With our new national parts distribution centre and the appointment of our Spare Parts Manager, BYD Commercial Vehicles has taken the next step in streamlining our service and support, keeping your fleet running smoothly with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
The
450th edition of ABC Magazine is all about new technology, with the industry continuing to forge forward despite new challenges arising
It was only a few years ago that the concept of a zero-emissions bus in Australia was talked about as a fantasy. Yes, there had been instances of trial models being tested on local roads well before these times, but the idea of introducing one into full-time fleets was treated as a farflung wish for the future.
In the past couple of years alone, the industry has proven its technological capabilities by making these designs come off the page and sending them out to operate on very quiet routes around Australia. From the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD to tourism vehicles up in Far North Queensland, zero-emissions buses now lead the charge in the country’s bus industry. While previously viewed as a mirage, the local industry has travelled quickly along the highway of progression to bring this shimmering vision into crystal clear view. It’s now our reality, and there’s plenty that companies are doing to shoot for the stars with the latest zero-emissions vehicle technology.
details of the government’s changes, but the industry is now mobilised to challenge this issue. To get to the bottom of this story, check out both the Bus Industry Confederation’s open letter to the Victorian government on page 19 and ABC ’s own exclusive look into how it is impacting Victoria’s bus industry from page 25.
Enough of the challenges facing the industry – the rest of this edition continues along the ZEB path.
Vehicle OEMs such as Bus Stop Sales, Scania Australia, GoZero Group, Volvo and BCI all discuss their latest evolutions in the zero-emissions bus game, as well as their insights into the market from a manufacturing point of view.
From the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD to tourism vehicles up in Far North Queensland, zero-emissions buses now lead the charge in the country’s bus industry
All of this and more is celebrated in our February edition of ABC, which focuses on the current zero-emissions bus and coach innovation on display in the Australian industry. A key reason behind this rapid progression is international influence – it’s hard to look past the likes of BYD as a primary candidate for this role. Since forming its own commercial vehicles division in Australia just shy of two years ago, BYD has already introduced an update to its leading chassis model in the country. From page 20, BYD’s whirlwind story in Australia shows there’s plenty more in the pipeline for the international manufacturing giant. With these stories of advancement also comes a sombre look at speed humps the Australian industry is facing. On Christmas Eve last year, the Victorian bus industry received an almighty roadblock when the Victorian government revealed it was “deferring” all bus orders by up to five years while also extending the lifespan of existing buses by the same period of time. It’s taken a lot of discussions and digging to uncover the
However, there’s more than just the OEMs involved in this transition, and our ZEB feature also extends to other parts of the industry. Whether it be financing, which Bus Finance Australia has found to become an incredibly crucial part of an operator’s decision to make the switch, or charge management solutions provided by brands like INIT Australia, plenty is happening.
Seating is also a growing member of this sector, with both Sege and StyleRide expanding their lightweight seating models to meet the demand for new vehicle technology. Alongside the latest Australian Design Rule updates for seatbelts and our usual assortment of sections, this, the 450th edition of ABC Magazine, comes at a crucial time for an industry facing change. Thanks for being part of our journey, and we hope you enjoy the read.
Sean Mortell EDITOR, ABC
06. editorial | ignition IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF CHANGE
The 450th edition of ABC Magazine is all about new technology
10. news | all aboard
Check out the latest news from around Australia and the world
18. column | BIC OPEN LETTER
Following the Victorian bus supply news, the Bus Industry Confederation has penned an open letter to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan features
20. cover story | byd FORGING REPUTATIONS
In just over 18 months, BYD’s local commercial vehicles division has built a quality a ersales team ready to welcome the brand’s upcoming new zero-emissions models
25. feature | victorian orders THE GREAT VICTORIAN PAUSE
An ABC exclusive looks at the fallout of Victoria’s bus supply issue, with an email to operators on Christmas Eve sparking a concerning chain of events
28. feature | bus stop JUST GETTING STARTED
With a keen eye into the Australian bus and coach industry, Bus Stop Sales is helping drive the King Long brand in Australia
30. feature | E-T-A POWERING UP
E-T-A ElectroTechnical Applications’ newest intelligent control system is paving the way for the electric bus transition
32. feature | scania STRIKING GOLD
With a relationship spanning over 10 years, Apple City Tours is more than confident in its Scania models
34. feature | bci FORWARD THINKING
Kangaroo Bus Lines and BCI have joined forces to create a new product that could change the face of accessibility in the industry
36. feature | volvo FENCED IN
Volvo is driving home its safety-first motto with technology that could see a decline in on-road accidents
38 feature | gozero group POWERING FORWARD
GoZero Group’s newest leader is already moving to bring electric bus advancements to Australia
40. feature | init TURNING ELECTRIC
INIT Australia is spearheading the way when it comes to effectively managing electric vehicles
42. feature I sege PLAYING FAVOURITES
Sege Seats’ list of loyal friends continues to grow as it focuses on its customers
44. feature | bus finance FINANCING TOMORROW
Over the past year, Bus Finance Australia has expanded its industry knowledge base
46. feature | styleride TOURING IN COMFORT
StyleRide’s partnership with Fun Over 50 Holidays is enabling travellers to get a first-class experience
48. feature | cure cancer RAISING FOR RESEARCH
Cure Cancer’s national campaign is encouraging the Australian community to hold a BBQ with a twist
51. competition | best bus AOTEAROA EXPLORER
The February winner of ABC’s Best Bus comes courtesy of Grady Weatherley-Connell departments
84. factory facts | bus deliveries JANUARY DELIVERIES
Check out the latest bus and coach supplier sales data collected and recorded for you to review and see how the market fared in January
89. back seat | women in the industry SWITCHING GEARS
Cobey Hadley always had her eyes set on fixing vehicles, so when an opportunity came to work with Dysons buses, she jumped at the chance
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The federal government has unveiled an ADR that will require new seatbelt wearing monitoring technology to be fitted to Australian buses and coaches
The federal government announced early last month a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) that will require buses and coaches to feature seatbelt wearing monitoring technology.
The new ADR is the first official change made in response to the horrific Hunter Valley bus crash in June 2023 that demonstrated the impact fatal road crashes can have on families and the wider community.
Following calls for improved safety in the industry, the new requirements launched at Kangaroo Bus Lines’ depot in Queensland will force all buses and coaches to include seatbelt monitoring technology.
The new ADR – 68/01 – Occupant Protection in Buses, requires visual and audio alerts to be fitted that encourages usage where three-point seatbelts are already fitted, removing a loophole that allowed some coaches to not be fitted with seatbelts.
From November 1, 2026, all new models of buses and coaches in Australia must be fitted with this technology that acts similarly to those in airplanes, while from November 1, 2027, all new existing model buses and coaches will be required to have the technology installed.
“Our industry applauds the government’s commitment to bus operators, the public and bus safety on delivering the first in a series of outcomes to further improve bus safety for the millions of loved ones we carry every day,” Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) chair Tony Hopkins says.
“These safety outcomes further improve what is generally regarded as the most stringent seatbelt rules for buses in the world.
“With seatbelt usage currently as low as seven per cent on some services, this provides a simple but powerful message that reminds bus passengers to fasten a seatbelt.
The new ADR is the first official change made in response to the horrific Hunter Valley bus crash. Image: AGDER/ stock.adobe.com
“A er all, if a seatbelt is provided in a bus, it must be worn by law.”
While current data shows bus and coach travel remains one of the safest forms of transport, their size and passenger capacity can result in a greater number of fatalities and serious injuries occurring in the event of an incident.
This new ADR is an outcome of the ongoing commitment to bus safety and co-operation with industry and states and territories by the federal government. These new requirements are set to take the next step toward prompting passengers to protect themselves when travelling by bus and coach.
This new ADR is in addition to other design changes introduced by the federal government, including the mandating of lane departure warning systems for heavy vehicles.
“The pain caused by the devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley continues to be felt by the families and wider community 18 months a er the
incident,” federal assistant regional development manager Anthony Chisholm says.
“Nothing is more important than ensuring people get home safely each time they travel on our roads, that’s why our government is doing what it can to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring again.
“That’s why we’re working with states, territories, industry and aff ected family members to identify and amend design rules to ensure people are kept safe by their seatbelts, should the worst happen.
“Travelling by bus is one of the safest forms of transport in Australia, and these new audible and visual signage requirements will ensure this continues to be the case.
“These changes won’t just improve safety for new buses manufactured a er November 2026, they’ll also set the industry benchmark standard for safety, which can be used to improve the safety standards applied for all existing buses.”
Volvo’s Safety Zone technology gives Australian bus operators greater control over their fleet using advanced geofencing. By automatically adjusting vehicle speed in designated areas –such as school zones, depots, cafe strips, shopping centres, and busy city streets – it helps reduce risks for passengers, drivers, and pedestrians.
This intelligent system enables operators to create customised Safety Zones, enhancing compliance with local road safety standards while supporting smoother, more efficient operations. Investing in Volvo Safety Zones is a proactive step toward safer and more reliable public transport. Contact us today to learn more.
The new Busways CEO is excited to focus on leading the business and preparing Busways for growth opportunities
Australian-owned bus operator Busways has announced Will O’Neill will be stepping up as its new chief executive officer, eff ective from January 1.
O’Neill has spent over a decade at Busways, most recently as chief financial officer and commercial officer, bringing 30 years of commercial and financial experience to the role.
O’Neill succeeds Byron Rowe, who spent the last seven years as managing director, and will continue his work at the company serving as executive chair.
Rowe says that the shi in leadership ensures Busways is primed for long-term success.
“This transition is all about strengthening Busways and setting us up for what’s next. We’ve got a strong team at Busways and a clear plan in place,” Rowe says.
“As Executive Chair, I will concentrate on strategic projects and long-term growth initiatives, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional service and value for government and communities.
“Having worked alongside Will for
over a decade, I’m fully confident in his ability to lead Busways with the same dedication and drive we’ve always shared.
“His commitment and insight make him a natural fit for the role, he’ll keep our dedicated team moving forward with strength and purpose.”
O’Neill says he looks forward to focusing on leading the business and preparing Busways for growth opportunities.
“At the heart of my new responsibility as CEO is doing justice to the legacy that has been built in this business, together with guiding our continued development and growth to set up for the next generation of leaders,” O’Neill says.
A key part of that is developing and retaining good people, he says.
“As a service business, our people are the key to our success. We work hard to provide our people with the environment they need to succeed. This is a great business, with great people.
“This is why Busways is an Australian success story. In the 1970s there were approximately 40 private bus operators in the Sydney metro
area, the most challenging and competitive market in Australia. Today, there is only one – Busways – and we serve 20 per cent of the market.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to lead such a wonderful organisation and I am excited about continuing to deliver for our clients and customers as we continue to grow.”
From Redcliffe Station, passengers can now travel to the Perth CBD in about 15 mins at no cost
Travellers coming in and out of Perth will now have access to a free-fare bus service that is providing a hassle-free way to connect to the Airport Line.
