, and combined with today’s technology. Secure your slot today for quick delivery! P: 02 9134 3510 W: custombus.com.au

ABC 399.als - Base Edition 68

Mick Neskes National Sales Manager 0422 224 117 Ben Kiddle Head of Custom Care 0416 331 633

Mick Hall NSW & QLD Sales Manager 0478 768 387

A New Beginning

16/11/20 8:39 am

Australasian Bus & Coach 399 November 2020

Articles inside

operator | near or far

coverstory | hino

In focus | melbourne protest bus

news | the front line

In focus | transdev electric bus

column | BIC

In focus | tfnsw panel 3 buses

In focus | canberra bus rally

editorial | ignition