Australasian Bus & Coach 406 June 2021 by Prime Group

ABC

AUSTRALASIAN BUS & COACH

KEOLIS DOWNER SYDNEY REGION 8 BUSWAYS ELEMENT E-BUS DELIVERY STARTS ADL-BYD NZ 1 MILLION KM MARK REACHED

ISSUE 406 June 2021 $5.95 inc GST

AURORA

AUSTRALIS TRANSDEV’S E-BUS PROJECT DRIVES FORWARD DOWN UNDER

operator: st marys bus, nsw driven: iveco daily guide: passenger info sys

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contents ISSUE 406 JUNE 2021

08 in the know

6. editorial | ignition Kappa, Delta, Gamma, Catherine Zeta – but no official Greek variant yet. Editor Cotter talks lockdowns, emissions and more.

20. bic column

IS YOUR BUSINESS RVSA-READY? How to prepare for the arrival of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018.

in focus

22. In focus | volvo-volgren brisbane 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.

FINAL BRISBANE COUNCIL BUS The last bus of a Volvo-Volgren 12-year bus supply agreement with Brisbane City Council (BCC) has been delivered.

24. In focus | sealink rap

VIBRANT WRAPPED BUSES HIGHLIGHT RECONCILIATION CAUSE Stunningly wrapped buses and fittingly named ferries are spearheading the Sealink Travel Group’s updated indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 26. In focus | cdc kbhac funding

CDC NSW ADDS $750,000 TO ‘STOLEN GENERATIONS’ BUS SUPPORT Not-for-profit Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC)’s community healing efforts will receive $750,000 over three years in support from CDC NSW. 28. In focus | transdev e-bus phase 3

TRANSDEV MELBOURNE E-BUS TRIAL ENTERS ‘PHASE 3’ The third phase of Transdev Melbourne’s e-bus trial is now underway, generating operational data in real-world conditions.

40 4

30. In focus | volvo tafe partnership

E-BUS TRAINING VIA VOLVO AND TAFE PARTNERSHIP

Volvo Bus Australia and TAFE NSW will

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EDITORIAL Editor: Fabian Cotter ph: 0451 194 600 e-mail: Fabian.Cotter@aremedia.com.au Technical Writer: Paul Aldridge

PRODUCTION

Production Co-Ordinator: Cat Fitzpatrick Art Director: Bea Barthelson

Facebook – facebook.com/ABCBusnews YouTube – bit.ly/busandcoachtv Twitter – twitter.com/ABCmag

PRINTING IVE Print

ADVERTISING Group Sales Manager – Industry: Adrian Christian ph: 0423 761 784 e-mail: Adrian.Christian@aremedia.com.au Group Sales Manager – Transport: Peter Gatti ph: 0437 895 600 e-mail: Peter.Gatti@aremedia.com.au VIC Sales: Matt Alexander ph: 00413 599 669 e-mail: Matt.Alexander@aremedia.com.au QLD Sales: Hollie Tinker ph: 0466 466 945 e-mail: Hollie.Tinker@aremedia.com.au SA/WA Sales: Nick Lenthall mobile: 0439 485 835 e-mail: Nick.Lenthall@aremedia.com.au

NSW Sales: Con Zarocostas mobile: 04357 594 238 e-mail: Con.Zarocostas@aremedia.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS

48 develop a new range of specialised industry-based courses specific to the introduction of electric buses in Australia. 32. coverstory | transdev e-mobility

POSITIVELY CHARGED

Selecting, building and running electric buses day to day is one thing, but unless the critically collated data behind what works and what doesn’t marry up to overall public transport success, you’d have to ask: what was the point? Transdev Australasia’s Aurora Project in our region aims to provide that answer, reports Fabian Cotter. 40. operator | st marys bus nsw

FROM THE ASHES

Many small bus and coach companies have been reeling under the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, but there is something good that is happening too. Meet Ehab Ibrahim, who found an opportunity in this otherwise clambering market to realise his longstanding dream of starting a coach business in Australia – St Mary Bus New South Wales. Anjali Behl writes.

48. test drive | iveco shuttle 22

FAR FROM BASIC

With the addition of the Shuttle 22 to its Daily minibus range, Iveco is providing a larger vehicle for standard operations that is far from basic when it comes to safety features. Paul Aldridge gave it a drive. 57. supply lines | passenger information systems Check out our guide to some of the best passenger information system suppliers in the market.

departments

63. bus marketplace | classifieds

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

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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! 70. 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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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

Inconvenient Truths ‘If it looks too good to be true, it probably is’ – heard that? It’s the starting point for many an inconvenient truth.

as the origin of the Covid-19 coronavirus some lab in Wuhan, China? A seemingly belated push from multiple G7 countries now to seek out such truth might just that – belated. And maybe like that scene in 1981’s cinematic epic Raiders of the Lost Ark, where they realise the stick for the ancient headpiece needed to be a bit shorter for the sunlight to accurately shine through it in the ‘map room’, they’ll be “digging in the wrong place”. Why? The ‘virus’ came from the dark recesses of someone’s mind! Or more likely a collection of minds. Or such is what recent media reports imply. News stories across the political divide have been quick to cover the gamut of emails released involving head US medical expert Anthony Fauci – and whether US taxpayer funds were used for ‘gain of function’ research of such a virus. Either way, it’s not a good look. Given the lives lost and financial impact of Covid across the world – particularly God-knows how many small-to-medium business (like bus operators) going under, it’s a topic that’s going to be monitored by billions as this news further unfolds. Will it lead to ‘an inconvenient truth’? If so, will that truth be twisted or glossed over? Time will tell…

THE POLITICS OF GREEN Speaking of inconvenient truths, word around the bus-industry campfire is it would be great if governments in general – regardless of political conviction – had genuinely sought more (if any) counsel from bus and coach manufacturers, when it comes to all things e-mobility and the impact and logistics of it all. With appropriate charging infrastructure to be rolled out en mass as e-fleets increase, and the electric grid implications and costs operators face, or what’s needed to sort hydrogen production and supply effectively, etc., perhaps many manufacturers are caught out a bit by a glut of good and modern diesel product that’s still usable in this region. Product that operators are baulking at buying because of the EV push. Or, conversely, operators baulking at EVs because of the 6

above. Anyway, just their ‘two cents’ worth’. My two cents? Get your cash registers out. So, there’s a lot of talk about carbon emissions, but not much worldwide about carbon ‘absorption’, Or nothing near parity. That is, there’s no point trying to reduce carbon emissions if we aren’t properly protecting large tracts of the planet that can absorb it – like rainforrests (ie. The Amazon). Or is emissions reductions just targeteing ‘cleaner’ city air to woo votes? Hope not.

FINAL DESTINATION Also, in more than 10 years of looking, I can’t really find any convincing rationale for large-scale vehicle battery recycling. Reuse, yes! I’m au fait with residential ex-bus battery stacks – like computer hard drive NAS does for data storage – but what happens after that – the recycling? I found one company that’s interestingly trialling micro-nutrients/fertiliser from used alkaline batteries on a wheat field, but is there anything like that for lithium-based commercial vehicle batteries? Or is future toxic landfill – which kind of defeats the purpose – the only upshot of e-bus batteries and e-mobility overall? Hmm... Any companies in the battery recycling field? I’m all ears. PS: And don’t start me on child slave labour for mining battery metals in some countries, either! Gees...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Amongst the 76 pages cover-to-cover of Issue 406 of ABC magazine is a slightly different mix, covering topics, tech and pure emotions permeating the Australasian bus industry at present. Transdev Australasia’s Aurora Project, which is its long-planned strategy to bring e-mobility to its public transport structure ‘Down Under’, kicks things off. With some key partners such as Volgren and ABB, there will be lots more coming out of the Aurora project, so we’ll keep you abreast of what’s what as it all unfolds. Check the current story out pages 32–38. Further in we visit a bus operator with a very interesting story. St Mary Bus NSW, with a solid commercial vehicles background backed by driver training expertise, had a long-held passion to ‘get

into buses and run a bus company’ - which has now come good for Sydney operator Ehab Ibrahim. He was able to pick up a few cool buses with the market down, be it from others retiring or otherwise. It hasn’t all been easy going for the ‘start-up’, but you’ve got to applaud his commitment and determination to follow a bus dream, and his call for governments to help the smaller operators by helping steer some of the contract work away from bigger players should strike a chord with many such operators doing it tough out there in the field. Check out his story pages 40–46. Test drives? You got it! A new and interesting combatant in the very critical MaaS/on-demand bus segment. The recently released Iveco Daily Shuttle 22 prides itself on safety, room, efficiency and a host of other benefits to operators. Our tester Paul Aldridge was lucky enough to be in Melbourne to drive it and a few others just before things when pear-shaped in that state, That’s on 48–54. Quite a few In Focuses this issue, There’s Transdev’s e-bus trial entering ‘Phase 3’; Volvo and TAFE NSW have teamed up to start some inspired e-bus training courses; both Transit Systems’ blindingly awesome Indigenous-themed buses and CDC NSW’s $750,000 commitment over three years to the Kinchela Boys’ Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) are noble moves in honouring the ‘Stolen Generation’ and pursuing Aboriginal ‘reconciliation’ objectives in the modern arena. Check all those out starting from page 22. Our 2021 guide to passenger information systems and May deliveries data rounds things out. And that’s game. The Victorian lockdown’s just ended, but it’s been tough on our compadres, so I’ll be raising a glass or two in their honour. With mental health what it is, if there’s anything really getting anyone down and you are desperate for a good listener – I’m your man. Just drop me a line. I’ll just grunt and mumble in agreement and just hear you out. Easy peasy. The flipside? You might have to listen to my depressing stuff, so be warned. And trust me, I’m pretty sure I’d win. ;) Until the next thrilling instalment…

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NEWS

KEOLIS DOWNER LANDS SYDNEY CONTRACT KEOLIS DOWNER has announced that it will be operating and maintaining Sydney Region 8 bus services in a $900 million contract from Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) The French-Australian busoperating joint venture will be running bus services in the Northern Beaches and the lower North Shore areas for eight years from October 31, 2021, TfNSW has announced. The ‘partnership’ with TfNSW aims to “deliver innovative transport solutions in Sydney’s Northern beaches as the future bus operator”, states Keolis Downer. Global law firm Ashurst has advised Keolis Downer on the tender. According to the company, Keolis

Downer will work closely with TfNSW to deliver a range of initiatives to further enhance the journey experience of customers, across all aspects of the service. The contract will see the introduction of 125 electric buses over the next eight years, delivering more sustainable transport options for the local community from two newly electrified depots in Brookvale and Mona Vale, it confirms. Keolis Downer will also introduce innovative headway technology to further increase the reliability and quality of service of the successful B-Line, it explains. The popular on-demand transport service known as

Keoride will also become a permanent part of the network, it adds.

SMOOTH TRANSITION

Above: Keolis Downer will introduce technology to further increase the reliability and quality of service of the successful B-Line, it states. Above: The contract will mean the introduction of 125 electric buses during the next eight years.

Keolis Downer is delighted to partner with TfNSW to deliver positive public transport outcomes to the local communities in the Northern beaches and the lower North Shore, it states. Keolis Downer’s priority is to ensure a smooth transition of all the employees and maintain high standards of customer experience and operations, it says. Additionally, it is focused on introducing global innovations like headway services, new electric buses, and ‘wayfinding’ improvements that will deliver more connected and sustainable

“We will introduce new service technology to enable staff to actively manage routes and monitor bus running times, improving the frequency of bus services.” 8

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journeys, it says. “We are very proud to partner with TfNSW to support the future growth and transformation of the Northern Beaches,” said Keolis Downer CEO David Franks. “Drawing on our experience locally and globally, we will launch a range of new initiatives to enhance the customer experience building from the already excellent bus services in the area. “We will introduce new service technology to enable staff to actively manage routes and monitor bus running times, improving the frequency of bus services. “We are also very excited to continue to deliver the highly successful on-demand transport service, which we have been operating in the area since 2017. “We look forward to further engaging with the community to deliver a safe, efficient and reliable transport system that supports the liveability and future prosperity of this vibrant, growing region,” Franks said.

ABOUT KEOILS DOWNER Keolis Downer is a leading operator of public transport services in Australia, it states. With 4,900 employees and a presence in five states, Keolis Downer enables 250 million passenger journeys per year, it confirms. The company operates and maintains the integrated network in Newcastle; the largest tram network in the world in Melbourne (Yarra Trams); the light-rail network on the Gold Coast (G:link); and 1,000 buses in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, it states. It also operates and maintains the Adelaide Metro train services, it adds. Established in 2009, Keolis Downer is a joint venture between Keolis, a leading public transport operator established in 15 countries, and Downer, the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand, it says.

STRONG INTEREST FOR 2021 SYDNEY BUS AND COACH EXPO EXCITIMENT IS BUILDING and strong interest is being shown for the forthcoming 2021 Australasia Bus and Coach Expo, being held Wednesday 29 to Thursday 30 September at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, organisers have announced. BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld confirms there has been strong exhibitor and visitor interest for the 2021 Expo, which is returning to Sydney after five years. “On the back of the successful 2019 Melbourne Expo, the Sydney event this year promises to be another world-class exhibition for the Australasian bus and coach industry,” Threlkeld said. The Expo will include more than $50 million-worth of vehicles and in excess of 100 exhibition booths displaying products and services, covering 14,000 square metres and all under the one roof, according to BusNSW. Approximately 90 per cent of vehicle display areas and 70 per cent of booths have been sold, so there are limited opportunities remaining for industry suppliers to exhibit their products and services, it adds. “The Expo will have free entry to optimise attendance by key decision makers representing bus and coach operators, large and small,” Threlkeld explained.

for all levels of government, says BusNSW. “The NSW minister for transport and roads has challenged Transport for NSW to transition the state’s fleet of 8,000 contracted buses to zero-emission technology by 2030, and we are pleased that Transport for NSW is proudly supporting the 2021 Australasia Bus & Coach Expo,” Threlkeld said. “This year’s Expo will have a significant number of electric buses on display,” he added. Operators, suppliers and industry stakeholders can keep well informed in the lead-up to the event via the official Expo website: www.busandcoachexpo.com.au

DIARY DATES Online registration for social events, including a welcome function on Tuesday, September 28, and industry gala dinner on Wednesday, September 29, will open soon via the Expo website, BusNSW states. “If buses or coaches are your business, mark Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 September 2021 in your calendar and start planning your visit to the Sydney Expo today,” Threlkeld advised. Suppliers interested in exhibiting can register online at: www. busandcoachexpo.com.au, or contact BusNSW directly via telephone on (02) 8839 9500.