Previously, there was no direct connection from T3 and T4 to a train station, with passengers needing to take the Route 292 bus service which connects them to Redcliff e Station on the Airport Line.
Passengers were having to purchase a cash ticket if they
did not have a SmartRider.
Now, the free-fare bus service will give passengers, especially visitors, an easier and hassle-free way to connect to the Airport Line and continue their journey.
From Redcliff e Station, passengers can travel to the Perth CBD in about 15 mins for less than $5 with a SmartRider or purchase a $5.20 cash fare from a ticket machine with credit/debit card facilities.
Below:
The free-fare bus service is providing a hassle-free connection. Image: Perth Airport
A new report released by NSW Auditor-General Bola Oyetunji has called out Transport for NSW for not effectively managing multi-billion-dollar bus contracts in Sydney
The report says private operators of Sydney’s bus services are regularly failing to meet on-time running targets and are not adequately dealing with complaints.
Oyetunji found that bus operators were below a target of 95 per cent on-time running (OTR) most of the time between January 2023 and May last year. In the 17-month period, bus operators met or beat the target in only 15 per cent of instances.
“TfNSW has worked with individual operators to try to improve OTR at all of the timing points and has levied abatements (penalty payments resulting from an operator’s failure to meet contractually specified performance levels) where appropriate. However, OTR across the GSBC regions is below target in most months since the contracts began,” the report reads.
The rate of cancelled and incomplete bus trips did improve since early 2023, yet some operators never met performance targets during the 17 months. The target is for no more than 0.5 per cent of services to be cancelled or fail to finish their trips each month.
The audit found a clear link between the percentage of cancelled/ incomplete trips and the bus driver shortage, as when the number of vacancies drops, so does the number of cancelled/incomplete trips.
The number of customer complaints in May last year was about double that in April 2022 – almost 29 complaints per 100,000 boardings compared to more than 14.
The report was critical of TfNSW’s handling of customer complaints, noting that the agency has not conducted systematic analysis of the topics of customer complaints. Some of the most popular complaints were buses missing scheduled stops and arriving late or trips not operating.
“TfNSW is not eff ectively managing
bus contracts to ensure that operators are meeting contractual performance obligations and customer needs,” the report concludes.
“TfNSW has not responded strategically to ensure bus contracts are delivering eff ective services in the context of an evolving transport system and changes in work and travel patterns.
“There are gaps in TfNSW’s contract management specific procedures and delegations. These gaps mean that the risks of inappropriate exercise of delegations, non-compliance with contractual requirements and/or inappropriate use of public funds are not fully addressed.”
The auditor-general recommends that by June 2025, TfNSW should increase the strategic contract management capacity of the bus contracts team to address the gaps identified, commensurate with the
value and complexity of the Greater Sydney Bus Contracts, which are worth approximately $8 billion in total.
The agency was also urged to review and address gaps in contract management specific procedures and delegations to ensure clarity in the current framework, and to avoid the risk of inconsistent and inappropriate decision-making and establish and start a process of regular auditing of the efficacy of operator responses to customer complaints.
By December 2025, the audit recommends that TfNSW should implement strategic planning, including enhanced data analysis, to address ongoing and emerging issues that may have an impact on bus performance across all GSBC regions, and to improve bus operator performance.
Le a r n ab o ut th e el e c t rifi c ati o n of yo u r b u s fl e et i n a n excl u si ve w ebi n a r o n April 15 , 04 .00 - 05: 00 pm A E ST!
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The new facility would go hand-in-hand with Foton’s latest contract to deliver 126 battery electric buses to service Greater Sydney
Nowra could soon be home to a brand-new electric bus manufacturing facility, with Foton Mobility Distribution planning to build the 6000 square foot centre from late 2025.
The project follows Foton’s recently awarded contract with the NSW government where it is set to deliver 126 battery electric buses that will be built in Nowra and service bus routes across Greater Sydney.
The new facility won’t just be for manufacturing buses, but it’s also set to produce battery electric trucks, as well as hydrogen fuel cell engines, creating around 100 ongoing quality, skilled manufacturing jobs for local workers.
“When the NSW government says we want to build more buses here, we mean it,” former NSW transport minister Jo Haylen says.
“Once our partners at Foton get this plant up and running there will be an extra 100 quality manufacturing jobs right here. That’s great news for Nowra and a big boost for NSW manufacturing.
“We want our local manufacturers and suppliers have good opportunities
The new facility won’t just be for manufacturing buses, but also producing battery electric trucks and hydrogen fuel cell engines. Image: Foton Mobility Distribution
to get involved in building the Zero Emissions Buses that we need.
That’s why we have structured our zero-emissions bus program in a way that builds our bus manufacturing capacity for the long term.”
Foton’s bus contract was one of the first bus orders made through the NSW government’s Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) program. GoZero Group owns 50 per cent of Foton Mobility Distribution.
This program is also converting 11 existing bus depots in Greater Sydney to battery electric technology, building a new battery electric depot at Macquarie Park and procuring around
1,200 new electric buses by 2028.
“The off shoring of public transport by the former government was a complete disaster, which is why we’re building these buses here in NSW – creating local jobs and public transport that works,” NSW Premier Chris Minns says.
“This state of the art facility in Nowra will create ongoing skilled jobs in regional NSW while also delivering emissions free world class public transport for the people of our state.
“Workers across NSW are great at building public transport like these buses, and under our government they’re building them here again.”
GoZero Group is edging nearer to securing a major funding agreement with an American global investment firm
New South Wales based zero-emissions bus manufacturer
GoZero Group is reportedly coming close to securing a financial agreement with private capital business The Carlyle Group.
As reported by the Australian Financial Review (AFR), the pair have nearly finalised an agreement that will result in a $200 million debt facility and Carlyle joining GoZero’s lending pool. Once secured, the deal would allow GoZero to continue pursuing its goal
of electrifying all 8,000 of the state’s bus network and charging them at the
The funding arrangement would come a er GoZero last secured an $80 million funding package from Commonwealth Bank that allowed it to convert diesel school coaches to electric GoZero models for Sydney schools.
On top of owning electric bus brand Nexport and private operator North Sydney Bus Charter, GoZero Group also owns 50 per cent of Foton Mobility Distribution Australia.
Transport and main roads minister says the former Labor government ‘bungled the rollout’ of the program, leaving a mess behind
The long-overdue Smart Ticketing program in Queensland has blown out by $60 million due to years of delays and mismanagement under the former Labor government, the current government has claimed.
The program allows passengers to tap on and off public transport using a credit card, debit cards, smart phone or smart watch.
Originally set to be complete by March 2022, updates to the Translink network are still underway, with Brisbane and Gold Coast bus commuters unable to toss out their Go-Cards until the rollout is finalised by mid this year.
The original budget of $371 million has blown out to $433.75 million due to delays in the rollout, and for further development, testing and acceptance of the new system.
Transport and main roads minister Brent Mickelberg says the delay and overspend was a ‘total bungle’ by the former Labor government, with the project not officially complete until December 2027.
“In 2018, Labor told Queensland a new ticketing system would be rolled out ‘soon’ and here we are seven years later, and still years away from a final completion date,”Mickelberg says.
“Running two systems due to Labor’s
delays is not efficient but must be done to ensure everyone who wants to use public transport can, no matter how they choose to tap on.
“The Queensland government is encouraging more people onto public transport by making 50c fares permanent and providing more frequent and reliable services.
“It’s a shame Labor bungled the rollout of this new ticketing service which we will now work to get back on track.”
Even though smart ticketing will be fully installed across the network within months, those who choose not to, or are unable to use a credit card or smart phone, will need to keep tapping
their Go-Card until a replacement reloadable card is available.
This means Smart Ticketing and the Go-Card system will need to run simultaneously until the end of 2027.
Smart Ticketing is now available to customers on all South East Queensland trains, Brisbane River and Southern Moreton Island ferries, Gold Coast tram services and nine bus operators covering the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redlands areas.
The final three bus operators, Brisbane City Council, Clarks Logan City Bus Service and Kinetic Gold Coast, are on track to have smart ticketing installed by June.
Following the Victorian bus supply news, the Bus Industry Confederation has penned an open letter to the Victorian Premier addressing key issues
Dear Premier Allan,
The Bus Industry Confederation and its members are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recent deferral of bus replacement and upgrade orders for up to five years by the Victorian Labor government. This decision, announced quietly on Christmas Eve, has significant implications for the bus industry as well as public safety.
This deferral of purchases for 2.5 years in metropolitan and five years in regional areas has raised serious concerns that the bus industry must bring to your attention. The Victorian government has stated that the public bus fleet will be progressively phased out and replaced by zero-emissions buses from July 1. However, this decision overlooks several critical issues including the lack of a transparent long-term volume plan that provides clarity for the industry, as opposed to negotiating with operators separately.
We believe this is a cost reduction plan under the guise of an eco-friendly transition plan.
The viability of the manufacturing and supplier industry in Victoria is at real risk of closing, moving interstate or overseas. The lack of order supply will threaten 1,100 jobs in Victoria, as well as another 250 jobs nationally, not to mention the up to 250 businesses. This would ultimately result in a loss of sovereign expertise, contradicting the Prime Minister’s Made in Australia policy. It would see a removal of up to $270M from the Victorian economy in the next year alone, plus up to $30M in government revenue through lost stamp duty and GST.
Inspections of older buses simply
do not provide the same safety benefits as newer buses. Newer buses come equipped with advanced safety features, such as electronic stability control (ESC) and the latest seatbelt technology, which are crucial for passenger safety.
The government claims to be converting the public bus fleet to quieter, more comfortable and lower-emission vehicles while slashing emissions, yet the reality is that deferring the purchase of new buses will actually increase emissions.
The industry is at a loss as to why the benefits of a Euro 6 diesel vehicle are not considered part of the solution for reducing carbon emissions. In fact, a Euro 6 diesel engine produces 90 per cent fewer airborne pollutants compared to an 18-year-old bus. For every year that new buses are not procured – even a clean Euro 6 Diesel Bus – an additional 6.3 tonnes of Particulate Matter commonly called black soot (a known carcinogen) enters the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas, also remains unnecessarily excessive due to the aging fleet.
Additionally, transport is responsible for 17 per cent of total emissions in Australia. If every Euro 0 through Euro 4 bus and truck was replaced with vehicles meeting Euro 5 standards or above, total emissions could be reduced by 50 per cent.
The industry challenges the government’s statement of: “We have listened to bus operators and manufacturers over the past three years on our Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan and we will continue to work with them every step of the way to deliver the best outcome for the bus industry and passengers.’ The lack of a transparent long-term volume
plan that provides clarity and certainty for the industry contradicts this claim.
Deferring supply of ZEBs while waiting for infrastructure to catch up should be about taking advantage of emission-friendly Euro 6 or other technologies featuring the latest safety features. Meanwhile, less-emission-friendly vehicles not equipped with the latest safety technology should be taken off the road.
