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.

The 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

can be scaled-up to operate zero-emission bus fl eets.”

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 fl eet 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 benefi ts 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 fl eet to zero emissions transport within the decade, and the Queensland government has indicated every new bus that is added to the state’s fl eet 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 benefi ts of zero-emission buses and providing valuable data about how this technology can be scaled-up to operate zeroemission bus fl eets.

trial will continue until October 31, 2021, Transdev confi rms.

ABOUT TRANSDEV

Transdev believes public transport plays an important part in how a city comes to life, it says. Its day-to-day work infl uences 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.