HIGH PRIORITY The Covid-safe event is being held at a time when public transport and the transition to zero-emission technology is a high priority

Above: The 2021 Australasia Bus and Coach Expo will be returning to Sydney after five years.

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NEWS

“Today we will set in motion a plan that will put pressure on the NSW government to take responsibility for safety and fairness throughout the bus industry,” TWU NSW Branch secretary Richard Olsen said.

NSW UNION PUTS BUS DRIVER CONDITIONS IN SPOTLIGHT THE NSW STATE GOVERNMENT must “take responsibility for wages and conditions throughout the contracts it awards to private bus companies” and these should be “awarded on decent, secure jobs and safe conditions, not low cost”, according to the Transport Workers Union’s (TWU) NSW Branch, recently. The union’s branch delegates from several bus companies today voted in May to endorse a plan that includes a readiness to take industrial action to improve pay, superannuation and safety, it announced. Included in the bus drivers’ claim are provisions such as: realistic timetables so drivers aren’t forced to rush; working hours to manage fatigue; and strong safety committees. TWU NSW Branch secretary Richard Olsen led the vote from the bus delegates at the union’s Minchinbury office, stating the plan is about “lifting standards to ensure fairness and keep bus drivers, passengers and other road users safe”. “Bus drivers provide an essential service to our communities. Over the last year, while most of us isolated, bus drivers risked their own health to get passengers to supermarkets, Covid testing clinics and now vaccination centres,” Olsen said. 10

“As our economy recovers, it does so off the backs of bus drivers getting people to work and kids to school. “The NSW government relies on these jobs and bus drivers take pride in doing them. “Of course, any industrial action can cause major disruption, but when bus drivers are under pressure to run to tight schedules and companies say they can’t afford to pay drivers fair wages or provide safe conditions, there is only one solution. “Today, we will set in motion a plan that will put pressure on the NSW government to take responsibility for safety and fairness throughout the bus industry,” Olsen said.

ALARMING STATS According to TWU, citing the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport, 113 people have been killed in bus crashes in Australia in the past five years. Bus drivers are frequently subjected to attacks by passengers and members of the public, it explains. Last year, a TWU member was deliberately coughed on by a passenger who said he had coronavirus after he couldn’t pay the fare, it outlined. The TWU NSW branch successfully campaigned for spit screens to be installed in buses following this and

other reports of passengers spitting on drivers during the pandemic, it says.

SURVEY DATA According to a 2019 TWU NSW bus survey: • 84 per cent of drivers face verbal abuse from passengers • 81 per cent [are] experiencing verbal abuse daily • 74 per cent of drivers have faced regular abuse when enforcing Opal card rules. ABC magazine (www.busnews.com) contacted NSW transport minister Andrew Constance’s office and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) for a response at the time of the announcement. A TfNSW spokesperson responded: “Transport for NSW acknowledges the important role of front line transport workers in delivering services to customers and communities across NSW. “Negotiations on Enterprise Agreements are a matter between the union and the operator. “There are established safety requirements for the operation and delivery of bus services, and we expect these to be complied with. “We encourage all parties to work together constructively and we will be monitoring any negotiations closely.”

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BUS COLLISION-REPAIR INDUSTRY STALWART RETIRES Retirement has called on Wales Truck and Bus Repairs stalwart and collision-repair key figure Sam Travato, who, after more than 50 years, leaves the company and greater bus industry, Wales announced recently. Travato has been instrumental in his guidance, work ethic and industry knowledge for the growth of Wales Bus Repairs for the past seven years, confirms Wales CEO Darren Wales, adding that his departure will be keenly felt amongst the Wales team. “His dedication and service levels to our client base has been beyond reproach,” Wales stated. “We wish Sam all the very best with his future endeavours of retirement and beyond and add that he will be sorely missed – both here at Wales Bus Repairs

and the bus industry in general. “We are holding a casual farewell for Sam at Wales Bus Repairs on the 2nd July for anyone wishing to come say ‘happy retirement’,” Wales said. Wales Bus repairs – a seminal institution within the Australian bus and truck and collision-repair industries – has been a part of the massive AMA Group since mid-2019.

ABOUT AMA The AMA Group – with its Gemini Accident Repair Centres head office located in Bundall, Queensland – is a leader in the automotive aftercare and accessories market, it states. Each of its specialised automotive aftercare and accessory companies have a commitment to excellence in customer service, cost-effective operations, and sector-leading brands, it explains.

AMA is Australia’s largest accident repairer business and owns and operates in excess of 180 accident repair facilities and 10 heavy motor facilities Australia-wide.

Above: Sam Travato will be leaving Wales Truck and Bus Repairs after 50 years.

BUS SAFETY WARNING AMID ROAD-RULES ‘FORGETFULNESS’ TRANSDEV AUSTRALIASIA reminded motorists to give way and share the road with buses, light rail and other public transport services as part of National Road Safety Week (May 17–23). With the company citing 2021 research from vehicle manufacturer Ford Australia that suggests many drivers aren’t as familiar with road rules as they were before the pandemic – with many parts of the country staying off the roads and at home during part of 2020 – Transdev

Right: Safety on the road is the responsibility of every road user, says Transdev Australasia chief safety and assurance officer Huw Bridges.

Australasia chief Safety and Assurance officer Huw Bridges says everyone had a role to play in helping to keep roads safe. “Safety on the road is the responsibility of every road user,” Bridges stated. “Our responsibility is to train and help our drivers to be the safest they can be on the road. It’s a collective responsibility we share with private road users, and we encourage everyone to know the rules and to their bit to keep people safe.”

Nationally, it is a requirement for passenger vehicles to give way to buses, and all passenger transport vehicles display a distinctive driver-side sticker advising of the rule. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should take extra caution around train and light rail crossings and motorists should never turn in front of a light rail vehicle.

ADDITIONAL DISTANCE Bridges explains that by being much smaller and lighter than bus, train or light rail vehicles, passenger vehicles often sustained greater chances of damage or injury in the event of a collision. “Light-rail vehicles weigh the equivalent of 30 rhinos and the average bus weighs the same as three African elephants, and they do need additional distance to stop or manoeuvre,” he said. “Our teams across the country work with schools, road users and government to deliver education and training to ensure that safety remains top of mind.” busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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NEWS

BUS DRIVER BEHAVIOUR ‘ON THE RADAR’: TRANSIT SYSTEMS NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK – May 17–23, 2021 – was acknowledged at Transit Systems’ Morphettville, South Australia, bus depot where both Transit Systems and Torrens Connect team members hosted a morning tea with special guest speaker Peter Frazer, president of Safer Australian Roads and Highways. On February 15, 2012, Frazer’s daughter, Sarah, was killed in a completely avoidable road crash on the Hume Highway south of Sydney.

As a consequence of this tragedy, he and his family decided they would contribute to improving road safety outcomes through their policy development, community education as well as their advocacy work, Sealink Travel Group-owned Transit Systems explains. With in excess of 5,120 drivers and support staff at the company, National Road Safety Week is a time to put all driver behaviour “on the radar”, according to Seal ink Travel Group CEO Clint Feuerherdt.

Above: Sealink CEO Clint Feuerherdt (left) and Peter Frazer, president of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (right).

“We can all help reduce the chances of an avoidable accident occurring,” he said. “As public transport providers, road safety is crucial given most of our team spend the majority of their time out on the road each and every day. “National Road Safety week serves as an important reminder to us all to eliminate distractions, be alert at all times and keep safety front of mind while we are behind the wheel or near roads and vehicles. “It’s not just about our drivers, it’s road safety; it’s being an aware driver, an alert cyclist and a mindful pedestrian,” Feuerherdt stated.

SIGNING UP Feuerherdt signed the pledge and says Transit Systems encourages its drivers and other road users to be safe, and to give other drivers the room they need to be safe. “We’re saying – drive as though your loved ones are on the road ahead. We all share the road, so we are all responsible for driving safely,” he said. “Being a safe driver means driving to the conditions of the road environment and being ready to take action at any time.”

100 MB CITARO HYBRID BUS ORDER FOR ROME ITALIAN public transport operator Atac is to take delivery of 100 Mercedes-Benz hybrid Citaro buses in three instalments later this year, MB has announced. The order – including a 10-year service contract that sees Daimler Buses take care of maintenance in the customer’s workshop – will be rolled out between June and the European autumn, 2021. Atac is one of Europe’s largest municipal transport companies based in Rome, Italy. Its hybrid bus delivery is part of an ambitious investment program to modernise Atac’s bus fleet in Italy’s capital. As one of the company’s goals is to significantly reduce

pollutant emissions, the Citaro hybrid reduces fuel consumption and emissions considerably, MB explains. Daimler’s EvoBus Italia CEO and president Heinz Friedrich said: “We are delighted with this large-scale order from Rome, the Italian capital. We are supplying Atac with a city bus equipped with the most efficient and sustainable technology in the segment.” The new vehicles are painted Amaranth Red and have a band that runs around the upper section of the bus that reads: “+ Bus x Rom + Bus x Rom” – which stands for “more buses for Rome”. The single-deck city buses for Atac are equipped with two passenger doors and are

fully air-conditioned, MB says. A protective glass driver’s cab door prevents close contact between the passengers and driver, which protects the driver from infections, it adds. Both the air conditioning system and the air conditioner housing are fitted with anti-viral active filters.

Above: The singledeck city buses for Atac are equipped with two passenger doors and are fully airconditioned.

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NZ ADL-BYD E-BUSES AMASS ONE MILLION ZERO-EMISSION KMS NEW FLYER subsidiary Alexander Dennis’ New Zealand-running electric buses – using BYD e-chassis – have completed more than one million kilometres of zero-emission operation, saving 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in doing so, ADL confirms recently. The manufacturer has supplied 18 ADL-BYD based Enviro200EV electric buses to transport authorities and operators in New Zealand to date, with more on order as the country prepares to fully decarbonise its public transport bus fleet by 2035, it states. The biggest carbon reduction has been achieved by the fleet of initially six, later eight, electric buses operated by Fullers360 on Auckland Transport services in Waiheke Island, which have prevented the emission of 300 tonnes of CO2 in just eight months, ADL confirms.

NZ Bus saved 290 tonnes with five buses in Tauranga and Ritchies 270 tonnes with three buses in Christchurch, while the two trial buses that Auckland Transport has been using in the central business district have cut out 140 tonnes of CO2 emissions since their launch in 2018, the company explains. ADL recently announced it will assemble zero-emission buses locally in NZ, renewing a partnership with local manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders, it confirms. The company’s electric buses for New Zealand are part of the BYD-chassis Enviro200EV-bodied range using latest BYD iron phosphate battery and driveline technology, ADL states. ADL general manager for New Zealand, Tony Moore, said: “Although our fleet of electric buses is small by international standards, as we

Above: ADL’s NZ-running e-buses have saved 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over one million kilometres, it says.

approach World Environment Day it is heartening to see their contribution to tackling the global challenge of climate change. “Their continued impact will be further amplified as we deliver more and more electric buses.”

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NEWS

The buses will be charged via state-of-the-art charging infrastructure on route and overnight depot charging. The Hess pilot vehicle for the Brisbane Metro project, a lighTram 25, is scheduled to begin its trial in Brisbane in 2022.

GREATER CAPACITY

VOLGREN’S PARTNER HESS IN MAJOR SWISS E-BUS CONTRACT FOLLOWING its Brisbane Metro contract win in 2019, Swiss vehicle manufacturer Hess has been awarded a share of a major e-bus tender from public transport operator BVB (Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe) in Basel, Switzerland, the company confirmed recently. As part of the city’s conversion to an all-electric bus fleet, BVB is purchasing 62 e-buses from

manufacturers Hess and EvoBus (Schweiz) AG for around 65 million Swiss francs (A$93.5 million). The e-buses are scheduled to go into operation from between autumn 2022 and spring 2023, BVB explains. Hess will design and deliver eight of its 24.7-metre bi-articulated electric buses, the lighTram 25, which are similar to those that will be used in the Brisbane Metro project.

Above: Artist’s Impression of the lighTram 25, courtesy of Brisbane City Council.

Naef says the lighTram 25 will be used to ease congestion on Basel’s popular airport service, which has reached peak capacity in recent years. “The response to the increase in demand has been to increase the frequency of services. However, further increases in service frequency are no longer possible because there is a risk that the buses will start to hinder each other.” The solution to the problem of overcrowding, Naef says, is larger vehicles with greater capacity. “With a length of 25 metres, about six metres longer than the previous diesel buses, the lighTram 25 provides more space for passengers and luggage, as well as generous areas for pushchairs or passengers with reduced mobility,” he explained.

BUSWAYS RECEIVES FIRST CUSTOM-DENNING ELEMENT E-BUS SYDNEY-BASED operator Busways recently received the first of an order of six Custom-Denning Element electric buses, the company officialy announced recently. In keeping with the NSW government’s plan to electrify the state’s bus fleet by 2030, minister for transport and roads Andrew Constance says the Element electric bus, built by Custom Denning, will be the first electric bus “entirely manufactured” in NSW. “We are another step closer to creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, thanks to Custom Denning manufacturing electric buses at its factory in St Marys,” minister Constance said. “Custom’s Element electric bus has undergone a thorough assessment and I am excited to see it now included on a list of electric buses available to Transport for NSW’s bus operators. “Busways has already placed an order 14

for six new electric buses from Custom, and I look forward to many more local bus companies taking up the opportunity to support local manufacturing and local jobs.”

CAPACITY, JOBS Custom Bus Group (Custom Denning) managing director Scott Dunn says Custom has been building buses in Sydney for more than 65 years, and has built more than 700 diesel buses for the NSW government during the past 10 years. “There are currently 12 people working on the electric bus project; however, we have the capacity to build around 400 buses each year in our current factory and this could create more than 300 jobs,” said Dunn. “The Element electric bus will be able to operate for around 22 hours on a single four-hour charge, and are cheaper to maintain and operate than their diesel

Above: The Element electric bus will be able to operate for around 22 hours on a single four-hour charge.

counterparts. Busways managing director Byron Rowe added: “Busways was Custom Denning’s first non-government customer and we have been buying high-quality, reliable buses from them since 1958. “We’ve been trialling the Element bus in the Penrith area for the last month and we are excited to be receiving our first order in the coming months.”