Transitioning to ZEBs should not only respect the environment but also support existing and new industry businesses, jobs and the critical supply and maintenance skills required for transition, an agnostic approach to the technology where the right solution suits the application, the safety benefits new technology offers and the creation of long-term volume plans allowing industry to look years ahead.
The Bus Industry Confederation and its members urge the Victorian government to reconsider its decision, working collectively and directly with the entire Victorian bus industry towards a five-year long-term volume plan that provides clarity, economic stability, business-viable jobs in Victoria and public safety.
Sincerely, The Bus Industry Confederation (Australia).
In
just over 18 months, BYD’s local commercial vehicles division has built an a ersales team that is ready for more major releases later this year
Just short of two years ago, the global force that is BYD decided to establish its own commercial vehicles division in Australia.
Prior to that, BYD buses were sold through a local agent, selling its first bus in the country in 2016 to airport transport company Carbridge for a Sydney Airport bus contract.
This change to establish its full factory backed commercial vehicle division for buses and trucks in Australia and New Zealand has quickly paid off as BYD has evolved as an emerging force in the local industry.
“There’s been plenty of changes made since we first formed the commercial vehicles division in Australia,” BYD commercial vehicles
director Jon Tozer told ABC.
“We first sought to repair our reputation in the local sector as a respected bus manufacturer, investing in our a ersales team and product support to help local customers.”
In the past 18 months, BYD’s commercial vehicles team has grown from two people to 12, with spare parts and a ersales staff recently boosting the Australian contingent of the global powerhouse. In recent times, it has also established its very own national parts distribution centre in Melbourne alongside a parts centre in Sydney, highlighting its recent growth and commitment to serving Australian operators.
Above:
The brand has now welcomed the BC12B1 chassis as its current ‘bread and butter’ bus in Australia
Now with more than 200 buses on the road in Australia for major partners such as Transit Systems, Ventura and Kinetic, just to name a few, BYD has made a move in its product range, discontinuing the D9RA chassis and replacing it with the new BC12B1 chassis.
“The BYD chassis is the only electric chassis on the market with a fully integral E-driveline – we’re the only manufacturer that manufactures the full drive system from the electric batteries, motors and the control systems for our chassis,” Tozer says.
“It means the chassis is a one-stop shop solution.”
In the past year, BYD’s solidified presence in Australia has allowed
Tozer and the commercial vehicles team to look at refreshing its product range. Late last year, BYD introduced the B70 model to the local market as an ideal replacement for the old Hino Poncho.
“The B70, with its low floor design and overall length of seven metres, comes with a seating capacity of up to 18 passengers, or 16 with a wheelchair,” BYD Australia commercial vehicles sales executive Steve Glenny told ABC
“Based on tried and tested, last-mile and first-mile feeder routes using similar-sized bus platforms throughout Europe and Asia, the BYD B70 appeals to a broad market, from local government to small shuttles and the private sector.”
The design behind the latest generation BC12B1 chassis was to develop a metropolitan city bus model that provides solutions to common issues raised by customers on the D9RA chassis and introduce the latest technology and component upgrades.
“The BC12B1 is a culmination of us listening to customer and bodybuilder feedback and putting these solutions into the actual design of our latest chassis,” Tozer says.
“For example, we received some feedback on the power steering being heavy, so BYD R&D investigated the issue and upgraded the steering components to improve it. The feedback we have had from the operators is that it is a vast improvement. This improvement was due to us listening to customer feedback.
“The new chassis features less batteries, yet we have increased the overall capacity to 382kWh of power, giving us a range of well over 400 kilometres. The new chassis design also allows for improved seating capacity and is lighter, further improving the overall carrying capacity.”
The revamped BC12B1, alongside the release of the B70, form some of Tozer’s largest highlights at the helm of BYD’s local commercial vehicles
division since assuming the role 18 months ago. Besides the improved a ersales support, these new releases partner the unveiling of the national parts distribution centre to get the wheels in motion in BYD’s plan to grow in the Australian market.
However, Tozer says BYD is only roughly a quarter of the way through this plan, meaning there’s plenty more to come in the next few years from BYD.
“It hasn’t been easy to date, but it takes a long time to turn a ship around – what we’ve done has been incredibly eff ective,” he says.
“There’s a lot more to come that we’re very excited about, but we can’t reveal much currently, so watch this space.”
Tozer says that with BYD, it is not all about the product. He says the brand is also very conscious of people’s concerns around privacy, data security and concerns with data storage.
“We were one of the first Chinese bus manufacturers to achieve
certification to UN Regulation 155
‘Cyber Security Management’ and UN Regulation 156 ‘So ware Update Management’,” he says.
“Further to this, we only store our data here in Australia and any diagnostic data sent to HQ is destroyed within days to ensure compliance with our requirements.”
It’s this international influence that has Tozer and his team confident that BYD’s bus technology is at the forefront of innovation in Australia.
Since joining the company just under two years ago, Tozer’s philosophy has been to use his knowledge and experience, having worked in all aspects of the Australian bus industry from operational through to supplier side for over 39 years, to complement BYD’s technological capabilities.
In a short space of time, this focus has already began paying off, with the national parts distribution centre and a growing legion of spare parts and a ersales team members highlighting BYD’s commitment to local customers.
“The key focus for me has always been a ersales – we identified it as a big issue when we decided to form
the commercial vehicles division in Australia,” he says.
“We knew improving our a ersales reputation wasn’t going to happen overnight, so we’ve still got a long way to go, but we’ve improved so much from where we were.
“We’ve also rolled out an upgraded training program for our customers with a BYD certified trainer. It’s been widely accepted and we will keep expanding it.
“We’re lucky to have wonderful support from the factory too. They trust me in what I want to do and I‘m so lucky to work with a company as large as BYD.”
Tozer says BYD’s recent growth means it works diff erently to other international powerhouse companies. While others may require plenty of processes to introduce new models or update existing vehicles, Tozer is able to directly communicate with BYD’s R&D team to continue improving the local product.
For 2025 and beyond, BYD is planning the release of two new bus models this year that will include the brand’s next generation Blade 2 batteries. From the end of the third
Above: BYD is also looking to target the truck market in both Australia and New Zealand
quarter of this year, BYD is planning to release its articulated chassis model and school bus chassis.
The use of the Blade 2 battery design allows for the batteries to be located in the chassis structural frame in the floor. This lowers the vehicle centre of gravity by more than 40 per cent, significantly improving vehicle stability and handling.
BYD is also looking to ensure it doesn’t forget its friends over the ditch in New Zealand. The brand is planning to unveil upgraded designs incorporating the new Blade 1 battery to the existing chassis sold in the country. From there, it will also launch its B70 bus in the New Zealand market while looking at bringing in an electric truck bus model there too.
“We have so many products to get excited about, but we’re also focusing on continuing to improve our a ersales service off erings,” Tozer says.
“There’s plenty more to come from us this year, including the introduction of BYD trucks into Australia and New Zealand, so stay tuned.”
An email to Victorian operators at the end of 2024 has le the state’s bus manufacturing sector in freefall. An ABC exclusive looks at the fallout and what it means for the industry
t was a time when everyone was meant to be relaxing with family and friends. A time for phone calls to only be about presents and food, not business. A time for restful sleep and putting the feet up. Instead, just before 2.30pm on Christmas Eve last year, the Victorian Department of Transport (DTP) sent out an email that would change how the state’s bus industry would celebrate Christmas.
The email, sent from Spring Street to Victoria’s legion of bus and coach operators, turned many industry members’ smiles into concerned frowns. By “deferring” all current bus orders in the state and extending the lifespan of existing diesel buses in service by up to five years, Australia’s second largest state by population saw its bus and coach industry come to a crashing halt.
“The transition to ZEB fleet for the small regional bus school contracts and school bus operators will be
managed by extending the life of the existing contracted diesel buses by up to five years,” the email says.
“That is, diesel bus replacements scheduled for FY 2025-26 and onwards have been deferred.”
Since the announcement in November, manufacturers like Volgren, who is based in Victoria’s Dandenong South, have been concerned about the future. Various areas of the business have already been aff ected by the proposed procurement plan.
“Direct jobs were already impacted last year. Bus manufacturing relies on visibility and consistency,” a Volgren spokesperson told ABC.
“The local bus industry has long struggled with uncertain pipelines, and the ZEB Transition Plan is exacerbating the situation by eff ectively halting the state’s fleet renewal for five years.
“More than 85 per cent of the buses
Above: Victoria’s bus manufacturing sector has been brought to a standstill.
Image: Doublelee/ stock.adobe.com
built at our Victorian factory serve Victorian-based operators. This plan doesn’t just impact Volgren – it aff ects over 360 active Victorian-based suppliers, many of whom rely on Volgren as a key customer.
“We are using our capacity to build volume into interstate markets, so now we must consider if there’s any point in staying in Victoria if there’s no orders here for the next five years. A consolidation in Queensland or a relocation to other states, like South Australia, is not off the cards if the transition plan remains as it is today.”
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) was quickly alerted to the email sent out on Christmas Eve, with executive members moving over the Christmas period to address the threats proposed in the email. A spokesperson for BIC says the body is “deeply concerned by the policy changes made on Christmas Eve by the Victorian government”.
“The extension of bus life and the deferral of purchases up to five years has implications nationally. It places the viability of the bus industry, especially in Victoria, at serious risk, with up to 1100 jobs at stake in Victoria, and a further 250 nationally,” the spokesperson told ABC
“It isn’t just about job losses though, it’s about supplier businesses closing altogether, relocating interstate or overseas. Once they go, they are gone for good. It’s up to $1.4 billion over the next five years gone from the economy.”
This change also has a major impact on Victoria’s bus emissions moving forward. The spokesperson says a new Euro 6 diesel bus is “significantly cleaner” than a 20-year-old bus. On top of this, safety concerns also increase due to the extended age of buses le to run on Victoria’s roads.
“Transitioning to zero emissions isn’t just about emission reduction, it’s also about the safety benefits that newer buses provide,” the person says.
“We are very concerned that the public simply won’t get the benefit of critical safety improvements. These include bus rollover protection (ESC) and the seatbelt changes announced recently by the federal government.”
The email has also sent ripples through suppliers and operators in the state. One Victorian supplier is now holding onto the hope that the state government will reverse its decision and resume allowing bus orders to continue before it’s too late. The supplier chose to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that it will all improve, as currently we’re concerned about a few things,” a director at the supplier told ABC “Firstly we’re concerned about our business. We’ve spent so much time and effort trying to recruit the right people for our business, and we’ve
just now got ourselves a great team that we want to hold onto.
“Also, we’re concerned about the impact of having older vehicles remain on the road and what that means for operators using these vehicles on bumpy regional roads with very old steering systems and brakes still fitted.”
The director says the issue appears to boil down to the root cause of the state government not having enough money, meaning the bus industry has had to pay.
“For us, we’re lucky to have nationwide work, but it’s still a worry for the entire state’s bus industry,” the director says.
A er obtaining a copy of the email, ABC reached out to DTP to hear their reasons behind this change. A state government spokesperson says despite these changes, the plan is still for the state’s diesel public bus fleet to be progressively phased out and replaced by zero-emissions buses from 2025 despite the block placed on orders.
“We’re converting our entire public bus fleet to be quieter and more comfortable for passengers while at the same time slashing emissions,” the spokesperson told ABC
“We have listened to bus operators and manufacturers over the past
Above:
The sudden deferral of bus orders has le Victoria’s bus industry scrambling for answers. Image: Doublelee/stock. adobe.com
three years on our Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan and we will continue to work with them every step of the way to deliver the best outcome for the bus industry and passengers.”
The spokesperson says the extension of existing vehicles’ lifespan by up to five years is “consistent with other jurisdictions” and allows smaller regional operators more time to make the shi . The state government says it will also provide “budgetary support” to extend the life of existing vehicles so that they can safely operate.
When it comes to safety, the spokesperson says all buses remain required to undergo an independent annual safety inspection by a VicRoads licensed bus tester, with defected buses having to stay off the road until the issue is fixed.
The spokesperson says that a vehicle determined to be beyond its safe physical and economic life will be dealt with on a “case-by-case basis”.
“Road safety continues to be our key priority, which is why all buses are required to undergo an independent safety inspection every year so that they are fit to take passengers,” the spokesperson says.
Below:
The Victorian government’s changes will see existing buses have their lifespans expanded by up to five years. Image: arli atoz2205/ stock.adobe.com
ABC also reached out to the federal transport minister for comment, but they refused to comment on the situation. The Bus Association of Victoria (BusVic) has told ABC it’s “talking with government” about the issue.
ABC has spoken with industry representatives, suppliers and operators at the time of this publication, but there’s no indication that the state government will change its mind.
With a keen eye into the Australian bus and coach industry, Bus Stop Sales is helping drive the King Long brand in Australia
Above:
For over three decades, King Long has been synonymous with innovation, reliability and world-class engineering.
Pushing the envelope in product design, safety and efficiency, the company’s success has branded it as one of the world’s largest bus manufacturers. In 2008, the manufacturing giant then turned its focus to Australia and continues to make its presence known.
The Australian bus and coach industry, particularly urban bus supply, has traditionally been dominated by European brands, making it hard for brands to break into. However, King Long has successfully expanded its footprint across the country to capture small operators and key national clients alike.
“King Long has emerged as a formidable force, offering a compelling alternative to traditional players,” Bus Stop Sales director Pete White told ABC.
“The brand’s success can be attributed to consistently delivering high-quality, cost-effective and technologically advanced vehicles that are tailored to Australian conditions.”
The exclusive distributor of King Long in Australia, Bus Stop Sales, has played an instrumental role
in cementing the brand’s market position. With a focus on fleet reliability, operational cost efficiency and customisation, Bus Stop Sales has placed King Long buses with some of the largest transport operators in the country.
Originally taking over as distributor from now defunct Heavy Vehicles Australia in December 2019, White says there was a period before his acquisition where the King Long brand wasn’t moving forward.
“That is history that we have overcome, and my sights are now firmly positioned on best-case practice,” White says.
“Besides selecting the best, mainly European components, that are assembled at King Long, we have invested in people, parts and a er-sales product support that provides a risk-free end to end transport offering.”
Last year in particular saw Bus Stop Sales reach new heights within the industry, achieving a milestone of 212 deliveries in 2024. The celebrations continued, with King Long approaching its 1,000th order in Australia.
The end of the year also saw King Long take home a coveted Red Dot Award in the design concept category
for pushing the boundaries of traditional bus design for its M-Combo model.
“This win demonstrates the quality and innovation that King Long consistently brings to the market,” White says.
“While the M-Combo may not yet be planned for Australian roads, the model’s design and build quality set an exciting benchmark for the future.”
One of King Long’s most transformative initiatives in Australia was establishing the Australian Drivable Knock Down (DKD) project, enabling the local assembly of King Long buses in Australia.
“This ambitious undertaking, pending government support, is ready to roll and represents a significant step forward in creating local jobs and enhancing the country’s manufacturing capabilities,” White says.
“The DKD project underscores the synergy between imported expertise and local cra smanship, providing Australian operators with buses that blend global innovation with local production benefits.”
King Long’s success is also built on its strong collaborations with key partners, namely Cummins and ZF Friedrichshafen (ZF).
Both globally renowned leaders in their fields, this collaboration has seen King Long incorporate the Cummins X11 engine into its fleet – a powerful 400hp solution designed to provide unmatched performance, fuel efficiency and reliability.
“Standard in all 12m King Long buses, the innovative engine is the highest specification available and strengthens our reputation for offering cutting-edge, high-performance components that meet operators’ expectations and adhere to the stringent Euro 6 emission standard,” White says.
White says the X11 is unmatched for size, horsepower and efficiency.
He says the manufacturer also uses ZF brand drivetrain components to incentivise its customers further, using one of the best products on the market.
“Lower cost alternatives are undoubtedly available and would be suitable for most applications, however we want to stand out as the market leader, so we have decided to invest in the best available, aligning with our brand statement of compare and be impressed.”
Coming off the back off a record year in 2024, the manufacturing giant shows no sign of slowing down.
This year marks 20 years of King Long’s presence in Europe, and now in Australia, Bus Stop Sales and King Long have been working on actively transforming perceptions of Chinese bus brands by prioritising customer needs across all aspects of ownership.
“Traditionally, Chinese-built vehicles have faced scepticism regarding long-term reliability, a ersales support and parts availability,” White says.
“However, King Long has been addressing these concerns head-on by implementing a customer-centric approach that emphasises product quality, robust a ersales support and service excellence.
“We are pleased King Long low floor urban buses continue to service major fleets.”
The commitment to product specification and build quality is a key element in changing perceptions. By aligning vehicle configurations with Australian operator requirements,
King Long ensures its buses and coaches meet the rigorous demands of local transport network.
Every model is designed to provide the durability, safety and efficiency that fleet managers expect, reinforcing trust in the brand.
A ersales support is another crucial factor in King Long’s growing reputation. Over many years, Bus Stop Sales has established a nationwide service network and the company’s investment in local parts warehousing and highly trained service personnel has significantly improved vehicle uptime, reducing operator concerns about downtime and availability.
“Bus Stop Sales has also invested significantly in facilities, establishing Australia’s largest dedicated bus centre, sustained by solar and battery technology,” White says.
“This state-of-the-art centre includes two superchargers that have now supported over 100 MW of public EV charging in addition to the firm’s own ZEBs.
“This investment reinforces our commitment to the future of transport and ensures that operators have the infrastructure needed to transition to sustainable fleets.”
The brand’s commitment to reducing carbon footprints aligns seamlessly with both government mandates and the broader industry push towards environmental responsibility. With a dedicated focus on zero-emission vehicles, King Long’s
innovation pipeline is set to help reshape Australia’s public transport landscape further.
“I urge government decision-makers to look beyond traditional, long-standing brands and instead focus on innovation, globally proven performance and long-term value proposition,” White says.
“While local content remains essential, our mission is centred on delivering jobs and economic benefits rather than maintaining the status quo.”
Advocating for a procurement approach that evaluates buses based on their ability to provide cost-efficient, high-performance solutions while fostering industry growth, White says he will continue to ensure that all transport solutions are considered in government fleet decisions.
“The momentum behind King Long’s growth in Australia shows no signs of slowing down,” White says.
“With an expanding national service and support network, we are poised for even greater penetration into the fleet sector.
“As the bus and coach industry navigates evolving regulatory requirements, sustainability targets and passenger expectations, King Long – driven by us at Bus Stop Sales –is positioned to lead the way.
“The brand’s success story in Australia is far from over – it’s just getting started.”
E-T-A ElectroTechnical Applications’ newest intelligent control system is paving the way for the electric transition
As the electrification of the Australian bus and coach industry continues to accelerate, a range of parts suppliers and engineering technology companies have proven to be more than two steps ahead. With innovation as a driving force behind the company, German parts manufacturer E-T-A ElectroTechnical Applications has long been ready for the major switch, already offering suitable solutions for both diesel and electric buses across the world.
Known for its ground-breaking work in circuit breakers, electric circuit protectors, intelligent power distribution systems and more, the company has more than six decades worth of expertise up its sleeve. Now, this rich depth of knowledge and innovative products is helping power the latest technology in Australia’s bus and coach industry.
“New technologies and future oriented systems are crucial for the design of on-board electrical systems,” E-T-A Australia managing director Andrew Skaltsounis told ABC.
“The growing number of electrical vehicle components and the need for data transmission between individual devices quickly leads to heavy cable harnesses and higher wiring complexity.
“That’s why at E-T-A, we have already began looking at solutions.”
Its newest offerings, including its SCS Smart Controls Systems, are intelligent products that work seamlessly with its CAN solutions to control a bus’ power distribution.
The CAN Bus was originally developed to reduce extensive wiring in vehicles in the 1980s. While reduced wiring was always the aim, as the focus on zero-emission vehicles increases, finding new ways of ensuring the systems can handle the added voltage and weight limits has become imperative. This need to match the evolution of bus technology has seen E-T-A’s power distribution systems come to the fore.
E-T-A offers a suitable CAN solution with numerous intelligent products that support the CAN 2.0 standard and are compatible with J1939 and CANopen.
Above: SCS Smart Controls Systems is a new product category at E-T-A
Below: Clients love the increased flexibility that comes with the SCS1000
The CAN solution has proven to be the ideal technology in the bus and coach industry to facilitate fast and simple data transmission. Also, when paired with the SCS Smart Control Systems, the CAN solution can supply data based on current on-channels, cause of error, active channels, voltage and more.
E-T-A is also continually working with local operators to integrate other data they need into its systems.
“SCS Smart Controls Systems is a new product category at E-T-A and pretty new technology in general,” Skaltsounis says.
“It’s a fully electronic power distribution base which is combined with CAN-connection, current and voltage measurement as well as con-
figurability and programmability.
“This new system opens totally new possibilities compared to conventional power distribution, which typically involves lots of cabling and practically no system transparency and flexibility.”
The current SCS products are working at 12V/24V/48V. While they are suitable for diesel buses, Skaltsounis says on battery electric buses are where they truly shine.
As zero-emission buses continue to grow in demand both around the world and in Australia, the demand for infrastructure solutions to power these buses have increased. Nowadays, products and solutions such as E-T-A’s can improve availability, system transparency, power management, cabling, efficiency, flexibility and more on a bus, matching the rapid pace of technology development in the power source space.
“The SCS200 is a plug and play device which needs an ECU as a
Master, while the SCS1000/3000 is even more flexible due to its programmability features,” Skaltsounis says.
“Most clients love the increased flexibility that comes with this new technology. Due to reset ability via CAN, you can place the service-free devices anywhere in the vehicle without the need to access them for replacing fuses or relays.
“They are also impressed with how lightweight the system is, with very little cables or relays needed to power. Cables are heavy, relays are heavy and you need way more components to build the same functionality as provided by our SCS.”
Another selling point for customers is the lack of updates needed.