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the results are in line with the company’s strategy to grow its audience across print and digital platforms to enable advertisers to reach as many in-market buyers as possible and thereby maximise response. “Our publishing model is platform-agnostic: we publish all content – whether it’s classifieds or our market-leading editorial – across all platforms and let the audience decide where and when they consume it,” he said.

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AUSTRALASIAN BUS & COACH (ABC) has reinforced its long-held position as the region’s largest-circulating bus and coach industry magazine, achieving an audited circulation of 3,312 copies per issue in the six months to March 31, 2021, new Circulation Audit Bureau (CAB) figures show. Since 1957, the CAB has been providing advertisers, marketers and media buyers with verified distribution data on free and controlled circulation magazines, delivering credibility to the media industry. ABC is the

only Australian bus and coach magazine to subject itself to the official audit. Bolstering its overall audience reach, ABC’s digital platform www.BusNews.com. au attracted an all-time record 38,866 visitors in May, up 23.7 per cent on the previous month and 24.5 per cent on the same month of 2020. Year-to-date (YTD) visitors are up 26.6 per cent on the comparable period of last year. Graham Gardiner, group publisher – industry at Are Media, ABC’s publisher, says

SOLID SUPPORT Fabian Cotter, ABC magazine editor, says the YoY online growth, particularly during recent tumultuous times for the Australasian bus and coach industry, shows solid brand loyalty from readers, of which the title is truly humbled by. “In terms of pure readership, the solid interest in all things bus as we push on through out of the pandemic has been remarkable. “ABC merely endeavours to cover a discerning spectrum of local and global bus news and product development that mirrors the state of play, for an accurate snapshot that bus lovers and industry aficionados can relate to at the time, all the time. “We thank them for their ongoing support,” he said.

FORTHCOMING VOLVO E-BUS TARGETS OZ LONGEVITY A CAUTIOUS AND CONSIDERED approach towards electro-mobility for Australian conditions bodes well for Volvo’s 2022-due BZL electric bus’s long-term success here, following company statements in the lead-up to its 2021 Sydney Bus Show launch this September. Highlighting its decade-long journey into electro-mobility locally following its hybrid bus product introduction, the company is proud to have taken the time to ‘set things up properly’ as a solid foundation for the BZL e-bus in Australia. “The BZL is made for a long life on the road, in line with Australian standards and our customer’s expectations of what Volvo product durability will be: it’s a chassis designed for the long-haul,” said Volvo Bus

Australia general manager Mitch Peden. “We take great pride in that our electric bus offering will be introduced to the Australian market at the right time; we’re taking time to set up long-term partnerships in the e-mobility space, we’re implementing specialised training – ultimately we’re busy ensuring this product is the highest quality, has the highest safety standards, and will last in the Australian environment,” Peden explained. Preparing to see both its hybrid chassis and fully electric chassis enter the market within less than 10 years of each other is largely due to the “astute guidance and leadership” of VBA’s primary electro-mobility expert and engineer Dean Moule, the company says. “We embarked on the next phase of the electro-mobility project

with the electric chassis in 2016 by scoping out what we wanted to do and how we would achieve it, in order to meet the expectations of our marketplace,” stated Moule. For both the B5L S-Charge hybrid and BZL electric chassis projects, the similarity of goals were extensive time and resources invested in creating a quality, safe and reliable product, Moule outlines.

Above: (L-R) Volvo Bus Australia e-mobility team: Mark Fryer, Dean Moule and Sam Compasso.

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THE WOT!?!

BATTERY WOES

With electric buses becoming increasingly popular, questions are going to be asked about what caused this fire that wiped out a line of them in China, recently. Located on a university campus in southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, smoke was seen pouring from one bus early in the morning, believed to be a battery malfunction, before bursting into flames. The fire then quickly spread along the parked line of buses, destroying four before firefighters could put it out.

CHARGING AHEAD

In happier electric bus news, First Bus has announced that work has begun at its Caledonia depot in Glasgow – the largest bus depot in the UK – on turning it into a huge electric charging hub. With plans to have a completely emission-free fleet by 2035, the Glasgow depot will eventually have capacity to charge 300 buses on site. The first phase of the project will see 11 dual DC rapid charging units installed and a further 69 planned for later in the year.

SOCIAL SCENE

Showing perfectly how buses can bring people together, the Social Enterprise Council of NSW and ACT (SECNA) decided to try something different recently with a bus tour around Sydney to explore the work of social enterprises in the city. SECNA’s inaugural Social Enterprise Bus Tour took philanthropists, corporate employees, government officials and social enterprise leaders to over 20 Sydney businesses to discuss how to achieve greater diversity, sustainability and inclusiveness in society. Sydney deputy lord mayor Jess Scully says the tour was a way to showcase the work going on behind the scenes and that the bus tour is a way, “...to take people right to [the heart of] those places”. More info can be found at: www.secna.org.au

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City mascot Wilhelm with a new Quantron bus for Weilheim public utility company.

ELECTRIC ‘MIDIBUSES’ WIN GERMAN MUNICIPALITY TENDER PUBLIC TRANSPORT has become “more environmentally friendly and attractive” in German municipality Stadtwerke Weilheim after five new ‘e-midibuses’ were chosen for its City Bus 2022 tender, it announced recently. The five Atak EVs that municipal enterprise Stadtwerke Weilheim i.OB KU chose are from supplier Quantron AG Augsburg/Gersthofen. Stadtwerke Weilheim had presented its City Bus 2022 concept several times, and the city council then passed the basic resolution on November 19, 2020 that: from January 1, 2022, Stadtwerke Weilheim will be “in charge of operating the city bus”. Head of Stadtwerke Weilheim Peter Müller said: “Our preparations for this are in full swing. “An important point of our ‘City bus 2022’ concept is that we want to operate public transport in Weilheim in a more environmentally-friendly way, not just a theoretical example, but a practical example of more climate protection.” According to the concept, the current diesel buses will be replaced by battery-electric midibuses. For the procurement of the five new battery-electric midibuses, the municipality had issued a Europewide invitation to tender at the 18

end of February, 2021, it confirms. “After the end of the bidding and clarification of several detailed questions, the best bidder – the company Quantron AG in Augsburg/ Gersthofen – was awarded the contract for the delivery of five Atak electric buses at the end of April,” he explained. Müller signed the corresponding contract together with Andreas Haller,

appropriate charging infrastructure; as well as rental, financing and leasing offers and driver training, it explains. Quantron AG also sells batteries and integrated customised electrification concepts to manufacturers of commercial vehicles, machinery and intra-logistics vehicles, it adds. According to the company Augsburg, in Bavaria, it is a, “…pioneer and

“We want to operate public transport in Weilheim in a more environmentally friendly way.” CEO of Quantron AG, on May 11, 2021, at the new headquarters of the supplier of the modern electric midibuses in Augsburg/Gersthofen.

ABOUT QUANTRON Quantron AG is a system provider of clean battery and hydrogen-powered e-mobility for commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and vans, it states. In addition to new electric vehicles, the range of services offered includes the electrification of used and existing vehicles; the creation of individual overall concepts, including the

innovation driver for e-mobility in passenger, transport and freight traffic.” It has a network of 700 service partners and the comprehensive knowledge of qualified experts in the fields of power electronics and battery technology, through its cooperation with CATL, the world’s largest battery producer, it confirms. Quantron AG, as a high-tech spin-off of the renowned Haller GmbH, combines 138 years of commercial vehicle experience with state-ofthe-art e-mobility know-how, the company states.

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BIC

Is your business RVSA-ready? Ensure you’re prepared for the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018.

he Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) will replace the existing Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA) on July 1, 2021. The implementation of RVSA is complex and will see increased accountability on designers, manufacturers, suppliers and importers to comply with standards and regulations. The BIC Secretariat wishes to remind bus manufacturers and component suppliers of the following key information and dates. This user guide applies to the following businesses that are a: • holder of identification plate approval/s (IPAs), or is seeking to apply for vehicle type approval (VTAs); • holder of component registration number/s (CRNs), or is seeking to apply for component type approvals (CTAs); • holder of sub assembly registration number/s (SARNs), or is seeking to apply for component type approvals (CTAs); • currently registered test facility, or wishes to be a registered test facility in the new RVS system.

SIMPLIFIED GUIDE

Below: The Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 will come into effect on July 1, 2021.

• Road vehicle standards legislation (RVSA) full commencement date: July 1, 2021. Refer to infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/rvs/index.aspx • Implementation transitional period: 12 months from the commencement date. • RVSA introduces two type-approval pathways – VTAs and CTAs. VTAs replace IPAs and eligible holders of IPAs may ‘opt-in’ to become VTA holders.

“The implementation of RVSA is complex and will see increased accountability on designers, manufacturers, suppliers and importers.”

• VTAs can remain valid for up to seven years (opted-in VTAs are valid for up to five years – see below). For a guide to VTAs, refer to: infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/ rvs/vehicle-type-approvals/index.aspx • IPA holders may opt-in at any time in the six-month period from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. (A benefit of opt-in is that it is a simpler application process and allows the use of existing test reports, CRNs and SARNs). • While an IPA approval holder can rely on existing CRNs and SARNs to opt-in, if a new/different chassis or approved component were to be added to the opted-in approval, it would need a CTA (see below). For a guide to opt-in arrangements refer to: infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/rvs/vehicle-typeapprovals/opt-in-arrangements.aspx • Component type approvals: CRNs and SARNs are being replaced by CTAs. Applications for CTAs are now open (CRNs/SARNs cannot opt-in). Test reports for a CTA application must be from an approved testing facility (see below). For a guide to component type approvals refer to: infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/ rvs/component-type-approvals.aspx • Existing CRNs and SARNs: continue to remain valid during the transitional period for IPA holders who chose not to opt-in (including for any IPA amendments); continue to remain valid for five years for approvals that opted-in using CRN/ SARN evidence; and cannot be used for any RVSA applications (i.e. new applications after July 1, 2021). • Testing facilities: applications for testing facility approvals are open now. Where a testing facility applies for approval before July 1, 2021, its first annual levy of $970 will be waived. For a guide to testing facilities refer to: infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/rvs/ testing-facilities • Validity of test reports (RVSA-approved testing facility): if a testing facility is approved under the RVSA, existing test reports remain valid as long as the testing facility remains approved under the RVSA. Any testing conducted under an RVSA testing facility approval will remain valid even if the approval subsequently lapses.

OTHER USEFUL INFO • Current testing facility approvals and component type approvals can be found at: https://rover.infrastructure. gov.au (a search function will be added soon) • Legislation guide and resources: infrastructure.gov. au/vehicles/rvs/rvs_legislation_guides_and_resources. aspx • Glossary of terms: infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/rvs/ rvs_glossary_of_terms.aspx • Members are also encouraged to subscribe to the RVS news update found at: infrastructure.gov.au/ vehicles/rvs/subscribe.aspx 20

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IN FOCUS

VOLVO-VOLGREN BRISBANE

FINAL VOLVOVOLGREN BRISBANE COUNCIL CONTRACT BUS DELIVERED The last bus of a Volvo-Volgren 12-year bus supply agreement with Brisbane City Council (BCC) was delivered recently.

ith the occasion marked officially at Volgren’s Eagle Farm production facility, the now symbolic Bus 882 capped off a successful 12-year council supply run, which amassed almost 900 vehicles delivered from the collaborative bus duo, the companies confirm. The handover event featured the last of the locally-built buses to leave the company’s Eagle Farm facility, as well as the very first bus – a Volvo B7RLE – built in 2009. Volgren has been operating as prime contractor to BCC in partnership with 22

leading chassis manufacturer Volvo. Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro says the partnership has, and will always be, an integral part of the company’s history. “We are grateful for the trust that Brisbane City Council has shown in us for 12 years as prime contractor, and for more than two decades in total. “We are also incredibly proud to have been given the opportunity to manufacture in Brisbane. “This bus, just like more than 800 before it, were made by Queenslanders for Queenslanders. And our partnership with [Brisbane] Council will endure.

“We believe that when you choose Volgren, you don’t purchase a product, you purchase a relationship. Product supply is just one element of that relationship; we have a multi-skilled fully functional aftersales team based at Eagle Farm. They are only a phone call away.”

VEHICLE EXCELLENCE Deiro says Volgren was doubly appreciative of the BCC partnership, which not only helped to bring about a vibrant bus-building supply chain in Queensland, but helped Volgren improve its products. “We believe we have helped Brisbane City

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Council develop and maintain one of the country’s leading and modern fleet of buses. In return, they have contributed valuably to the success and excellence of our vehicles,” he explained. “Our Optimus is our flagship bus and we aim to make our next Optimus better than our last. We are continually making improvements, and many of the standard features have come from recommendations that were originally modifications specific to Brisbane.” Transport for Brisbane manager – engineering and assets – Karl Hain said: “Our collaborative partnership has seen several key product improvements for safety, customer and environmental outcomes. “Fitting fire suppression, setting industry best practice for emergency exits, USB charging points and the introduction of Euro 6 low-emission vehicles have been key improvements along the journey.” Deiro adds he was hopeful that Volgren’s strong presence in, and outstanding knowledge of, the Queensland market would stand it in good stead when any future BCC bus tenders were announced. “Volgren has a proud history of supplying high-quality buses to all of Queensland and we have built up a dedicated team of specialist bus body builders and more than 20 local suppliers. “As Australia transitions to zero-emission buses, led by operators such as Brisbane City Council, we believe we’re well placed to supply the next generations of on-road public transport vehicles to operators in this state and across the country.”

TIME FOR REFLECTION Volvo Bus Australia (VBA) reflected on more than a decade of successful partnership with BCC and Volgren Australia. With close to 80 million passenger movements annually, across more than 400 bus routes, BCC is a major provider of public transport services – with VBA at the forefront of supporting BCC through the supply of safe, reliable and environmentally friendly vehicles and servicing, it states.

Throughout the decades, BCC grew its small fleet of 11 buses to one that now boasts more than 1,200 vehicles, it confirms. VBA has proudly been a part of BCC’s journey throughout this time, after official awarding in 2008 of the initial three-year contract to supply chassis to BCC, it states. VBA would soon go on to have its supply contract extended for a further nine years and would continue to deliver buses with its long-time body-build partner, and BCC’s prime contractor, Volgren, Volvo explains.