Above:
Figuration in SCS3000 can be flexibly adapted to new requirements, allowing for easy upgrades on the vehicle
Configuration in SCS1000/3000, as well as parametrisation in the SCS200, can be flexibly adapted to new requirements, allowing for easy upgrades on the vehicle.
“The combination of high-power outputs, PWM, H-Bridges, multiple inputs and programmability features is something that few competitors can off er,” Skaltsounis says.
“In combination with our product support by sales and application engineers, we can help clients get the most out of our systems.
“That really sets us apart from competitors, which o en have weaknesses either on the HW/SW side or on the support side of the business.”
With a relationship spanning over 10 years, Apple City Tours is more than confident in its Scania models
If you think of the quintessential Australian road trip, chances are you picture wide open highways, rolling hills and plenty of scenic countryside.
For the team at Apple City Tours in Orange, New South Wales, that’s just another day at the office.
With a history stretching back
over 60 years, Apple City Tours has evolved from a small family-run bus service to a thriving transportation business. It all started back in 1956, when current owner John Woodhouse’s parents were running a little shop in the heart of Orange.
“I was only four years old when they purchased their first bus, an old
GMC,” Woodhouse told ABC
“My father was helping out at the shop while also doing some school runs.”
It wasn’t until Woodhouse turned 21 that the business began picking up, a er he officially took it over from his father.
“We got our second run around that time, and it just grew from there,” he says.
The family business was renamed to Apple City Tours in 1981, reflecting the agricultural efforts of the region, and began branching out to different areas.
While school runs make up the bulk of the work these days, the business also branches out into charter work and most recently, mining transportation.
Apple City Tours has now grown to a fleet of 52 buses, where between its combined depots, it has 22 Scania models that have become the backbone of its operations.
“It all started with the purchase of a Scania-Higer A30 over a decade ago,” Woodhouse says.
“I was looking for a way to drive down operating costs, and entered
conversations with the team at Scania about models that would help reduce my fuel spendings.
“They showed me the A30 and a er biting the bullet and purchasing my first, I haven’t looked back,” he says.
The first Scania he purchased was used on one of the typical school runs, running 140km both in the morning and a ernoon.
“The school runs radiate in all directions in Orange and Oberon. As far as Orange is concerned, they go as far to the north as Stuart Town and Canowindra, Panuara in the south and Lewis Ponds in the east,” he says.
“Those ones are usually good runs, but when you go out around our original school runs, and to the west, the roads get quite hilly.”
Through it all, the Scania buses have proven to be reliable workhorses.
For the past two years, Woodhouse has been running a fleet of eight buses every morning and a ernoon to shuttle workers to and from a nearby gold mine.
“That run however, is very undulating. It’s pretty up and down out to the mine,” he says.
“I rely on the Scanias for that sort of work, because for the whole time we have been making those runs, we haven’t had a single failure.”
It’s that unwavering trust in the Scania brand that has kept Apple City Tours coming back for over a decade. Woodhouse admits he’s a “creature of habit” when it comes to bus purchases, preferring to stick with what he knows works best.
“We’re having such a good run with Scania that I haven’t even bothered to look anywhere else. Why would we?” he says.
A large selling point for Woodhouse has been the purchasing process at Scania, allowing him to customise and create a bus that perfectly suits his needs.
From adding bull bars, changing seating configurations and more, the Scania team have always made his requests work.
“The team have always been accommodating and great to work with,” Woodhouse says.
“For example, I always like to purchase Australian 3-for-2 seats, and
they have stood by with me for that, even if the wait is longer.”
Woodhouse says he appreciates the reliability of the product and would rather spend the money to ensure he is getting top quality.
“I think that’s where I diff er from other operators. I would rather pay more for a product that I know has longevity and can stand the test of time.”
With a fleet that’s 42 per cent Scania and growing, it’s clear this partnership has been a fruitful one.
“We have tracked John’s success with Scania product with a good measure of pride,” Scania Bus and Coach national sales and contracts manager Ian Clarke told ABC
“John’s business requires unwavering reliability as with all school run operators, because if the bus doesn’t turn up you have a lot of unhappy parents.
“Scania has worked hard to maintain
the relationship with Apple City, to deliver what the customer wants.
“John has had a lot of success with the Irizar bodies on Scania chassis as well as with our Scania-Higer A30 school and charter bus, and we look forward to continuing to build the relationship with the delivery of further vehicles this year and into the future.”
As Apple City Tours continues to navigate the ups and downs of the industry, it can count on its trusty Scania buses to keep them cruising the district of Orange, Sydney, Canberra, Dubbo and all the places in between and beyond.
“We have built up this amazing rapport with the people at Scania, and I can’t see us going any other way,” Woodhouse says.
“We have another two already on the way, and I think any operator would be pretty happy to have a fleet full of Scanias.”
Kangaroo Bus Lines and BCI have joined forces to create a new product that could change the face of accessibility in the industry
The Australasian bus and coach industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by shi ing consumer demands, advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on accessibility and sustainability.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, businesses that are willing to embrace innovation and think ahead of the curve are poised for success.
A recent collaboration between vehicle supplier Bus and Coach International (BCI) and Queensland operator Kangaroo Bus Lines is a prime example of this forward-thinking approach, with the duo working together to bring to life a new innovative low-floor coach model.
Spearheaded by Kangaroo Bus Lines CEO Darren Webster, the BCI Cruiser Combo body was designed to combine the comfort and amenities of a traditional coach with the accessibility of a low-floor design.
“We were looking to upgrade some of our low floor buses to meet
accessibility requirements, creating a more seamless travel experience for those with disabilities,” Webster told ABC.
“We wanted something special and unique, something that would look and feel as luxury as a coach while still being low floor.
“From my understanding, it’s the first of its kind in Australia.”
Kangaroo Bus Lines, which was founded in 1978, off ers a wide range of services for passengers, including school, urban and long-distance touring, outback Queensland tourist trips and cruise boat experiences.
Taking home the coveted 2024 National Operator of the Year title at last year’s Bus Industry Confederation’s National Awards, Webster holds himself and the business to a high standard, ensuring that every passenger is awarded an accessible and positive experience.
“We pride ourselves on our long history of moving people and connecting communities through our complete and personalised transport
solutions tailored to individual needs,” Webster says.
This mindset was the driving force behind contacting BCI – not just because of the operator’s partnership with Volvo, but because of BCI’s determination to embrace a more accessible coach model.
BCI Queensland state manager Andrew Dosa says the company prides itself on innovation and creativity, with this project serving as the perfect outlet to highlight its core values.
“Darren had a clear idea of what he wanted to achieve, and our team at BCI was excited to take on the challenge,” Dosa told ABC.
“We knew that this would be a unique build, but we were confident that we could deliver a solution that would meet the needs of Kangaroo Bus Lines and its passengers.”
During the design phase, the engineers at BCI worked closely with Kangaroo Bus Lines and chassis builder Volvo to optimise the design and ensure that the final product was
perfectly suited to the customer’s operational needs, even visiting the factory in China to oversee the production.
BCI technical director Boyd Denning says that while he knew the project would be a challenge, he was confident in BCI’s ability to pull it off.
“The hardest part of this build was working on a foreign chassis like Volvo as there are more limitations on what you can do,” Denning told ABC.
“As we were starting on a low-floor chassis, we had to raise the driver’s area, which created challenges on the front end.
“We also had to make sure that the headlights didn’t interfere with the pedals and other parts on the chassis.”
Dennings says the rest of the build was “pretty straightforward” once they overcame the front-end integration issues.
“When they approached us on this particular project, it was something new and exciting and diff erent, and immediately I could see the potential for this type of vehicle,” Denning says.
“You sort of kick yourself in a way that you didn’t think of it yourself before.”
The Cruiser Combo body removes the common hydraulic wheelchair li , opting instead for a low-floor design that allows for a fold-out ramp. Not only does this modification allow for passengers with mobility challenges to more easily board the bus, but it also saves time when moving between destinations.
Additionally, the coach retains the luxurious feel of a traditional coach by featuring plush seating, ample luggage capacity and the latest safety features, including automatic emergency braking, seatbelts and lane departure warning systems.
“The BCI team were excellent to deal with,” Webster says.
“They were very open and transparent throughout the whole process, allowing us to make changes and tweak things wherever necessary.
“They even took my son, Dale and I over to the factory to inspect the vehicle as it was coming down the production line where we were able to make last-minute changes to suit our operation.”
Dosa says the project wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and collaboration of Kangaroo Bus Lines.
“They were a pleasure to work with, and their input was invaluable in shaping the final product,” Dosa says.
“It was a unique build, but now that
Above: They wanted to create something that would look and feel as luxurious as a coach while still being low floor
we’ve done it, you can look at it and see how it completely fills a hole in the market.”
Unveiled at the National Bus and Coach Show in Brisbane last year, Dosa says the model has received a lot of attention, with several other operators expressing interest in the innovative design.
“The feedback we’ve received so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re confident that this coach will become a game-changer in the passenger transportation industry,” Dosa says.
The Cruiser Combo prototype has already been clocking up the kilometres over the past couple of months at Kangaroo Bus Lines, with Webster and passengers alike boasting about the advantages.
Below: Kangaroo Bus Lines already has another three on the way
“So far, we have had incredible reviews from passengers and drivers,” Webster says.
“We have already placed another order for three more, with feedback on improvements that we think will make the coach even better.
“We’re thrilled to be able to off er this unique solution to our customers.”
As the transportation landscape continues to evolve, the collaboration between BCI and Kangaroo Bus Lines serves as a shining example of how innovation and forward-thinking, as well as suppliers and operators, can come together to create a truly remarkable product.
Both sides of this low-floor coach will now see whether the new model is poised to set a new standard for accessibility, comfort and passenger experience in the years to come.
Volvo is driving home its safety-first motto with technology that could see a decline in on-road accidents
Core values serve as the fundamental guiding principles that shape a company’s culture, decision-making and overall direction. They provide a clear framework for how the business should operate, what its focuses are and how it can better serve its customers.
For Volvo Bus Australia, safety has always been its original core value, deep-rooted in a belief that every life matters. This unwavering commitment is rooted in the company’s history,
dating back to its founding in 1927.
In the decades since, Volvo has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive safety, pioneering innovations like the three-point seatbelt, the side-impact protection system and the advanced crumple zone design.
The company’s pursuit of safer roads has made it a trusted name among drivers and earned it a reputation as the industry’s gold standard for vehicle safety.
“Any incremental gains we can
Above: Volvo is able to significantly reduce emissions and noise pollution using the technology
Le : Customers around the country have found Volvo’s geofencing technology to significantly reduce accidents
make on innovations to drive better safety outcomes is always something that we seek to explore and bring to market, even if it’s not necessarily requested by the operators,” Volvo Bus general manager Mitchell Peden told ABC
This safety focus has manifested in Volvo’s latest geofencing innovations, which are already transforming the way operators manage their fleets and interact with the communities they serve.
Geofencing is the act of creating virtual geographic areas that trigger a specific action when a GPS tracking device enters or exits the zone.
One of the key applications of Volvo’s geofencing technology is the ability to map out routes and set customised speed limits in specific areas. Volvo Safety Zones has proven invaluable for public transport operators, who can now automatically enforce reduced speeds in high-risk zones like shopping centre car parks and school zones.
“Speed is a contributing factor in many accidents. The laws of physics show that when speed doubles, the braking distance is four times longer and the crash violence is four times greater,” Peden says.
“This technology just takes the element out of the driver’s hands.
“What is being requested of the vehicles on the road, particularly heavy vehicles, is being adhered to automatically.”
These safety zones are created in the Volvo Connect user interface, where operators can set an unlimited amount of zones and set the maximum speed they want to permit.
The benefits of this technology are already being realised by the Public Transport Authority (PTA) in Western Australia.
“PTA have been utilising the zone management feature since 2022 to ensure speed limits in bus stations and on certain sections of the highway are not exceeded,” PTA fleet manager Paul Burke told ABC
Since using the technology, the PTA has seen a significant reduction in near-misses and off-road incidents around a tricky shopping centre bus stop.
“In that particular area, it’s quite congested with human traffic, and there is also quite a large incline and decline,” Peden says.
“Rather than these drivers coming down and nearly striking every single time because of the incline, it’s not happening at all.
“They’re not having buses off road.
They’re not having extra costs in terms of repairs. They’re not having to try and manage driver behaviour. It just is done.”
The technology is also proving useful in and around depots, where vehicle movement and human traffic is at a high.
“By setting a geofence to that area to 15kmh, it significantly reduces the risk of an accident,” Peden says.
Volvo is also able to significantly reduce emissions and noise pollution using the technology – a feature that has been warmly welcomed by the team at CDC Victoria, who operate a fleet of 50 Volvo hybrid buses.
The geofencing capabilities of their hybrid buses allow them to automatically switch to zero-emission, electric-only mode when travelling through populated areas, reducing emissions and noise pollution.
“We initially thought that hybrid buses would be the next step between full diesel and full electric vehicles,” Peden says.
“So we created hybrids with the ability to be geofenced and put into a full electric mode for certain parts of their routes. It’s like the healthy middle ground.
“We don’t want the emissions or
Below:
noise in places with high population, but when they’re on the highway or on the freeway, it can be in diesel mode, recharging the batteries.”
Volvo views these advancements as an important step towards a future where the environmental impact of public transport can be significantly reduced, without compromising performance or operational needs.
“At Volvo we are always seeking ways to make our products safer for the community and for our operators,” Peden says.
“This is just another great example of an evolved innovation that is making a real diff erence to operators that are working with us.
“We are working hand in hand with them to continue on this road and ensure our products are constantly evolving.”
Volvo’s safety-first mindset is not just a marketing ploy or a box to be checked – it is the very foundation upon which Volvo has built its business.
By continuously innovating and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the company is ushering in a new era of transportation where the well-being of all road users is the top priority.
Zero-emission technology represents the largest shi in the bus and coach industry in recent memory. While transforming fleets from diesel to battery electric buses is now well understood and, in some regions, widely accepted, the transition is still in its early stages in Australia compared to the rest of the world.
Aside from the well-known positive environmental impacts of reducing air and noise pollution, in turn improving overall customer and community experience, electric buses and coaches provide some great benefits over diesel models. For a start, maintenance costs are 30 to 40 per cent lower compared to diesel and fuel costs are 75 to 85 per cent lower than diesel. Throw in government grants and carbon credit systems and there’s plenty to incentivise operators and enterprise to get behind the transition.
However, the uptake by local bus operators is still slow when it comes to transitioning to ZEBs, whether it be due to perceived cost issues, range anxiety, reliability or lack of policy in Australia. To help support the transition and ensure GoZero Group consistently delivers leading edge, high quality ZEBs and coaches, the group has boosted its leadership team by bringing in an industry expert with deep international automotive manufacturing experience. Meet Mike Bahr.
Bahr, GoZero’s new CEO of manufacturing, has worked extensively across the Asia Pacific region for companies including Ford Motor Company, General Motors Holden, Ricardo PLC and most recently Omni Powertrain Technologies Asia. With the Australian bus industry at a critical juncture in its zero-emissions transition, his local and international knowledge is set to
help drive the sector forward towards an electric future.
“I jumped at the opportunity to join GoZero at this exciting point in its growth trajectory as a leading player in zero-emissions transport in Australia,” Bahr told ABC
“As a proud Australian who’s been abroad for nearly a decade, I’m really looking forward to sharing my electric vehicle manufacturing knowledge, skills and experience during this critical phase of industry transformation. The opportunities for advanced manufacturing are limitless.”
For GoZero Group managing director Stephen Cartwright OAM, the choice was obvious.
“Once complete, the acquisition of BusTech will see us exponentially grow our local manufacturing capability with factories across NSW, Queensland and South Australia,” Cartwright told ABC
“Appointing someone of Mike’s calibre to lead the manufacturing division, supported by our new manufacturing director Chris Poole, ensures we can and will deliver world-class zero-emission buses and coaches to meet the growing demands of Australia’s public and private sector.”
Bahr’s witnessed firsthand the rapid adoption of zero-emission vehicles while based in the world’s largest growth market in China.
Noticeable advancements in the fast-paced electric transport sector include ongoing development in the performance, safety, cost and user experience of zero-emissions vehicles.
Continued investment in electric motors and electronics is leading to higher power density and more efficient machines. Put simply, Bahr says the latest electric buses are “better performing buses and off er improved range at lower cost”.
“The driver and passenger experience are greatly improved with electric over diesel equivalents thanks to the instant torque, smooth operation and low noise,” he says.
Another rapidly advancing area is battery technology, including significant improvements in cell chemistry. Once a dominant concern for local operators, Bahr describes range anxiety as “almost a legacy issue,” particularly for city buses.
Lithium-ion batteries, in particular Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, remain the leading choice in Australia due to “longer life and safety”. Leading global battery manufacturers are pushing performance to new heights while reducing costs thanks to advancements in battery chemistry.
One emerging technology generating media attention thanks to proposed legislative changes is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. V2G allows vehicles to both draw electricity from the grid and send power back to it, unlocking new applications.
“Vehicles eff ectively become mobile battery storage, helping meet society’s increasing demands for energy,” Bahr says.
Beyond hardware, so ware-defined
vehicle technology already prevalent in passenger EVs is proving useful in the bus and coach sector, enhancing vehicle functions, safety and fleet management. Bahr notes that while government contracts currently impose “relatively modest telematics requirements”, fleet management providers are continuously improving their systems.
“There are now well-known advantages of telematics in electric bus fleets, including fleet, energy, charging management, predictive maintenance and enhanced safety,” he says.
“The passenger experience and integration with smart infrastructure have also become key focuses.”
Despite rapid progress in zero-emissions bus technology, other advancements such as autonomous vehicles are moving at a slower pace. Bahr points out that “Australia is not currently on a defined path to introducing fully self-driving vehicles” due to the complexity of its road systems, infrastructure and the regulatory environment. However, driver-assistance technologies are becoming more common.
New Australian Design Rules (ADR) such as ADR 97, which
mandates Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) for heavy vehicles, and ADR 68/01, which introduces seatbelt monitoring, are enhancing vehicle safety, along with driver fatigue monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and reverse-assist features becoming standard.
From a manufacturing perspective, Australia’s comparatively small-scale bus manufacturing sector faces challenges, but it is eyeing potential benefits from emerging Asian manufacturers.
“On recent visits to partner sites in China, I was impressed by the increasingly high levels of automation, widespread robotics, automated e-coat facilities and smart factories,” Bahr says.
“Meanwhile, leading European bus builders are exploring advanced materials such as carbon fibre body structures which off er performance and weight advantages but come with significant manufacturing and cost challenges.
“By harnessing global innovations, leveraging local manufacturing capability and government providing the necessary support, there’s no doubt zero-emissions transport will be the obvious choice for Australian operators.”
INIT Australia is spearheading the way when it comes to effectively managing electric vehicles, passing on its top tips to electrifying fleets
Australia and New Zealand are on the cusp of a significant transition in public transport. While diesel once ran supreme among fleets, the transition to zero-emission vehicles could soon see electric come out on top as the power source of choice for local buses and coach operators.
While the speedy transition to zero-emissions transport has been driven by governments wanting to see sustainable solutions, the move has le some operators pondering how they’ll manage the change to their fleets.
IT solutions company INIT Australia/ CarMedialab is one company who is reaching out to off er a helping hand, with its bus fleet electrification expertise already proving invaluable to local operators through a concise seven-step guide.
“Many aspects have to be considered, and the overall strategy must be defined before electric buses can be successfully incorporated into your fleet,” CarMedialab general manager Heiko Bauer told ABC. “E-bus integration has an impact on numerous operational processes, from planning and scheduling to
operations control. Electromobility is nothing short of a complete paradigm shi – but it can be mastered.”
Bauer says these seven steps, if applied consistently, are the key to a successful implementation of e-mobility in public transport networks.
Test vehicles and trials are o en an operator’s first foray into the world of ZEBs. Typically deployed on morning and a ernoon peak blocks, where their shorter and more volatile range are unlikely to have negative eff ects, using trial vehicles minimises the impact on ongoing operations.
However, Bauer says it is more economically viable to use test vehicles as much as possible until they hit their break-even point.
“It is important to find ways to deploy these vehicles on longer or additional blocks,” Bauer says.
“Various factors have an impact on energy consumption and consequently the range of the vehicles. The topology of the route, the number of stops and starts, individual driving styles, the size of the battery and the outside temperature
Above: One of the most important things to consider when electrifying a fleet is charge management
on that given day are some of the essential parameters to consider.”
INIT’s eMOBILE-PLAN can be essential during this phase, allowing the user to simulate and optimise numerous deployment scenarios or block variations, while considering additional vehicles or drivers that may be required.
The technology also assists with facilitating and comparing diff erent vehicles and battery types during the procurement process.
So a er biting the bullet and buying the buses, operators are now le with a big question. How are they going to charge them?
Operators must determine the most efficient charging strategy: charging in the depot, charging en route (opportunity charging), or a combination of both.
Being able to compare diff erent scenarios can give public transport operators a valuable overview of investment and operating costs to guide them to make critical strategic decisions.
INIT’s planning system can assist with these decisions, determining not
just the most appropriate charging strategy, but also the approximate future energy consumption and the correct layout for the electrical supply.
All operators transitioning their fleets to zero-emission vehicles quickly encounter the challenges of efficient charging. The shi to electric buses is not just about purchasing vehicles; it also requires a well-thought-out charging infrastructure and an intelligent system to ensure that vehicles are charged on time and in a cost-eff ective manner.
Without controlling charging processes actively, operators may find that high load peaks occur, operating costs increase and vehicles may not be ready when needed.
MOBILEcharge helps solve these issues by intelligently distributing and automatically optimising charging processes – from charge planning to issue resolution.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Operators report significant reductions in operational costs, improved vehicle availability and greater transparency in charging processes,” Bauer says.