MODEL BREADTH Since 2008, VBA and Volgren have together delivered 882 buses to BCC, of various bus models, including the B7RLE, B12BLE, B8RLE, B8RLEA and the Volvo B5L self-charging hybrid. BCC was also one of Volvo’s first customers to adopt Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles.

We believe we’re well placed to supply the next generations of on-road public transport vehicles to operators in this state and across the country. In addition to BCC’s support of local manufacturing its commitment to a clean, low-carbon public transport network has been boosted by the deployment of Volvo buses – particularly with BCC’s heavy investment in low-emission vehicles in advance of legislative regulations, Volvo says. The deployment of these vehicles has not only mitigated environmental impacts through reduced CO2 emissions, but has provided unparalleled bus safety to the general public of Brisbane, Volvo states.

Opposite: For 12 years, Volgren delivered nearly 900 buses to Brisbane City Council. Above: Volgren has been operating as prime contractor to Brisbane City Council in partnership with leading chassis manufacturer Volvo. Left: A celebration of the partnership was held at Volgren’s Eagle Farm production facility.

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IN FOCUS

SEALINK RAP

ransit Systems NSW, a Sealink company, has unveiled two public transport buses operating in the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) network, each showcasing the artwork by RAP artist Allan McKenzie – a Gamilario/Wiradjuri man – called Vibrations of Country. Sealink Travel Group (Sealink) itself has also taken significant steps to deliver a company-wide approach in establishing a revised RAP, it states, launching the brand new South East Tasmania Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC)-named vessel for Bruny Island called the ‘Parrabah’. “These initiatives are seemingly local, but when combined enable our company to deliver outcomes that continue to progress our communities further towards reconciliation,” said 24

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Sealink CEO Clint Feuerherdt. The Parrabah joins a fleet of vessels and vehicles that also includes a new late-2020-launched catamaran-ferry for Palm Island, Queensland – the Coolgaree Cat – and the two new NSW-run reconciliation wrapped buses. “In developing and reviewing our RAP commitments, we have made great headway in delivering key items [and] authentically engaging with the local communities we service,” explained Feuerherdt. “We believe this demonstrates our respect of the regions where we operate, including some of Australia’s most iconic destinations, many of which have strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

RESPECT AND MEANING The Sealink corporate RAP is being revised and is in addition to the Transit Systems NSW RAP, which was launched last year, with Feuerherdt outlining that the two work together. “Between our marine and land operations, we cover a lot of country and connect millions of people, and we want to continue to do that respectfully and meaningfully,” he said. Sealink launched the 34metre, $7 million purpose-built Coolgaree Cat in 2020 with a traditional Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, but it wasn’t just the vessel’s capabilities that impressed the community, the company states. The artwork adorning the vessel was created especially for Sealink by local artist Sue Pryor – a Palm Island resident – and the vessel was named after the main bay of Palm Island, it confirms.

TASMANIAN HONOUR Regarding the naming of the Parrabah, the brand new Sealink ferry servicing Bruny Island, senior Aboriginal woman and custodian Debbie Cowen from SETAC said: “The naming of this vessel, with language from the South East

Between our marine and land operations, we cover a lot of country and connect millions of people. Nation, demonstrates to this community Sea link’s willingness to work with our community by acknowledging and showing respect to our people, and will be a great source of pride for generations to come.” Working within the community, local St Aloysius Catholic College Year 7 student Carmela Harris was announced as the winner of the SETAC whale dreaming creation of Bruny Island story artwork competition, sponsored by Sealink, with the artwork proudly on display on board Parrabah. Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation co-chair Rodney Dillon also thanked Sealink for giving the community the opportunity for naming the new Bruny Island vessel: the South East Aboriginal language name for whale is ‘parrabah’. Dillon added: “There are no words that can truly express how meaningful and powerful this gesture is.”

ABOUT SEALINK Sealink is Australia’s largest integrated land and marine, tourism and public transport service provider with established international operations in London and Singapore, it states. It is one of Australia’s most experienced and diverse multi-modal transport businesses, boasting performance-driven capabilities across ferry, bus and light rail, it confirms. Sealink comprises Australian marine and tourism operations and Transit Systems’ domestic and international public bus and light rail transport operations, it adds. The company moves more than 206 million customers per year, has in excess of 8,900 employees and operates approximately 3,500 buses, 118 ferries and 24 light rail vehicles, it confirms.

Opposite: The two new artwork-wrapped buses will be operating in the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) network. Top: The artwork was commissioned from Gamilario/ Wiradjuri artist Allan McKenzie. Above: The brand new Sealink ferry servicing Bruny Island has been named Parrabah, meaning whale.

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IN FOCUS

CDC KBHAC FUNDING

ith the donation announced on National Sorry Day – May 26, 2021 – CDC and KBHACaffiliated Stolen Generations survivors also launched a ‘Sorry Day’ Campaign to build Australia’s first truth-telling museum and healing centre to help fellow survivors, their families and the community. KBHAC chairperson Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh (Uncle Widdy) is calling on all Australians to support the project and says the proposed museum and healing centre will play a critical part in Australia’s truth-telling journey.

“Without truth telling there can be no healing,” said Welsh. “Our pain must stop with us; this museum and healing centre will ensure what happened to Stolen Generations survivors will never be repeated. “It will contribute to the rebuilding of our family structures and support the journey to lasting intergenerational healing across Australia,” he said. Led by KBHAC, Sorry Day is receiving essential support from CDC NSW, one of the largest private bus operators in the state, it explains. CDC NSW’s commitment to a $750,000 partnership over three years will assist the

not-for-profit with its rapid growth as one of the leading Stolen Generations organisations in Australia, it states.

UNLOCKING THE PAST KBHAC CEO Dr Tiffany McComsey says reconciliation takes action and she welcomes CDC’s strong support. “Our vision is for the museum to be built on a site of great historical significance for Australia – the former Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home property in Kempsey,” said McComsey. The property was a home run by the NSW government between 1924 and 1970. In that period it housed between 400 and

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600 young Aboriginal boys forcibly removed from their families and made to assimilate into white Australian society, KBHAC explains. KBHAC aims to raise $5 million through donations from businesses, organisations and the Australian public to purchase, repair and conserve the property, and build the envisioned living museum and healing centre, it confirms. A conservation management plan for the property has been developed by highly respected heritage specialist Alan Croker, who also developed the Sydney Opera House’s most recent conservation management plan, it says. McComsey says the site, historical records and the memories and stories of the home’s survivors – known as the ‘Uncles’ – would provide tangible evidence of past assimilation policies and practices for the education and understanding of all Australians and to ensure that what happened to the Uncles and other Stolen Generations survivors never happens again. “The property is a place of deep importance for the Uncles, their families and communities. The site and its associated places hold memories, both painful and otherwise, of their childhood after being kidnapped from their families,” said McComsey.

FREEING THE FUTURE Commenting on CDC’s long-term commitment to working with KBHAC, McComsey says it was an example of the cross-community collaboration at the heart of reconciliation in action. “Genuine collaboration and mutual support between people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and non-Indigenous communities is the only way forward. We need to work together towards the common goal of intergenerational healing,” she said.

BUS SUPPORT CDC NSW CEO Edward Thomas says the organisation originally decided to assist KBHAC by maintaining its specially outfitted Mobile Education

Centre (MEC), a retired commuter bus transformed for the purpose of raising awareness of the stories of Stolen Generations survivors. “Since then, we’ve continued to become more involved. Our engineers have participated in designing and creating elements of the MEC and our drivers have driven the vehicle all over Sydney, the Central Coast and northwest NSW, helping get the Uncles out there in their truth telling journey,” Thomas said. “Working alongside KBHAC has inspired us to commit to a three-year sponsorship program that will provide real benefits to their organisation, helping them to improve the social, emotional, cultural and spiritual wellbeing of the Stolen Generations who survived their time in the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home, as well as their descendants and families,” he said.

CAREER PATHS In addition to helping launch the campaign to build the truth telling museum, CDC will also be providing extensive careers and skills development opportunities for Indigenous candidates nominated by KBHAC and back-office support for the organisation, it confirms. These include apprenticeships and subsequent long-term employment opportunities with

Working alongside KBHAC has inspired us to commit to a three-year sponsorship program. CDC, study tours of CDC sites, work experience, mentoring, on-the-job training and opportunities to attend courses relevant to their chosen field, it adds. “At CDC we believe that all Australians will benefit from reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, aided by the promotion of a true account of Australian history and better opportunities to enter into the workforce,” Thomas stated. “It also helps us, on a practical level, to build bridges with Aboriginal communities and help them to find a career path within our organisation. “Partnering with KBHAC has been a learning experience for us at CDC. Every day we continue to learn more about Aboriginal culture and past experiences and how we can do our part to help achieve reconciliation.” For more information, or to donate towards making Australia’s first national truth telling museum a reality, head to www. kinchelaboyshome.org.au.

Above: (L-R) Dr Tiffany McComsey, KBHAC CEO; Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh (Uncle Widdy), Kinchela Boys Home survivor and KBHAC chairman; Edward Thomas, CDC NSW CEO; plus survivors of Kinchela Boys Home. Opposite: CDC NSW has committed to a $750,000 partnership over three years.

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IN FOCUS

TRANSDEV E-BUS PHASE 3

TRANSDEV MELBOURNE E-BUS TRIAL ENTERS ‘PHASE 3’ The third phase of Transdev Melbourne’s e-bus trial is now underway, generating operational data in real-world conditions.

he trial, conducted by Transdev Melbourne and the Victorian Department of Transport, will now see the electric bus operate on an 86km route between Altona and Mordialloc, gathering valuable data about how the bus performs in a variety of different traffic conditions, Transdev confirms.

Route 903 is known as an orbital route; it allows passengers in Melbourne’s middle and outer suburbs to travel across the city without travelling into the CBD. The orbital routes are among the longest bus routes in the southern hemisphere, Transdev states. Transdev Melbourne interim managing director Rachel Spencer said: “Transdev is committed to identifying cleaner transport options, which have a positive

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can be scaled-up to operate zero-emission bus fleets.” Recently, the Victorian government announced that, from 2025, all new public transport bus purchases within the state will be zero-emission buses. In that context, the data gathered during this trial will be useful for the development of future bus fleet procurement strategies as the state moves towards reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector, according to Transdev.

LOCAL INPUT

impact on environment and local communities. “This trial is demonstrating the benefits of zero-emission buses and providing valuable data about how this technology

This particular electric bus was built by Volgren in Dandenong, supporting local jobs and manufacturing, Transdev highlights. Up to 87 per cent of content used in Volgren buses is local with the manufacturing process sourcing parts from approximately 80 local suppliers, it adds. In March, 2021, Transdev took delivery of four new Volgren-BYD electric buses, which have been delivered to Transdev operations in New South Wales and Queensland. Incidentally, the NSW government will begin the transition of its entire bus fleet to zero emissions transport within the decade, and the Queensland government has indicated every new bus that is added to the state’s fleet of urban buses in South-East Queensland from 2025 will be a zero-emissions bus. This current Victorian e-bus

This trial is demonstrating the benefits of zero-emission buses and providing valuable data about how this technology can be scaled-up to operate zeroemission bus fleets. trial will continue until October 31, 2021, Transdev confirms.

ABOUT TRANSDEV Transdev believes public transport plays an important part in how a city comes to life, it says. Its day-to-day work influences families, friends and future generations where they live, work and play, it explains. 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 states.

Opposite: Phase 3 will take place on the 86km-long Route 903 that runs between Altona in southwest Melbourne and Mordialloc in south-east Melbourne. Above: The Victorian government has announced, from 2025, all new public transport bus purchases within the state will be zeroemission buses. Left: The trial will continue until October 31, 2021.

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IN FOCUS

VOLVO TAFE PARTNERSHIP

E-BUS TRAINING VIA VOLVO AND TAFE PARTNERSHIP

Volvo Bus Australia and TAFE NSW will develop a new range of specialised industrybased courses specific to the introduction of electric buses in Australia.

he introduction of electric buses – such as the Volvo BZL Electric to be launched soon – introduces a range of new operational factors that must be addressed by industry, Volvo explains. The nature of electric vehicles means the introduction of high-voltage systems requires extensive understanding about the way vehicles are built, operated and serviced, it states. As part of the largest automotive manufacturer in Australia, Volvo Bus Australia believes safety in and around electric vehicles is an area that requires greater focus. It’s about protecting workers as they work with these new

products in a variety of areas, including assembly of a new bus, service of the vehicle in the workshop, driving the bus and managing emergency service responses as required, it says. “Safety is in our DNA and our sincere hope is that the content and courses we are working on together with TAFE NSW become the industry standard across all the country for all makes, vehicle types and brands,” said Volvo Bus Australia general manager Mitch Peden. “We see the need for a national approach to training, skills and certification of staff, and are delighted to be partnering with TAFE NSW on these new programs.

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“The introduction of electric vehicles is certainly not the time to compromise on safety; our operator partners and industry have done a fantastic job in recent years delivering safe public transport – now we have an opportunity to lift standards even further.” Volvo’s dedicated bus team across Australia is already the most experienced in the bus and coach industry and delivers training across the country on a continual basis, Volvo Bus states. “Being able to partner with TAFE NSW on the general courses we will provide together complements our more advanced diagnostic and vehicle training,” Peden stated.

UPSKILLING MECHANICS State minister for skills and tertiary education Geoff Lee announced the NSW government, through TAFE, will develop short courses with Volvo Bus to help mechanics up-skill and work safely with industry-leading bus technology. Minister Lee says the training will play a key role in

helping NSW transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2030. “The adoption of electric buses introduces a new range of skills needs that we must address such as working with high voltage systems and understanding the way vehicles are built, operated, and serviced,” Minister Lee said. “We’re proud to be partnering with Volvo Bus, part of the largest automotive manufacturer in the country, to ensure the safety of people working in this industry.”

BUS ASSEMBLY NSW minister for transport Andrew Constance says the training will provide a framework as more businesses adopt new products in bus assembly, servicing, driving, and managing emergency service responses. “With the NSW government’s commitment to introduce more electric buses, the number of workers who need to be retrained and up-skilled to support these vehicles is growing,” Minister Constance said.

Our operator partners and industry have done a fantastic job in recent years delivering safe public transport – now we have an opportunity to lift standards even further.