MOBILEcharge controls all charging processes centrally and automatically, calculating the optimal charging schedule for the entire fleet to ensure balanced charging by intelligently allotting charging times and amounts to avoid expensive peaks.
The so ware also monitors the charging processes and restarts them in the event of an unexpected interruption to ensure all vehicles hold sufficient charges at the required time. An important factor is integration with the existing IT system. Thanks to standardised interfaces, the application integrates not only into an INIT landscape but also smoothly into existing third-party systems.
“Standardisation, such as sticking to standards, means faster implementation times, higher quality and lower costs,” Bauer explains.
As all public transport operators would know, the depot is a crucial
part of day-to-day operations. Home of the buses, and where they spend most of their time charging, connecting the charge management system to a depot management system is crucial.
The MOBILE-DMS system automates vehicle deployment as well as depot management processes, including vehicle localisation, allocation to services or inspections and the targeted assignment of parking spaces that allows operators to pull out vehicles from charging highly efficiently.
“To eff ectively ensure all vehicles are charged to their capacity, the charge management system requires information on energy demands and pull-out times,” Bauer says.
“This helps staff to assign the charging slots and times, avoiding expensive peak loads. It is not reasonable to transfer this data manually, and once you have an e-fleet of any significant size, it isn’t possible.”
“From an economic point of view, the operating times of e-buses should be as long as possible,” Bauer says.
“For this reason, careful consideration must be given to how they can be appropriately put into operation on longer blocks.”
INIT’s planning tool considers all parameters, such as topology, weather and the size of battery to help determine the best path to be taken.
With the buses purchased, charging sorted and depots sufficiently managed, the only thing le to do is make sure that the vehicles always reach their destination.
“For this reason, the battery’s current state of charge needs to be monitored not just by the driver, but also by the control centre,” Bauer says.
“This means that electromobility needs to be integrated into the public transport provider’s most important management tool – the CAD/AVL system, short for computer-aided
dispatch and automatic vehicle location.”
Such a system like INIT’s MOBILE-ITCS or LIVEavl provide dispatchers with a quick overview of the vehicle’s current state of charge, alerting when any fall below a certain threshold.
These systems also check whether the vehicle can manage the additional distance when executing dispatching measures like an unplanned detour. This provides the dispatchers with all information and the full support needed to perfectly control fleets of electric buses.
As we now know, the more precisely ranges can be determined, the more efficiently vehicles and drivers can be deployed, and the more energy costs can be reduced. Gathering data means getting a profound knowledge of journeys, topology and the buses’ demands.
MOBILE-ECO2 tracks actual energy consumption and driving situations, providing the range detection tool with the most up-to-date information. It can also off er comprehensive vehicle monitoring while the vehicle is in operation and provide driver behaviour analysis like braking or accelerating too hard, encouraging a more energy-efficient driving style and opening up further potential for improvements.
Through these seven steps, INIT Australia is looking to make the transition to zero-emissions transport less daunting for the nation’s bus and coach operators.
With a keen focus on customer satisfaction and creativity, Sege Seats’ list of loyal friends continues to grow
When it comes to how and when to spend our money, we all have preferences.
In the tech world, many battle it out over Apple and Samsung. The beverage battle continues between Coca Cola and Pepsi, while car enthusiasts still argue over Holden and Ford. With these, preference and loyalty usually outweigh the actual performance of the brands pitted against each other.
For those in the Australasian bus and coach industry, the trend continues, with operators having their personal choice of OEMs and parts manufacturers.
Melbourne-based operator Alston Coaches is known for having favourites, famously being a long-standing supporter
of Mercedes-Benz buses. But with the ultimate demise of the Mercedes-Benz bus brand within the local industry, Alston recently made the swi switch to ordering Volvo chassis. Despite this change, it still wanted to remain loyal when it came to one aspect – seating.
“We have worked with Sege Seats for a long time, over decades, and for us, they are the best choice,” Alston Coaches founder Fazlaan Farook told ABC
“Even when we switched over to Volvo Bus, we knew we wanted to have Sege Seats in our fleet.”
Commencing operations more than 17 years ago in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Braeside, Alston Coaches was built on the foundation of providing a luxurious and safe experience to refresh
the landscape of transportation for Melburnians.
Servicing private school charters, extended tours and corporate events in and around the area, Farook says Alston Coaches has prided itself on its ability to off er an experience that is unparalleled in the industry.
“Having examined the bus industry in Melbourne, all we saw were white buses with basic features and seats,” Farook says.
“As an operator, you never want your bus to look the same as another. You want your seats and your bus to look completely diff erent.
“We’ve worked with Sege Seats to create and design seats that are unlike anything else you would see, making it diff erent from the stock-standard.”
With a fleet of more than 60 buses, Sege Seats now plays a large part
in the majority of these vehicles, creating one-of-a-kind luxury seats that assist Alston Coaches in making its dream a reality.
“Working together through every step, we were able to choose between leather colours and finishes, designs, quality and more,” Farook says.
“They provided us with mock-ups through the process and le us feeling incredibly confident in our decision.”
Although Farook can see for himself the high quality of the seats, he says another primary reason for continuing to use Sege Seats’ products comes from the customer service and maintenance side of the supplier’s operations.
“On the off chance there is damage to the seats, belts or any other component, maintenance or replacements are easily accessible,” he says.
“There is no waiting around for weeks or months for a part – we have a turnaround of usually only one working day.”
The relationship between Sege Seats and Alston Coaches is only continuing to grow, with the operator already eyeing off Sege’s newest light-weight range. Proving it can keep up with the local bus and coach industry’s zero-emissions evolution, Sege Seats has developed extra light-weight seats that are suitable for new electric bus and coach models.
“While we don’t have any electric buses in the fleet as of yet, it is something that we are looking towards in the near future,” Farook says.
“We are already looking at the light-weight models that Sege Seats is creating, as we know it will be up to standard and will be exactly what we need.”
But it’s not just operators around the country that favour the seating brand, with diesel mechanics even tipping their hats at the construction. With over 20 years’ experience in the bus and coach industry, Sege’s Ozcan Kuvanci has had faith in the seating brand from its inception.
“I’ve had a long-term relationship with Lance, since the beginning of
Sege when he was trying to bring the product into Australia,” Kuvanci told ABC
“As a friend, I was helping him out with ADR testing, fitments and installations – all of that.
“Even as a diesel mechanic, having never worked with seating before, I knew he was onto a winner.”
Spending years lending a hand wherever needed, it was only a couple of years ago that he jumped onboard Sege full-time as a sales executive.
“Lance came to me with the opportunity to join the team and help push the product out even further. I obviously believed in the product and the team and had no hesitations with saying yes,” he says.
Kuvanci was a breath of fresh air for the brand, bringing not only a wealth of technical expertise to the role, but a passion for the product and customers involved.
“While I may not work with my hands as much anymore, this role is just as demanding,” he says.
“I need to have the ability to understand and address specific needs of the customer, prioritise their requirements and ensure every customer is feeling confident and supported throughout their journey with our products.
“We are committed to delivering higher levels of service, and it all plays a big part.”
As part of Sege Seats’ wish to complete any custom seat orders it receives, the company doesn’t shy away from unusual or difficult requests. One of the latest projects the brand completed was for a New South Wales operator who wanted seats that were able to be folded and wheeled on tracking.
“The operator didn’t want drivers li ing seats manually off the bus and was a er a design that was able to be made accessible at any time,” Kuvanci says.
“It was definitely a challenge, but one that we prided ourselves on figuring out and making work.
“I think that’s the essence of the brand, knowing that we will try our hardest to bring a customer’s vision to life.”
Over the past year, Bus Finance Australia and its new business EV Infrastructure Funds has expanded its industry knowledge base to help operators prepare for the latest bus technology
Whether it be zeroemissions vehicles, the infrastructure required or facing a cost-of-living crisis, financing has become an integral part of a modern bus and coach operator’s toolkit. Last month, ABC’s Operator Showcase saw that 36 per cent of the participating operators identified the price of transitioning to be the biggest issue facing the change to zeroemissions buses.
A er launching its EV Infrastructure Fund last year, Bus Finance Australia has listened to this feedback from Australia’s operators. Alongside its usual array of funding arrangements it has established over more than 20
years of experience in the industry, Bus Finance Australia has spent the past year venturing into the zero-emissions sphere to tackle the major issues impacting operators as they make the sustainable switch.
“The EV Infrastructure Fund has been a slow burn over the past year, but we’ve helped a range of operators, OEMs and private schools adjust,” Bus Finance Australia finance director Brett Collins told ABC.
“We’ve funded a few electric buses and some smaller infrastructure, including chargers and power units. It’s a work in progress, but we’re also now looking at financing some zero-emissions fleets, larger depot infrastructure and power sources that
includes sizeable charging stations.”
The start of the EV Infrastructure Fund last year was a milestone moment for Bus Finance Australia.
A er launching in 2004 to provide funding packages for bus operators, the independent business has now grown outside of its Victorian roots to service the national bus industry.
The latest off ering from the financier involves focusing on all associated capital relating to the infrastructure required to support zero-emissions buses and coaches. From the latest battery electric bus technology to the lure of hydrogen fuel-cell transport, Collins has started helping numerous pioneering operators make the switch to zero-emissions networks.
“The uptake of our EV Infrastructure Fund matches the pace of the government’s decision-making when it comes to the transition,” Collins says.
“Operators have to make a huge investment decision when it comes to actioning depot conversions, so there’s no wonder there’s been some indecisiveness across the industry. I’m hopeful that our financing packages can help take the fear out of these decisions and encourage more businesses to invest in the future.”
Collins is hopeful that funds like Bus Finance Australia’s will prove calming for the nation’s operators in the next 12 months. Whether it be tendering for government metro contracts with zero-emissions conditions included or constructing regional depots that serve as sustainable homes for local transport networks, Collins is confident the EV Infrastructure Fund can help the industry build more activity in the space in the near future.
“I hope that this time next year we can help the industry have better understanding of where it’s heading,” he says.
“While we have our fund on hand, we also have our own financing arrangements with our various dedicated financiers that keeps us open to working in diff erent ways with operators, depending on the application.”
It’s this flexibility that is allowing Bus Finance Australia to remain as a leading financial service provider in the local sector. While its latest zero-emissions off ering is enticing to many, the company’s usual day-to-day bus finance and business purchase funding capabilities can help a wide range of industry members.
Collins’ logic is simple when it comes to the latest industry trends of sustainability – if a client is looking to buy and own a zero-emissions bus network, then Bus Finance Australia can off er its standard finance related funding packages. However, if the contract sees the government own the buses and lease them to the operators, the EV Infrastructure Fund comes into play.
“Changing to zero-emissions is about much more than the bus from a financial point of view,” Collins says.
“OEMs or vendors in the electric space may have their own way of financing things, but we can provide unique finance options that strips the complexity back for them,” Collins says.
“We want to compare apples to apples. We look at the equity or capital contributions involved up front.