Opposite: NSW state minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee announced that the NSW government, through TAFE, will develop short courses with Volvo Bus to help mechanics upskill and work safely with industry-leading bus technology. Above: Volvo Bus Australia general manager Mitch Peden. Left: The TAFE course will help upskill diesel mechanics and train new mechanics to support an industry increasingly turning towards electric buses. busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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COVERSTORY

TRANSDEV E-MOBILITY

Selecting, building and running electric buses dayto-day is one thing, but unless the critical data behind what works and what doesn’t marries up to overall public transport success, you’d have to ask: what was the point? Transdev Australasia’s Aurora Project, in our region, aims to provide that answer.

magine, if you will, that those high-school science classes where someone in your group would slyly fling extra metal stuff into the acidfilled beaker (true story), or eye drop excess ‘liquid x’ into a bubbling conical flask behind your back, didn’t require data collection at all. Sure the first few ‘snap, crackle and pops’ before the fire alarm goes off (might have been recess bell) while kids scramble for cover under desks screaming ‘Incoming!’ might look and sound impressive at first, but … what would it all mean without ‘data’? Somewhere in there, the ‘results’ and ‘conclusion’ part of any decent science experiment, trial or test overrides any foolish momentary euphoria of potentially the school closing down due to untold litigation cases from irate parents and maimed teachers and students. Experiments and trials only exist to test a theory and to draw a conclusion – for the greater good of mankind, one would imagine, or at least to get a Year 9 science grade higher than an ‘F’. Fortunately, the really clever students move on from the disheveled pack to enter career fields of discerning and accurate analysis, hopefully achieving a range aims and objectives that overcome problems and maximise performance potential for society. Public transport is no different - particularly with bus route planning and a raft of current environmental and safety requirements that encompass how bus product is purchased and run. In Australia, one of – if not the first – tests of a metro-route electric bus was spearheaded by Transdev Australasia in Melbourne, whose long-term plan to bring its e-mobility knowledge gleaned from European operations to Australian shores has successfully achieved many of its goals. And, perhaps more importantly, it generated the type of e-bus running data – involving chassis and body choice, charging infrastructure maximisation and implementation, battery performance and, in general, safe and timely PAX transportation – that provides insight and ‘learnings’ for the benefit of others during this electric vehicle (EV) transition. 32

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POSITIVELY CHARGED WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES NICK O’SULLIVAN

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COVERSTORY

TRANSDEV E-MOBILITY

To that end, ABC magazine recently heard from some of the key players involved in Transdev’s Australasia’s successful Project Aurora e-bus trial and interstate rollout.

Above: Transdev Australasia ran metro-route electric bus trails in Melbourne to generate realworld data. Right: BYD chassis, drivetrain and circuitry is used on the new e-buses. Opposite, Above: Knowing how electric vehicles operate in Australian conditions is vital to expansion of the industry. 34

scene, the call helped to ignite a vision for a zero-emissions fleet in Australia and New Zealand, helping to kick start internal ‘Project Aurora’. Transdev had pioneered zero-emissions electric and hydrogen fleets internationally, it

says, but usage in the Australian and New Zealand market was still in relative infancy. Transdev Australasia’s chief officer for bus Ian Craig explained: “Domestically, electric buses had been proven in controlled settings,

AURORA VISION Today, Transdev is one of the largest operators of zero-emissions electric and hydrogen bus fleet, operating more than 1,400 vehicles globally. The seeds for the company’s zero-emissions ambitions ‘Down Under’ were sown in 2019, following a phone call with Transdev Australasia’s chief engineer Marc Cleave and Volgren Australia. Dandenong-based Volgren had recently commenced manufacture of its BYD-chassis prototype electric bus – a modified version of its popular Optimus model. For Transdev and Marc Cleave, now somewhat a veteran of the bus manufacturing

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Transdev had pioneered zero-emissions electric and hydrogen fleets internationally, but usage in the Australian and New Zealand market was still in relative infancy, it says. such as airport routes or shuttles, though, at the time, trialling of battery-electric buses on urban-route services was still somewhat a novelty. From our international learnings we knew the value that zero emissions vehicles could add to our local fleets and contracts, which is why we acted quickly in developing Project Aurora.” Armed with insights about what worked, Transdev quickly set about gathering a group of locally based suppliers to help realise the vision and bring the company’s first electric bus - ‘Aurora 1’ - to Melbourne in November, 2019.

BRIGHT SPARKS Being first to market does have its risks, which is why having the right support was imperative for Transdev. “Our goal was to do something truly innovative and having a team of local and international suppliers with proven experience was key,” said Craig. Following discussions with Volgren,

Transdev placed an order for four new BYD Optimus electric vehicles with the view to introduce new vehicles into its operations in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. “The transport market is rapidly changing and we wanted to be ahead of the market, but at the same time we wanted to use a product that we could trust,” explained Cleave. “Volgren - rather than modifying the body for an electric chassis - [was] able to install an electric chassis on an existing body – a design that was proven with hundreds of vehicles already on-road.” The reduced weight added to the appeal of the Volgren Optimus BYD electric bus for Project Aurora, with the model having an overall tare weight of 13,000kg. An added benefit was the use of BYD chassis, drivetrain and circuitry, with Transdev using BYD chassis extensively across its 1,400 strong global zero-emissions fleet. Volgren’s national sales and marketing

manager Yuri Tessari says that Volgren’s e-bus product is the result of hundreds of hours of research and development work combined with a desire to preserve the characteristics that have made its flagship Optimus an industry leader for nearly 10 years. “The new Optimus e-bus is one of the lightest zero-emission bus bodies in its class,” Tessari said. “The design delivers longer range, less downtime for charging and Volgren’s unmatched total cost of ownership. “It is also the safest bus of any kind the company has produced, complying with the highest levels of safety and flammability standards for buses in Australia,” he explained. In bringing Aurora to life, Transdev engaged global electrification leader ABB. In 2018, the companies had worked together in helping to electrify a fleet in Harrogate, UK. Both recognised Project Aurora as a potential catalyst for turning the tide on e-mobility here. busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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COVERSTORY

TRANSDEV E-MOBILITY

ABB Australia’s work on Project Aurora was extensive, as e-mobility segment lead Steve Amor explaind: “Together, with our installation partners, we worked to provide an integrated grid-to-plug solution. All aspects of Transdev’s depots were assessed, so that we could offer a product that not just met their current needs, but future expansion of e-bus fleet[s] as well.” In order to power the new Volgren BYD Optimus fleet, Transdev opted to install ABB’s Terra depot and opportunity EV chargers, as they had a proven reputation for reliability and compatibility across multiple bus original equipment manufacturers, it explains. “Utilising CCS [Combined Charging System] connectivity and OCPP [Open Charge Point Protocol] compliance, ABB DC fast chargers combine rugged construction with a small infrastructure footprint and a durable design with multi-outlet scalability, making it suitable 36

Our goal was to do something truly innovative and having a team of local and international suppliers with proven experience was key. for compact installations like bus depots, where space and utilisation is at a premium,” added Amor.

SPECIAL DELIVERY Under Project Aurora, Transdev took delivery of its first new Volgren BYD Optimus Electric bus and BYD charging infrastructure in November, 2019, with the bus going into service on Melbourne’s streets in December of that year, as part of a trial with Victoria’s Department of Transport. The remaining four vehicles rolled off Volgren’s Dandenong production line in

March, 2021, with one commencing service in Brisbane in April and three going into service in Sydney in May. Gala events were held in Dandenong, Brisbane and Sydney, with local authorities, stakeholders and industry to celebrate the launch of the new fleet. Tessari says the commissioning of the Transdev fleet as part of Project Aurora was significant for the company. “The first e-bus delivered to Transdev gave us the knowledge and know-how to adjust not only our product, but also our production facilities.” Transdev Australasia funded three of

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the five vehicles delivered under Project Aurora. Transport for NSW directly funded two vehicles for Sydney, which Transdev procured on its behalf. “We wanted to demonstrate zeroemissions technology by investing our own cash in it. It’s here now, and it’s the future now that we want to promote to government and show that public transport can be decarbonised,” Craig added.

NEW KING ARRIVES

Top, Left Volgren says that the Optus complies with the highest levels of safety and flammability standards for buses in Australia. Top, Right: Volgren’s e-buses have been operating in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Right: Transdev Queensland stakeholder function, recently.

Craig said that while the build and power were critical and logical steps in Project Aurora, the crown jewel for Transdev was the data that its new state-of-the-art fleet provides. “The transition to a zero-emissions fleet is a significant investment for governments and public transport operators alike,” he explained. “Recognising this, we want to get the most out of the assets, which is why. for Transdev, the monitoring and analysis of performance and operational data is king.” Engaging Sydney-based technology provider Orion Network, Cleave and his team at the Transdev Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, developed TECA – the company’s own proprietary telematics system.

Working with Orion Network, TECA was developed as a variable ‘internet-of-things’ (IoT) for buses, plugging into the vehicle CAN line, utilising 4G and radio communications to provide vehicle data on a real-time dashboard. “Operating and charging zero-emissions fleet[s] isn’t difficult. The tricky part is making sure that the vehicles and charging infrastructure operate properly, and you implement a charging strategy that extends battery life and vehicle performance. For this, data and. more poignantly, informed analysis

of the data, is critical,” Cleave said. Hamish Duff, founder and director of telematics supplier the Orion Network added: “The innovation we developed with Transdev provides a real-time operational dashboard integrating energy and charging management, fault notifications and operational data. “Understanding how electric buses are operating is key to successfully integrating [them] into complex transport networks and service provision.” Operational and performance data and insights collected through

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COVERSTORY

TRANSDEV E-MOBILITY

Transdev’s TECA is being shared with public transport authorities, to inform their own strategies, the company confirms.

SOLAR FLAIR Not set on delivering electric buses alone, in March, 2020, the Transdev team set about ensuring one of its vehicles was truly ‘zero’ emissions, powered 100 per cent from renewable solar energy collected at the company’s Capalaba depot in Brisbane. To bring the clean, green vision into reality, Transdev engaged Queens-

land-based solar supplier REA Global. REA installed 250 state-of-the-art solar panels and a bank of 15 individual Tesla Powerwall units at the Brisbane depot, capturing up to 658kWh per day, with a total storage capacity of 200kWh. “We have been working closely with the Transdev Engineering team for over two years designing the bespoke solar power and battery storage solution that best matches the charging requirements of the ZEB whilst providing leading efficiency, safety and reliability,” said

The first e-bus delivered to Transdev gave us the knowledge and know-how to adjust not only our product but also our production facilities.

Above: Transdev is helping pioneer zero-emissions bus transport in Australia and New Zealand. Below: ABB’s Terra depot and opportunity EV chargers have been installed to charge the vehicles.

REA global founder and director Michael Mrowka. “It is important we provide a solution that produces the most amount of energy possible from the available space in order to leave room for future expansion of the solar system and ZEB fleet.”

CLEANER OUTCOMES To date, Project Aurora has helped to save more than 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions (as heavy as a Blue Whale, the Net says) with the original Aurora 1 bus in Melbourne saving 62 tonnes since 2019. Locally, Transdev has set itself a goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in its Australian and NZ operations by 30 per cent by 2030 and the introduction of electric and new zero-emissions bus fleet will be critical to meeting the target. “Through Project Aurora we have proven that decarbonised transport is a reality. We look forward to working closely with our partners at Department of Transport Victoria, Transport for NSW and Translink to share data, learnings and insights with the shared goal of driving cleaner, greener, and more comfortable journeys for our customers and drivers,” said Craig. Now, through Project Aurora, Transdev is aiming to further electrify and explore opportunities for new hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. “Growing our successful partnerships with innovators, like Volgren, ABB, Orion Network, REA Global and others, will be crucial to delivering emissions reductions in the years ahead,” Craig concluded.

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OPERATOR

ST MARYS BUS NSW

Many small bus and coach companies have been reeling under the repercussions of the pandemic, but there is something good that is happening too. Ehab Ibrahim found an opportunity in this otherwise hard-hit market to realise his long-standing dream of starting a coach business in Australia. WORDS ANJALI BEHL IMAGES BEN HOSKING

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FROM THE ASHES

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OPERATOR

ST MARYS BUS NSW

rmed with grit, gumption and tremendous support from a friend in the industry, Ibrahim purchased two 21-seater coaches and launched a service in Sydney in the middle of a global pandemic. As some small bus and coach businesses began to leave the industry in early 2020, there was suddenly an increase in the number of vehicles for sale in a market where demand had plummeted. This gave Ibrahim an opportunity like none other. He was finally in a position to buy a few small coaches to get his business on the road, he explains. Ibrahim has been involved in the industry for a long time as a licenced heavy-vehicle driving instructor, trainer and assessor. Since migrating to Australia from Egypt in 2010, Ibrahim has been behind the wheels of buses and trucks, and this vocation for 42

We want the market to be fair for everyone. That way it will bolster the industry and help provide safe services to passengers. driving fuelled a true passion to service the bus industry. He had looked into starting his business in 2016, but found the coaches, even used ones, much too expensive. However, last year he was finally able to invest in two Mitsubishi Rosas and two Toyota Hiace coaches. “I have always loved this industry, since the day I first drove a bus,” Ibrahim explained. “Last year finally gave me an opportunity to buy the vehicles because, suddenly, the market wasn’t so expensive to break into. I got the business accreditation and applied as a contractor with the [NSW] Department of Education.

“Currently, we’re running a disability transport service for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers. We also offer private bus hire and coach charter across Sydney.” A small, core team of three manages the business at present. His wife, Mariam Gindi, does the paperwork, while Ibrahim looks after the buses, general operations and everything in between. They have around 10 casual drivers and Ibrahim himself gets behind the wheel many times a week. St Marys-based heavy vehicle mechanic Brian Aeberhard is Ibrahim’s go-to guy for almost all repair work. “One person I wish to thank is my

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Above + opposite: “The Zhongtong [models] are great luxury buses that have been performing very well for us,” said Ibrahim. Right: Ibrahim’s day starts at 4.00am with a full check of the coaches.

busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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OPERATOR

ST MARYS BUS NSW

Above: The fleet is made up of a 2012 Mitsubishi Rosa, two 2014 Rosa models, a 2015 Toyota Hiace, a 2010 Hiace and two Zhongtong 2020 models. Right: There are plans to invest in another small coach this year. Opposite, bottom: The 21-seater van came with a wheelchair lift.

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It fills me with energy when passengers say they felt safe in my coach.

friend Philip Sheanoda, who runs his own bus and coach business in St Marys,” Ibrahim said. “Philip has helped me greatly in my professional journey so far. I’m indebted to him for his support and guidance throughout. “On the fleet side we have a 2012 Mitsubishi Rosa, two 2014 Rosa models, a 2015 Toyota Hiace, a 2010 Hiace and two Zhongtong 2020 models. I like both Mitsubishi and Toyota for their performance and capacity. They’re the right fit for our business at present although we do plan to invest in another small coach this year. “Our 21-seater van came with the wheelchair lift, which was good for us for our work with NDIS providers. The Zhongtong are great luxury buses that have been performing very well for us. “While Covid-19 helped me get my foot in the door, it has also created a lot of uncertainty in the market. We’re not sure what will happen this year. I guess, we all have to wait and see how things go in the coming months.”

during a pandemic sounds like a challenging if not Herculean task – fewer public transport contracts in the market, not enough local tourism, no international tourists, and an overall cloud of uncertainty shrouding the economy. However, as real as these factors are, for Ibrahim the biggest problem seems to be the competition created

by non-accredited, non-licenced operators. “The one challenge facing the industry is that there are some operators that operate without accreditation and meeting operational requirements, sometimes without even valid licences, which makes it tough for smaller operators like us,” he explained. “We understand the rules and the cost structure, we have the necessary qualifications and experience, and, above all, we value how the rules are there to provide safety for passengers and operators alike and sticking by them helps everyone. “We want the market to be fair for everyone. That way, it will bolster the industry and help provide safe services to passengers. As a licenced heavy vehicle driving instructor and trainer, I believe in that very strongly.” Running his own relatively new small business means Ibrahim finds himself working round the clock. His day starts at 4.00am when he visits the depot to check all his coaches before the drivers arrive for work.

DEMANDS OF THE JOB Launching a public transport business busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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OPERATOR

ST MARYS BUS NSW

We are very conscientious about safety of all our passengers.

Top: Safety is of the highest priority for the St Marys Bus NSW team. Above With buses dropping in price last year, Ibrahim picked up two Mitsubishi Rosa and two Toyota Hiace coaches to start his business. 46

“I like to check all the vehicles early in the morning, so if there is any issue I have time to find a mechanic and get it fixed before the drivers come for their shifts,” he said. “I drive the coaches regularly and also train my staff on driving and managing tours. We sometimes have schools hiring these coaches for children with special needs and it is our responsibility to make sure that they have a safe journey. “As a team, we are very conscientious about safety of all our passengers. I also manage bookings on the phone so it’s a very hands-on role.” It is a demanding job, but the reward, says Ibrahim, is people’s smiles when they say “thank you for driving us”. “I get that feeling every time

I see someone smile and say thank you. It fills me with energy when passengers say they felt safe in my coach. It means a great deal to me to help people get safely to their destinations.”

GOING FORWARD “We do good work. We have an experienced team and a fleet of relatively new vehicles,” Ibrahim said. “I plan to contact the Department of Education again and see if I can get some more school runs this year. This is just the start. One day, I want to run the biggest coach company in Australia.” “We need government to help small business by giving them jobs not money; we want work because usually big companies take everything,” he said.

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TEST DRIVE

IVECO SHUTTLE 22

FAR FROM BASIC With the addition of the Shuttle 22 to its Daily minibus range, Iveco is providing a larger vehicle for standard operations that is far from basic when it comes to safety features and a quiet, comfortable ride. WORDS + IMAGES PAUL ALDRIDGE

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he Iveco Daily minibus range has grown in Australia, with today’s test drive vehicle - the Shuttle 22 - the latest offering to the range. With a modern European design, the Daily minibus is available in 11-, 16- and 22-seat sizes, plus driver, with two trim levels – Shuttle and Executive – to meet the demands of the local minibus market. Speaking with regional sales manager George Stavrinou, we asked about the development of the range.

“The first model came out around three years ago,” he explained. “We launched a 16 plus one [16 plus driver] in a Shuttle, which is the base model, and an Executive with leather seats [that is] a bit more upmarket. Then we followed with an 11 plus one, and we’ve had very good success with that. Around a year ago we brought out the 22 plus one, which is this model that you see in front of us and this is the latest model to the range.” As to why a 22-seat Shuttle seemed like the right way to expand, Stavrinou explained: “We felt like the 16-seater served a niche market, but we had requests from customers that really wanted to carry more passengers. So, we had a look at what we had available as far as chassis, and 22 was a good fit for the particular size of body that that we had available. “It meets a gap in the range and the target market will be rental companies that have minibuses on board: local tour operators, airport shuttle, aged care transport and government departments. We’ve built based on customer demand. It really has a big range of appeal. “We also have a bit of flexibility with this model to remove some seats from the rear and provide wheelchair access. We can make changes on a case-by-case basis, it all depends on what our customers need.” Being the times we are in, we asked Stavrinou about the order times and he confirms that Iveco has stock available right now for customers that are interested. “When we run out of the current stock we’re probably looking at around a six-month lead time if we’ve got to build a new one from scratch,” he added.

PLENTY OF POWER Behind the Daily minibus range is a powerful Euro 6 engine with 180hp (134kW) and features a flat torque curve with maximum 430Nm from a low 1,500–3,000rpm. “The engine is a really sweet engine,” Stavrinou said. “We’ve been running the 180hp Iveco FIC for about three years now. The same engine is also running in some of our seven-tonne vehicles, as well; our seven-tonne daily truck cab chassis and also our vans run that same engine, all with the ZF behind it. “So, the variable geometry turbo really gives you ... a lot of torque down low and it’s a pretty flat torque curve. So, if you look

at the specs, you get 430Nm@1,500 to 3,000rpm. It’s not like some competitors’ engines [that] will go up like a ramp, hit the peak torque and then fall off a cliff. These engines will actually make peak torque almost at idle. “The engine meets the strict Euro 6 emissions measure using a combination system of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction. Sometimes manufacturers will go one way or another, not often both but the advantage of going for a small EGR valve and then urea injection is you’re not using a lot of AdBlue. Our Euro 6 Daily use very little urea versus fuel, but I think for every 90-litre tank you only use around about three and a half to four litres of AdBlue.”

ESP 9 – SAFETY PLUS Having the two model types, Shuttle and Executive, we asked what we should expect from the base Shuttle model and what options can be added, if required, to meet operators’ needs. “The difference between the two models is basically on a ‘finish only’ basis,” Stavrinou said. “All safety gear comes as standard in both models. What we’ve basically done is put all the options in the vehicle as standard.” So, today, we can expect a drive from a base model in the , but with no shortcuts or omission of features related to vehicle safety. We really appreciate when features, especially of a safety nature, are included as standard with the base model of a range. Often this will be the model chosen to transport school children and the elderly where a luxury finish isn’t required but safety is vital. “Iveco have added their top-of-the-line safety package called ESP 9 to all their Daily minibus range,” Stavrinou added. “It’s basically a safety package that we buy from Bosch with a long list of safety features, so, no matter what vehicle you buy, safety is the main priority.” The ESP 9 safety package includes, as standard: front and rear disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system (ABS); lane departure warning (LDW); driver’s supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbag; electronic brake force distribution; anti-slip regulator; drag torque control; hill hold control; adaptive load control; trailer sway mitigation; hydraulic rear wheel boost; hydraulic fading compensation; roll-movement intervention; roll-over mitigation; and daytime running lights. busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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TEST DRIVE

IVECO SHUTTLE 22

We had requests from customers that really wanted to carry more passengers. FEATURE FOCUS

Above: The driver gets a comfortable airsuspended seat. Right: The Daily range has good ground clearance for offroad needs. Opposite: Iveco added the top-of-the-line safety package called ESP 9 to the entire Daily minibus range; Internal overhead luggage storage is ample – an overnight bag would easily fit. 50

It’s always interesting to find out what Australian components, if any, are used on a build. “We bring them in with just the air conditioning and a bare floor,” Stavrinou said. “Then we install the curtains, seating and rails, the floor coverings and the emergency switches on both sides. All this is fitted in our Dandenong plant with local componentry.” This is great to hear as even small locally sourced or made additions to a build allows local suppliers to be kept alive. For a personal opinion, we ask Stavrinou what aspects or features of the Shuttle 22 he is really proud of. “Honestly, the way the vehicle drives and handles both for the driver, but also for the passengers,” he answered. “So, that’s really where we believe the Shuttle 22 stands out from the crowd. The NVH [noise vibration and harshness] levels are very, very low compared to our competitors. “You’ll see, today, the ease of access to your daily checks. The ergonomics [are also a standout] – it doesn’t feel like

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you’re driving a bus, it feels like you’re driving a car. If a driver’s doing long hours, they’re not going to come back fatigued. “I can speak from experience because I’ve done trips where I had to drive vans of a similar size to this one for four hours, and, with the Shuttle 22, you jump out like you’ve been in a car. “Ground clearance as well is better than a lot of our competitors, which is important sometimes, especially when you’re in touring and maybe going in off-road regions.” Aside from his personal favourite features, Stavrinou said that there are too many to mention smaller features and adaptations that make the Shuttle 22 a great choice for operators. He told us about one that makes good sense for ease of repair. “See how we’ve got the black plastic trim all the way around? That’s the first place where you’ll scrape or damage a vehicle. Those trims are not very expensive to buy at a dealer to replace, so, rather than having to get a panel beater and get some panel beating done, all you have to do is change a plastic part. “It’s the small design features like that that equate to the lower cost of ownership. We find it’s those features that fleet operators really appreciate from an Iveco.”

Another feature that plays a part in efficiency and cost saving is the inclusion of a smart alternator across the Daily range. “What that means is that its smart technology detects when you need full power to the rear wheels and it’ll stop charging the alternator. Then, it’ll know that, when you’re on the brakes and you’re coasting, you’re slowing down, [so] it’ll put maximum charge, up to about 180 amps, through the battery.

“So, the alternator technology is smart enough to give you very high current charging when you’re slowing down or when you don’t need power. So, for the majority of the time, the alternator is just freewheeling, adding to the to the fuel economy of the vehicle. It means that it requires a battery that is capable of taking those high currents. You can’t just put a standard battery in it. The way we’ve designed it, removing the battery out of the engine bay and putting busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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TEST DRIVE

IVECO SHUTTLE 22

it in the cabin, really extends its life because it’s always cool.” As to why the Daily Shuttle 22 is a smart choice for operators. Stavrinou says that the advantage to this vehicle is that there are already a lot in operation. “In the driveline the platform’s the same as the rest of our range,” he added. “So, for spare parts and servicing there’s a real advantage. If you want to replace the instrument cluster or the turbo or something like that, it’s not a unique product. The front bumper, the bonnet, the doors are all

No matter what vehicle you buy, safety is the main priority. the same – simplicity of range makes for real advantages for operators and reduction in downtime.”

THE DRIVE The Shuttle 22 is the latest entry to the Iveco minibus family and, although called a minibus in size, it looks pretty impressive and larger

ESP9 OVERVIEW ABS – Anti-lock Braking System avoids wheel locking during heavy braking moments ASR – Anti-Slip Regulator, which acts on the engine and the brakes, preventing the drive wheels from skidding EBD – Electronic Brake Force dDstribution shares the brake force between front and rear axles ESP – E lectronic Stability Program brakes each wheel and controls the engine by reducing the number of revolutions if the vehicle becomes unstable HBA – Hydraulic Brake Assist ensures emergency braking is as effective as possible HFC – H ydraulic Fading Compensation detects brakes’ fading conditions, increasing the brake circuit pressure up to ABS intervention level HHC – H ill Hold Control acts on the braking pressure to hold the vehicle during uphill departure

Top: Versatile in its drive, the Shuttle 22 handles both urban roads and rural, winding routes with ease. Below: ZF Hi-matic transmission with Eco mode.

than what you’d expect up close. Yes, this is the base model of the range and there is an Executive option available but, although not a top-of-therange vehicle, it comes with a long list of features as standard across the range. This would have to be one of the key selling points to certainly take note of. Under the bonnet things couldn’t get any simpler, with clear and easy access to brake fluid, washer water bottle, water coolant, oil levels and top-up. The battery is by the passenger steps, but there’s a jump-start port here, too. To make it even easier, on the driver display there are indicators when you turn the ignition on that show all oil and water levels without going under the bonnet. No excuse for not doing your daily checks. The overall length is 7.5 metres, the external height is just over 2.9 metres and internal cabin height is 1.8m, so standing height for many. External safety features include daytime running lights and the mirrors have been carried over from the previous model – if they work well, why change? Truly great vision from these mirrors – some of the best we have tried – and electric and heated with good blind spot visibility at the base. From a driver’s perspective the driver’s area works really well, with an easy-to-read dash with touchscreen multimedia system, in-built reverse camera and really simple-to-use functions that show you everything you could need to know about the vehicle. The seat was a particularly notable feature, which feels like you’re sitting in an armchair. Stavrinou mentioned before the drive that the electronically controlled airbag suspension would probably be a little bit jerkier unladen than if you had a couple of passengers onboard. Iveco’s thinking is that it would rather have it drive well

HRB – Hydraulic Rear-wheel Boost, which, in case of emergency braking, boosts the rear brake force to help reduce vehicle stopping distance LAC – L oad Adaptive-braking Control identifies changes in the vehicle mass and center of gravity along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and adapts the interventions of ABS, traction control and ESP MSR – Motor Slip Regulation is engine speed management to control engine overrun braking RMI – R oll Movement Intervention mitigates dangerous roll-over situations during dynamic driving, such as evasive manoeuvres, U- turns, etc. ROM – R oll-Over Mitigation acts as an extension of RMI by mitigating rollover during quasi-stationary manoeuvres, such as motorway exits TSM – T railer Sway Mitigation detects the presence of a trailer and adapts the ESC in order not to negatively influence the dynamics of the vehicletrailer system

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TEST DRIVE

IVECO SHUTTLE 22

Specs MAKE/MODEL: Iveco Shuttle 22 ENGINE: 180hp Iveco FIC (Euro 6) four-stroke diesel with directinjection, variable geometry turbocharger and intercooler; Power - (Max.) 180hp@2,800– 3,500rpm; Torque - (max.) 430Nm@1,500–3,000 rpm TRANSMISSION: Eight-speed ZF torque converter automatic (Himatic with Eco mode) EMISSIONS TECH: Exhaust gas recirculation system + selective catalytic reduction DIMENSIONS: (LxWxH) – 7,515mm x 2,174mm x 2,905mm GVM: 6,100kg TOWING: 3,500kg with braked trailer STEERING: Power steering; 390mm diameter steering wheel with telescopic adjustment AXLES: Independent wheels (front); rigid, twin-wheel (rear) SUSPENSION: Independent with torsion bar (front); pneumatic air suspension with ECAS (rear) BRAKES: Disc brakes front and rear; ABS and ESP; manual parking brake on rear axle; service brakes dual circuit with vacuum servo; brake wear warning lights for front and rear FUEL TANK: 90L ADBLUE TANK: 25L CHASSIS: C-Section steel longitudinal side members and tubular cross members ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 12V – 110 Ah battery; 12V – 180 A smart alternator; trailer wiring to rear of chassis WHEELS: 6J x R16 TYRES: 225/65 Rl6 SAFETY: ESP9 program; Day-time running lights MISC.: Iveconect multimedia system with steering wheel audio/phone controls; Bluetooth connectivity; anti-corrosion protection by full cataphoretic dipping; two rear doors 270° opening with heated windows; heated and electrically adjustable mirrors; electric bus plug door; athermic windscreen and single athermic glued windows; thermoacoustic insulation; four =-speed electrical fans with air distribution functions and air recirculation; A/C for driver with automatic control; passenger air conditioning through air channels on luggage rack; reverse camera; premium timber-imitation PVC floor covering standard; LED lighting; adjustable and air-suspended driver seat; electric driver window; cruise control

From city to winding country roads, the Shuttle 22 performed great on all.

with 10, 20 passengers in there than the driver on their own. Saying that, we found the drive very comfortable if a little bouncy with only three on board, but certainly comfortable. It was also super quiet, both as a driver and passenger down the back, as we tried out both positions. Internal overhead luggage storage is ample – an overnight bag would easily fit – though the rear storage area in this model isn’t huge as the 22 seats take up maximum floor space. However, the Shuttle 22 is probably not aimed specifically at the long-haul market, plus there is always the option of adding a trailer with a towing capacity of 3,500kg. The two rear-door access opening at 270 degrees means that entry to this area is really generous. Above: With a 270-degree opening angle for the back doors, there’s plenty of room to get in and out. Below: The engine meets the strict Euro 6 emissions measure using a combination system of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction.

At the point of purchase, customers are given an SD card so they can download the latest maps for free, with speed limits and new roads, and insert this into the bus’ navigation system. After this, customers can annually download the latest maps and update their system for a minimal fee, so the vehicle always has the latest data for the driver. In addition to the aircon there’s an extraction fan for ventilation, which is good for days when the weather really doesn’t need the aircon operating, or to remove built-up heat in a parked vehicle. The transmission is an eight-speed ZF Hi-matic with Eco mode – synonymous with quality and longevity. The gearstick is very easy to operate, with a Power button and an Eco mode. When doing flat, not fully loaded driving, Eco mode means the transmission changes gears at a lower rpm to help optimise fuel economy. The Power mode will help give a bit more oomph when fully loaded and, when going downhill, will hold the gears for longer. Both modes give what you need when you need it, with the best economy. The drive from Iveco’s headquarters in Dandenong, Victoria, put us on both suburban and country roads and the coupling of the ZF transmission with Iveco’s Euro 6 180hp engine was the perfect combination. This Minibus feels like it has plenty of power in all terrains. The turning circle is outstanding, as well. From city to winding country roads, the Shuttle 22 performed great on all. We could see this working well for everything from wine tours to busy suburban runs; the Shuttle 22 can handle it all.

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PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GUIDE

STAYING ON TRACK

Clear and accurate passenger information is vital to keep customers up to date and on the move to their destination. On a busy bus in rush hour, or waiting at a station with lots of vehicles arriving and departing, the latest technological advances in passenger information systems make it easier for both those running the buses and those catching them. Here, we take a look at a few... THOREB AUSTRALIA THOREB AUSTRALIA is one of 10 subsidiaries of AB Thoreb Sweden, founded in 1978 by Ph. Dr. Thore Brynielsson. AB Thoreb proudly remains a family business, running manufacturing operations within its homeland of Sweden and various other locations throughout Europe. With more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, Thoreb Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swedish parent company, with a head office at Prestons, in southern Sydney.

Thoreb prides itself on its forward-thinking approach to technology, including its ‘Multiplexing’ technology, which aids in fleet management, vehicle control and passenger experience throughout automation and data collection, it states. The first bus ever manufactured in Australia using this technology was a joint project between Volgren and Brisbane City Council late in 1999. Built on a Volvo B10L chassis this bus was years ahead of its time, boasting the C90+ Konfram on-board computer some

18 years ago, showing the innovation and commitment Volgren and Volvo have made to the Australian market, cementing them both as current market leaders, says Thoreb. In more recent times, Thoreb continued its innovation at both B2B and B2C levels, unveiling real-time web tracking, telematics, fleet management, passenger counting systems and, most recently, top-quality white LED destination sign equipment made in Europe. For more information, visit: www.thoreb.com. busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

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Hanover’s new range of G4 LED displays are fully surface mounted and fully backwards compatible with existing products. We continue to offer an extensive range of sign sizes and colour options to suit different vehicle models.

Our latest range of Thin Film Transistor (TFT) displays provides crystal clear information to the travelling passengers ensuring the smooth running of transport networks.

Hanover’s G4 destination displays again set the global standard by offering an efficient, reliable and cost effective solution that is slimmer and lighter than our previous range of LED signs. G4 combines the very latest power efficient SMD technology with our patented power saving LORA software.

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The TFTs are automatically updated along the route, through a number of different inputs such as GPS, door switch and odometer. In addition to next stop, timetable and transfer information, the system can also be easily set up to show location-based advertising and real-time web and video feeds ensuring your passengers always have all the latest news.

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GUIDE

PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMSE

SMART CHOICE

Promoting safety, intelligence and operational efficiency through comprehensive passenger information solutions.

ASSENGER INFORMATION is a critical component of any transit operation, but technology advancements, operational efficiencies and real-time updates can make these once basic solutions a critical component of smart cities. As a single source for all passenger information, ranging from on-board destination displays, interior next-stop and infotainment to displays at stops and stations, Luminator Technology Group (Luminator) offers a complete, end-to-end solution consisting of all the hardware and software required to manage passenger information. With the added capability to integrate into system architecture, a modular, automated and service-friendly network of information can be obtained.

ON-BOARD PASSENGER INFORMATION Luminator supplies a full range of destination displays ranging from amber to full-colour for locations all around the bus or train. Optimised for durability and reliability, displays are easy to service and provide optimal visibility in all lighting conditions, ensuring the best readability for passengers. Interior display options are also versatile and optimised for operational efficiency. From simple text of next-stop displays to high-definition monitors displaying route information, advertising and public service announcements, content is easy to manage, update and automate for network-wide real-time updates.

STATIONS AND STOPS Offering best-in-class solutions utilizing E-paper, TFT and LED technologies,

Luminator supplies a full range of destination displays ranging from amber to full-colour. Luminator supplies a solution for virtually any application and mounting location. Possible locations range from large overview displays at rail stations to solar-powered displays in areas where power is not available or infeasible due to budget. Whether at close range or long distances, the technology Luminator supports provides a solution for all scenarios. With the ability to push real-time updates to the entire network or select

locations or routes, messages about delays, outages, service alerts, public service announcements and emergencies can be dispatched quickly to inform not only passengers but also pedestrians and the general public. No matter how complex or specific your requirements, Luminator’s technology solutions combine the most up-to-date passenger information for on-board or stationary applications. Regardless of their associated interfaces and data formats, our technology will turn it all into user-friendly, reliable applications. Clients in over 85 countries worldwide benefit from Luminator’s decades of software development experience. Our service teams are local, supplying support when and where you need it to ensure ongoing operational efficiencies and informed transport passengers.

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OUR BUS SOLUTIONS

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY Uniquely positioned to deliver a full range of hardware and software, as well as integration and support services, Luminator provides tangible benefits to transportation operators and passengers: • By delivering meaningful real-time information to transport agencies and passengers – providing the intelligence needed to make informed decisions • Enhancing safety with comprehensive security, lighting and accessibility options • Ensuring on-going efficiency with solutions that are easy to maintain, update and operate Learn more about how Luminator is bringing intelligence, safety and efficiency to transport by visiting: www.luminator.com E sales.au@luminator.com P (02) 9533 2000 A 10/85 Boundary Rd Mortdale 2223

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ABC 406.als - Base Edition 63

15/6/21 9:45 am

Yutong Bus Centre Brisbane CK

NEW

USED

ST O

LI ST MIT O E CK D

NEW

2016 YUTONG Goanna

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

80,00kms CUMMINS ISB4 4.5L, EURO5 103KW ALLISON 21006SP AUTO A/C.

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Yutong Bus Centre Brisbane Yutong Bus Centre Cairns

CK ST O

NEW

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57 Seats, Cummins ISB8.9E, 360hp, School Bus with through bins, ABS, ASR, EBS, ECAS and many more features.

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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

NEW

T12 series – A new level of comfort and freedom

ST O

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

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

Yutong Bus Centre Melbourne - PH (03) 8376 7121

ST O IN

2016 YUTONG Goanna

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

80,00kms CUMMINS ISB4 4.5L, EURO5 103KW ALLISON 21006SP AUTO A/C.

GREAT VALUE. CALL NOW

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ST O

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57 Seats, Cummins ISB8.9E, 360hp, School Bus with through bins, ABS, ASR, EBS, ECAS and many more features.

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GREAT VALUE. CALL NOW

yutong.com.au

USED

T12 series – A new level of comfort and freedom

NEW

ST O

$315,990 + GST & ORC Including Wheelchair Lift

NEW

LI ST MIT O E CK D

Yutong Bus Centre Melbourne

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

24 Grasslands Avenue, Craigieburn VIC 3064

ABC 406.als - Base Edition 64

15/6/21 9:45 am

WANT TO ADVERTISE? CALL 03 9567 4154

Bookings for next issue close on JULY 15th 2021

WHEN YOU’RE READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. The Volvo B8R chassis, fitted with a selection of Volgren, Marcopolo, Irizar, Custom or Coach Concept bodies, are priced to sell and ready for delivery. Volvo B8R Euro 5 Marcopolo Charter Coaches

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2019/2020 Models Available 57 High Backed seatbelted coach seats Spheros Air Conditioning TV/DVD Player Luggage Bins Immediate delivery

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1 x 2020 Model: QLD School Bus Spec Thermoking Air Conditioning, Sege ‘3 for 2’ seatbelted seats, Luggage Bins Located in Brisbane – Available Now

*Suitable for TfNSW Panel 3

Volvo Group Australia: Heavy Vehicle Technician (Bus) Volvo Commercial Vehicles (VCV) Prestons have a great opportunity for a trade-qualified Diesel Mechanic with an interest in the future of electromobility to join their passionate, fast-paced team servicing and repairing the best brands - Mack, UD and Volvo! About you: • Trade qualified Diesel Mechanic (Cert III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology) (or equivalent) • Experienced in servicing heavy commercial vehicles • Previous diagnostic investigation experience • Be a flexible-minded team player with exceptional customer service experience • Enjoy working with process and policy • Possess a solid understanding of safe working practices Benefits: • Hourly rate + generous tool allowance + loyalty allowance • Permanent, 38 hour working week, fortnightly paid wages • Additional superannuation payments* • Loyalty is valued with VGA Service Recognition Program • A dedicated Health & Wellbeing program including Employee Assistance Program and discounted Private Health Insurance & Dental • A workplace that offers you the opportunity to do truly meaningful work in a supportive, constructive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your CV to join@volvo.com with title: ABCM Heavy Vehicle Technician or call us on: +61 457 129 032.

busnews.com.au JUNE 2021 ABC

ABC 406.als - Base Edition 65

15/6/21 9:45 am

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

Road Boss, Cummins, Automatic, 53 Seatbelts, A/C

$115,000 + GST

2004 MERCEDES 0500RF

2000 MERCEDES 0405

1999 VOLVO B7

2010 SCANIA K320

2005 MERCEDES 0500RF

Volgren body, Lowfloor, 2-door, AC

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

$28,000 + GST

$50,000 + GST

$140,000 + GST

$95,000 + GST

2008 HINO RN8J

2002 IVECO

Higer A30, 57 Seatbelts, Auto, A/C, 385,000km

2006 HINO RK260

2013 BONLUCK

Autobus, 57 Seatbelts, A/C, Manual

Custom CB50 body, 61 seats, Manual, Thermoking. 480,000km

P&D body, 57 seats, Manual. 360,000 KMS

President, Cummins, Automatic, 57 Seatbelts, A/C

$75,000 + GST

$45,000 + GST

$56,000 + GST

$120,000 + GST

50 Recliners, Toilet, A/C, Manual

A/C, 57 Seats, Manual

$65,000 + GST

ABC-HH-5171496-TS-406

2013 HIGER

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ABC 406.als - Base Edition 66

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ABC-HH2-5129255-TS-402

WANT TO ADVERTISE? CALL 03 9567 4154

Bookings for next issue close on JULY 15th 2021

2 X 2013 HIGER MUNRO

2016 BONLUCK “SENATOR 9”

2009 ROADMASTER AUTOBUS

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

Cummins ISL320hp, Allison automatic inc retarder, 59 lap sash seat belted seats, Tracs A/C, large undefloor bins, very clean,travelled 351,000klm

$45,000.00+GST each

$135,000.00+GST

$80,0000.00+GST

$90,000.00+GST

2015 MERCEDES BENZ 0500R

2013 BONLUCK ‘SENATOR 12”

2013 BONLUCK “PRESIDENT 2”

2015 IVECO EURORIDER

Cummins ISL320hp

automatic, Irizar Century 12.5m body, 57 lap sash seat belted seats, A/C, DVD, travelled approx. 198,000.00klm

57 lap sash seated belted seats, approx. 275,000klm

Cummins ISL360hp, Allison automatic inc retarder, 53 lap sash seat belted seats in cloth, large underfloor bins, DVD, travelled approx. 242,000klm

$175,000.00+GST

$120,00.00+GST

Reduced to $130,000+GST

Alllison automatic inc retarder, A/C, underfloor bins, travelled

2017 MITSUBISHI ROSA DELUXE 6sp manual, 24 fixed coach seats inc lap sash seat belts, Sat Nav, Nudge bar, 50mm towbar, very clean, travelled approx. 109,000klm

automatic, 13.2m Irizar Century body, 52 lap sash seat belted recliners, toilet, A/C, travelled only 102,000klm

$215,000+GST Neg

2010 SCANIA K320IB A30

2018 VOLVO B8R automatic, Marcopolo 57 passenger lap sash seat belted, Spheros A/C, underfloor bins, DVD travelled only 105,000klm

automatic, 57 passenger lap sash seat belted, A/C, underfloor bins, DVD, travelled approx 380,000klms.

Reduced to $245,000.00+GST

$140,000.00+GST Neg

2 X 2011 MITSUBISHI ROSA DELUXE

2012-2014 BOX TRAILERS VARIOUS SIZES

automatic, 24 fixed coach seats inc lap sash seat belts, travelled approx. 320,000klms

$26,500.00+GST each

2011 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”

all Fibreglass bodies, side and rear doors, 750kg-1500kg rated, 7x5- 8x6-9x7

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

from $3-6,000.00+GST

$85,000+GST each

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Over 36 years experience in the bus and coach industry

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• Large Shed/Depo for Buses • Large Storage Shed • Wheel Lifts • Student number are increasing each year • Based 2hrs N/W of Brisbane

The property is on 5 acres and is close to the town centre, backing onto Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. 5 Bedroom home with fully set up office and fantastic entertainment area. We have an excellent reputation based on great service for the past 30 years of operation. $1.8 million. All serious offers may be considered..

e: gilliesbuses@gmail.com m: 0427 630 435 p: 07 4163 0435 busnews.com.au JUNE 2021 ABC

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ABC 406.als - Base Edition 68

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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 406.als - Base Edition 69

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15/6/21 9:45 am

DELIVERIES

MAY 2021

Deliveries maintain consistent pace in May There’s ittle change in monthly figures and yearly average, exclusive ABC data reveals.

ay’s bus and coach deliveries remain in line with 2021 trends, ending at 91 for the month. The ongoing consistency sees three of the five months so far at 91 or 92 – the outliers being 99 and 87 – while both the median and average are a steady 92. In the chassis sector, Volvo takes top spot from Scania with 35 deliveries, one off its yearly best, while the latter eases to 21. Mercedes-Benz and Yutong share third spot with 13 each. BLK Auto, formerly referred to as BLK/Bonluck before its recent re-branding, recorded three deliveries. A busy body-building sector, involving 17 brands, was once again led by Volgren with 19 deliveries plus a further three from subsidiary Supportrans. Yutong matched its 13 chassis with 13 bodies. Bustech, despite no chassis this month, recorded 10 body builds. Custom Bus followed on nine, and BCI was in a similar

situation to Bustech, with no chassis but eight bodies. Another interesting deliveries trend, this time in the air-con sector, sees Thermo King with 37 units for the third month this year (the other two months saw 36 and 40). Spheros was second in 13, with Cling-Yutong the other to reach double figures. Victoria led the way for the states on 33 per cent, followed by NSW on 25 per cent. WA wasn’t far behind on 23 per cent. Turn overleaf for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for May. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, at their discretion.

May’s bus and coach deliveries remain in line with 2021 trends, ending at 91 for the month.

ABC June 2021 busnews.com.au

ABC_406_070-71_Bus Deliveries column FC.indd 70

16/06/2021 2:51:34 PM

Volgren 19 Yutong 13 Bustech 10 Custom Bus 9 BCI 8 Express Coaches 5 BLK Auto 4 Gemilang 4 Scania Higer Touring 4 Irizar 3 Volgren/Supportrans 3 Coach Concepts 2 Coach Design 2 P&D Coachworks 2 Challenger 1 Marcopolo 1 Omnibus 1

7% SA

33% VIC

12% QLD

23% WA

SALES BY BODY A busy body-building sector, involving 17 brands, was once again led by Volgren with 19 deliveries plus a further three from subsidiary Supportrans. Yutong matched its 13 chassis with 13 bodies. Bustech, despite no chassis this month,recorded 10 body builds. Custom Bus followed on nine, and BCI was in a similar situation to Bustech, with no chassis but eight bodies.

SALES BY AIR-CONDITIONER

Another interesting deliveries trend, this time in the aircon sector, sees Thermo King with 37 units for the third month this year (the other two months saw 36 and 40). Spheros was second in 13, with Cling-Yutong the other to reach double figures.

Thermo King 37 Spheros 13 Cling-Yutong 10 Hispacold 8

Percentage by

REGION

25% NSW

N/A Denso Coachair Konvekta

8 6 5 4

VOLVO 35 SCANIA 21 MERCEDES-BENZ 13 YUTONG 13 BLK AUTO 3

Sales by chassis In the chassis sector, Volvo takes top spot from Scania with 35 deliveries, one off its yearly best, while the latter eases to 21. Mercedes-Benz and Yutong share third spot with 13 each. BLK Auto, formerly referred to as BLK/Bonluck before its recent re-branding, recorded three deliveries.

MAN 3 HINO 2 CHALLENGER 1

busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

ABC_406_070-71_Bus Deliveries column FC.indd 71

16/06/2021 2:51:55 PM

DELIVERIES

MAY 2021

BLK AUTO CHALLENGER HINO MAN MERCEDES-BENZ

SCANIA

VOLVO

CHASSIS (Model)

BODY BUILDER

ENGINES HP*

Rear / Front

TRANSM

Emissions standard

School Bus Logistics

President 10

BLK Auto

250

Euro 5

VIC

MAN President 2

BLK Auto

320

Euro 5

Mahoneys Coaches

NSW

V12 GT

Challenger

360

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

FD240

P&D Coachworks

240

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

FD240

P&D Coachworks

240

Euro 5

Coast and Country

QLD

IC.19.320.RR8

BLK Auto

320

Euro 5

Premier Motor Services

NSW

LE.19.320.RC2.E6

Custom Bus

320

Euro 6

N/A N/A

VIC

OC500RF E5 1936

Coach Design

360

Euro 5

VIC

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

Euro 6

N/A

VIC

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

Euro 6

N/A

VIC

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

Euro 6

N/A

OC500RF E5 1936

Omnibus

360

Euro 5

N/A

VIC

OC500RF E5 1936

Coach Design

360

Euro 5

N/A

OC500RF/3 E5 2543

BCI

360

Euro 5

N/A

OC500RF/3 E5 2543

BCI

360

Euro 5

N/A

OC500RF/3 E5 2543

BCI

360

Euro 5

N/A

VIC

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

Euro 6

N/A

VIC

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

Euro 6

N/A N/A

QLD

O500RS

Irizar

348

Euro 5

QLD

O500RS

Irizar

348

Euro 5

CDC Sunshine Pty Ltd

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Volgren/Supportrans

310

Euro 5

Department of Public Transport Infrastructure

K 320 UB4X2

Bustech

320

Euro 6

L C Dyson's Bus Services

VIC

K 310 UB4X2

Gemilang

310

Euro 5

McHarry's Bus Lines

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Express Coaches

310

Euro 5

McHarry's Bus Lines

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Express Coaches

310

Euro 5

McHarry's Bus Lines

VIC

K 310 UB4X2

Express Coaches

310

Euro 5

McHarry's Bus Lines

VIC

K 320 UB4X2

Express Coaches

320

Euro 6

Mee's Bus Lines

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Coach Concepts

310

Euro 5

Mooroopna Passenger Service

VIC

K 360 IB4X2

Scania Higer Touring

360

Euro 5

Tasmanian Tours & Travel

VIC

K 320 UB4X2

Express Coaches

320

Euro 6

Ventura Bus Lines

VIC

K 360 IB4X2

Scania Higer Touring

360

Euro 6

Ventura Bus Lines

VIC

K 360 IB4X2

Scania Higer Touring

360

Euro 6

WBL

VIC

K 310 IB4X2

Volgren/Supportrans

310

Euro 5

Kanga Coach Lines

B8R

Marcopolo

330

Euro 5

Nuline Charter

VIC

B8R

Supportrans

330

Euro 5

VIC

B5LH

Volgren

240

Euro 6

Port Stephen Coaches

NSW

B11R

Coach Concepts

410

Euro 5

Buslines Group

NSW

B8RLE

Bustech

320

Euro 6

Busways Pacific

NSW

B8R

Custom

330

Euro 5

Irizar Asia Pacific

QLD

B11R

Irizar

450

Euro 5

Westside Bus Co

QLD

B8RLE

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Transport for Brisbane

QLD

B8RLE

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Perth Transport Authorities

B8RLE

Volgren

320

Euro 6

Perth Transport Authorities

B8RLEA

Volgren

320

Euro 6

N/A

D12

Yutong

360

Euro 5

N/A

D12

Yutong

360

Euro 5

N/A

D12

Yutong

360

Euro 5

N/A

D12

Yutong

360

Euro 5

N/A

D12

Yutong

360

Euro 5

N/A

T12

Yutong

350

Euro 5

N/A

T12

Yutong

350

Euro 5

N/A

T12

Yutong

350

Euro 5

N/A

NSW

E12

Yutong

422kWh

Zero Emission

N/A

NSW

E12

Yutong

422kWh

Zero Emission

N/A

NSW

E12

Yutong

422kWh

Zero Emission

N/A

NSW

E12

Yutong

422kWh

Zero Emission

N/A

NSW

E12

Yutong

422kWh

Zero Emission

TOTAL DELIVERIES 91 72

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

Hurstbridge Bus & Coach

CDC Victoria

YUTONG

UNITS

MANUFACTURER, OPERATOR & LOCATION

ABC June 2021 busnews.com.au

ABC_406_072-73_Bus Deliveries Table FC.indd 72

16/06/2021 2:53:53 PM

NUMBER OF SEATS

APPLICATION

AXLES

TRANSMISSION

BODY LENGTH

uro 5

Allison

10.06

Spheros

12.5

Spheros

– –

– X

– –

X X

Yes

43 57

Sege

uro 5

Sege

Yes

uro 5

Cummins

12.36

Thermo King

–

Fainsa

Yes

uro 5

Hino

10.00

Thermo King

Hino

Thermo King

– –

X X

– –

Styleride

uro 5

43 43

Styleride

uro 5

10-12.9

Spheros

10-12.9

Thermo King

– –

X –

– X

– –

Sege

uro 6

X X

Custom

uro 5

13.5

Thermo King

13.5

Denso

– –

– X

X –

57 61

McConnell

uro 6

McConnell

uro 6

13.5

Denso

–

McConnell

uro 6

13.5

Denso

–

McConnell

uro 5

13.5

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 5

13.5

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 5

13.5

N/A

–

N/A

uro 5

13.5

N/A

–

N/A

uro 5

13.5

N/A

–

N/A

uro 6

13.5

Denso

–

McConnell

uro 6

13.5

Denso

–

McConnell

uro 5

12.5

Hispacold

12.5

Hispacold

– –

X X

– –

Sege

uro 5

57 57

Sege

uro 5

12.5

Coachair

11.7

Hispacold

– 43

– –

– x

x –

– –

McConnell

uro 6

57 –

Precision Bus

uro 5

Thermo King

–

NB Trimming

–

McConnell

issions andard

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

TRANS MAKE

(metres)

AIR-CON (Brand)

Fixed Coach

Recliners

Metro

Long Distance

Charter

City or Route

School

SEATING

SEAT BELTS

uro 5

12.5

Coachair

uro 5

Coachair

–

McConnell

uro 5

12.5

Coachair

–

McConnell

uro 6

Scania

12.5

Coachair

–

McConnell

uro 5

Scania

Denso

–

Styleride

uro 5

Scania

12.3

Konvekta

–

Styleride

uro 6

12.5

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 6

12.3

Konvekta

–

McConnell

uro 6

12.3

Konvekta

12.5

Thermo King

– –

– x

57 57

McConnell

uro 5

Styleride

uro 5

10-12.9

N/A

10-12.9

Thermo King

– –

X X

– –

Marcopolo

uro 5

57 57

McConnells

uro 6

Volvo

10-12.9

N/A

–

McConnells

uro 5

Volvo

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 6

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

Styleride

uro 5

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnells

uro 5

Volvo

10-12.9

Hispacold

–

Sege

uro 6

Volvo

10-12.9

Thermo King

–

McConnell

uro 6

10-12.9

Spheros

–

McConnell

uro 6

10-12.9

Thermo King

10-12.9

Thermo King

41 X

– –

X X

– –

McConnell

uro 6

– –

McConnell

uro 5

Allison

12.4

Cling-Yutong

Allison

12.4

Cling-Yutong

– –

X X

– –

Yutong

uro 5

57 57

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

12.4

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

12.4

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

Allison

12.4

Cling-Yutong

–

Yutong

uro 5

12.4

Spheros

–

Yutong

uro 5

12.4

Spheros

–

Yutong

uro 5

12.4

Spheros

–

Yutong

Emission

N/A

12.5

Cling-Yutong

–

Styleride

Emission

N/A

12.5

Cling-Yutong

–

Styleride

Emission

N/A

12.5

Cling-Yutong

–

Styleride

Emission

N/A

12.5

Cling-Yutong

–

Styleride

Emission

N/A

12.5

Cling-Yutong

–

Styleride

*Bustech Group comprises Bustech, Elphinstone and Precision Buses. Volgren’s count includes any units from its partnership with Supportrans.

busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC

ABC_406_072-73_Bus Deliveries Table FC.indd 73

16/06/2021 2:54:23 PM

MAXIMISE your audience reach with

3,315

AUDITED CIRCULATION*

+28,366 WEBSITE VISITORS EVERY MONTH†

Australasian Bus & Coach (ABC) distributes 3,315 copies every month based on the auditing period April to September 2020. These figures are independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board (CAB). Are Media proudly publishes CAB audit figures for Australasian Transport News (ATN), Australasian Bus & Coach (ABC) and Owner Driver magazines.

Visit industry.aremedia.com.au for more information. *Average number of copies distributed per issue for the 6 months from April to September 2020. †Average Sessions per month, January to December 2020

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15/6/21 12:40 pm

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ABC 406.als - Base Edition 75

15/6/21 9:06 am

TFNSW PROCUREMENT PANEL APPROVED

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ABC 406.als - Base Edition 76

Mick Neskes National Sales Manager 0422 224 117

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15/6/21 9:08 am

Australasian Bus & Coach 406 June 2021

Articles inside

test drive | iveco shuttle 22

operator | st marys bus nsw

coverstory | transdev e-mobility

In focus | sealink rap

In focus | volvo tafe partnership

In focus | cdc kbhac funding

news | the front line

In focus | volvo-volgren brisbane

editorial | ignition

In focus | transdev e-bus phase 3

bic column