“It’s one of the great features of the fund – besides financing the full amount of the vehicle, we can also finance the full amount required for the infrastructure, helping applicants preserve their equity in the process.”
This understanding comes from Bus Finance Australia’s industry experience. Over two decades, Collins’ deep involvement in the sector means he now sits in between the finance and bus industry spheres, helping both halves co-exist and thrive.
“We’re pretty lucky and unique in that way because we have the knowledge that helps us structure deals for operators that suit their purpose,” he says.
“We look at the contract tenure and its conditions and try structure our funding arrangements to help mitigate any contract risk at the end of its term.
“As the industry is evolving with the zero-emissions transition, the financial sector is also evolving to support it and match requirements.”
Collins knows this innate understanding of the industry, linked with financing, couldn’t come at a better time for operators. He knows that back in the day, operators could buy and use a bus for the best part of 15 to 20 years. With new zero-emissions models, the lifespan could half depending on contract terms. It’s these diff erences that need to be considered on the financial side of contracting.
While it’s just an extension of Bus Finance Australia’s existing efforts funding traditional diesel or hybrid bus fleets, Collins is continuing to work hard to ensure the added extras involved in transitioning to new technology is made easier for Australian businesses.
“We’re trying to expand this side and make people aware of our capabilities so that they can get another competitive quote and opinion,” he says.
“I encourage all in the industry looking to make this transition to call us and get another opinion so we can help you get the best quote out there. We may not suit everyone, but we know we can help get the best deal in the industry.”
StyleRide’s partnership with Fun Over 50 Holidays is enabling travellers over the age of 50 to get a first-class travel experience
For many Australians, the golden years of retirement are a time to explore the country’s vast and diverse landscapes.
Fun Over 50 Holidays has made it its mission to facilitate these adventures, providing immersive, extended tour experiences that allow its guests to discover the wonders of the continent at a leisurely pace.
Based in Queensland, the award-winning tour operator specialises in multi-day journeys that can stretch from one week to over two weeks in duration.
Unlike traditional charter services that shuttle passengers from point A to point B, Fun Over 50 Holidays curates comprehensive itineraries that allow its guests to truly soak
in the sights, sounds and cultural off erings of each destination.
“Our tours aren’t just about getting from one place to the next,” Fun Over 50 Holidays coach operations manager Rob Archibald told ABC.
“We want our guests to be able to relax, unwind and fully immerse themselves in the experience. That’s why comfort and amenities are so important to us.”
Wanting to provide its guests with a luxurious experience, the company knew it needed seating that could stand up to the rigors of the road. That’s why it turned to Brisbane-based seat manufacturer StyleRide.
“Comfort was a big factor for us,” Archibald says.
“We wanted to work with a brand that would be able to accommodate all of our requests and create an
experience that would leave our customers happy.”
Fun Over 50 Holidays first partnered with StyleRide in 2010, outfitting its initial 13.5m coach with the manufacturer’s seats.
“We wanted a lower seat with good lumbar support and adequate foot room, so our passengers could sit back and relax during the long journeys,” Archibald says.
“Spacing was also something we were very particular with, wanting to ensure passengers could recline to where it wouldn’t impose on the person behind them.
“Without even prompting them, our guests couldn’t stop praising the seats, and from that moment, we knew we had found the perfect manufacturer.”
Over the years, the relationship has
only grown stronger, with the tour operator equipping six of its coaches with StyleRide’s products.
“StyleRide has been instrumental in helping us create a truly premium experience for our guests,” Archibald says.
“They’ve worked closely with us to customise the seating, adding features like padded armrests and USB charging ports.”
The company’s attention to detail and willingness to accommodate requests has been a key factor in the partnership’s success and mirrors its commitment to listening to its customers.
“StyleRide has never said ‘no’ to us,” he says.
“They’ll come over, show us a model and work with us to get the exact configuration we need. It’s a true collaborative effort.”
This level of customisation has allowed Fun Over 50 Holidays to off er its guests a level of comfort that sets it apart from the competition.
The company has even created a ‘diamond class’ and ‘gold class’ version of its coaches, featuring wider seats and additional amenities.
These top-of-the-line touring coaches provide an unparalleled level of luxury and comfort, ensuring that every journey with the company is a truly first-class experience.
“Even a er we customised the seats themselves, the team at StyleRide
off ered to create diamond shaped emblems to place on the seats with our business name,” Archibald says.
“It sounds small, but it’s usually the small things that truly matter.”
Beyond the physical seating, the convenience of working with a local manufacturer has also been a major advantage for Fun Over 50 Holidays.
With StyleRide’s headquarters just a short drive away in Brisbane, the two companies have been able to maintain a close, collaborative relationship.
“It’s so easy for us to pop over and work through any customisation
Above:
The seats are equipped with a range of added bonuses
Below:
The Fun Over 50 Holidays seats are specially designed to cater for an older audience
requests or issues that come up,” Archibald says.
This collaborative effort can be seen in the newest Fun Over 50 Holidays coach that is due to roll up any day. With a mixture of the Aquarius and Silhouette models inside the coach, the interior was designed to ensure your lower back and knees are supported throughout the whole journey.
“Our target audience consists of fit, healthy and adventurous travellers over 50 for whom comfort and style are paramount,” he says.
“We will do anything we can to ensure that their journey is of top-tier quality.
“The positive feedback we get from our guests is a testament to the quality of StyleRide’s products and its commitment to customer satisfaction.”
As Fun Over 50 Holidays looks to the future, the company remains confident in its partnership with StyleRide.
“We know we can count on StyleRide to help us provide the best possible experience for our guests,” Archibald says.
“They’re a true extension of our business.”
With StyleRide’s support, Fun Over 50 Holidays is able to off er its guests a level of comfort and luxury that keeps them coming back, tour a er tour.
Cure Cancer’s national fundraising campaign is encouraging the Australian community to turn their next BBQ into a BarbeCURE, an opportunity to raise money for cancer research
This summer, Cure Cancer is inviting people around Australia to make their next BBQ something more impactful. The way to do so is simple – gather your friends, family and community, fire up the grill and ask your guests to donate to a worthy cause.
Whether it’s in your backyard or at the beach or a local park, your BarbeCURE can be more than just a chance to enjoy good food and great company. It can also help raise funds for life-saving cancer research.
The funds raised go towards supporting scientists working across all cancer types, funding cutting-edge research that improves treatments and outcomes for patients.
One research supported by this fundraising is Dr Ben Wylie, who focuses on childhood sarcoma.
Based at The Kids Research Institute Australia in Perth, Dr Wylie and his team have developed an innovative immunotherapy gel. This gel, cra ed from natural materials found in the body, targets surgical areas to activate the patient’s immune system, helping to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. For children facing aggressive cancers like sarcoma, this research off ers renewed hope for safer, more eff ective treatments and a brighter future.
“Most new cancer treatments are developed for adults and then adapted for childhood cancers, but children are not little adults,” he says.
“Support for childhood cancer research is vital to develop better treatments for cancers like sarcoma and improve outcomes for children and their families.
“This project funded by Cure Cancer will enable me to conduct cutting-edge research with the potential to create more eff ective treatments with fewer side eff ects.”
For this year’s BarbeCURE, Cure Cancer is aiming to raise $200,000 to fund two years of groundbreaking cancer research that accelerates breakthroughs, saves lives and brings Australia closer to a future where cancer is no longer a threat.
Currently, cancer continues to take a devastating toll, claiming nearly 10 million lives every year and aff ecting millions more. The only way to change this is through research. Since its inception, Cure Cancer’s BarbeCURE campaign has raised over $1.5 million, directly supporting emerging cancer researchers who are improving cancer care.
Hosting a BarbeCURE is both easy and rewarding. Start by planning your event – decide on a date, location and guest list. Whether it’s a casual weekend BBQ, celebration, or a
Above:
Cure Cancer is aiming to raise $200,000 to fund two years of groundbreaking cancer research
New Year’s gathering, any event can become a BarbeCURE.
Then, register the event at barbecure.com.au and invite your guests to join, then use social media to spread the word by tagging @curecancerau and using the hashtag #barbecure.
The next step is to fire up the grill, enjoy the food and day and encourage guests to make a donation. From there, celebrate and reflect by sharing photos and updates that allow guests to know the diff erence they’ve made by supporting cancer research.
Cure Cancer’s BarbeCURE ambassadors Manu Feildel, Gary Mehigan and Anna Polyviou have some great recipe ideas for your BarbeCUREs, from Manu’s chargrilled pork cutlet to Gary’s charred green vegetables and Anna’s peach melba pavlova smash.
Since its launch, BarbeCURE has proven that even small gatherings can have a big impact. Together, we can raise the $200,000 needed to support two years of pioneering research, giving hope to patients and families everywhere.
So, why not turn your next barbecue into a BarbeCURE? Register today, and let’s grill for good!
Register at: barbecure.com.au
Be sure not to miss out on an opportunity to attend these fantastic in-person events
MARCH
MARCH 4
BusVic Regional Conference –Bairnsdale
MARCH 5
BusVic Regional Conference –Leongatha
MARCH 7
BusVic Partners and Suppliers Forum
MARCH 12
BusVic Regional Conference –Ouyen & Swan Hill
MARCH 13
BusVic Regional Conference –Wodonga & Shepparton
MARCH 19–20
British Tourism & Travel Show –Birmingham
MARCH 20
BusVic Regional Conference –Bendigo
APRIL
APRIL 10–12
QBIC Annual Conference
APRIL 24
BusVic Regional Conference –Hamilton & Ballarat
APRIL 30–MAY 1
PTAANZ Melbourne Symposium
MAY
MAY 16–17
BusSA Annual Conference
MAY 30–31
TasBus Annual Conference
JUNE
JUNE 14
QBIC Regional Forum – Gympie
JULY
JUNE 11
QBIC Future Leaders Luncheon
AUGUST
AUGUST 2
QBIC Regional Forum – Chinchilla
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 11
QBIC Regional Forum – Gold Coast
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 22
PTAANZ Annual Conference and Gala Dinner – Brisbane
OCTOBER 29–31
BIC National Conference – Perth
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 14–15
QBIC Regional and Partner Forum – Cairns
NOVEMBER 22
QBIC Christmas Function
The February winner of ABC’s Best Bus comes courtesy of Grady Weatherley-Connell and his dynamic shot of a Ritchies’ Explorer bus
ith dozens of bus pics shooting into the ABC inbox, it was ultimately Grady Weatherley-Connell who took home Best Bus February a er he submitted a motion shot of a Ritchies 1129 Explorer bus hitting the town on New Year’s Day.
Weatherley-Connell’s winning photo beat a hotly contested field, including an action shot from Andrew Nikolzev of a Ventura bus being swarmed by cockatoos.
Jackie Sloothaak was fighting for the top spot as well, her snap of a shuttle bus taking day trippers and overnight hikers up and down the mountain from Tidal River to
Mt Oberon in the running.
Previous winner Damien Shiambi was also in the count, with his photo of a fleet of Ventura buses taking a rest bringing a much-loved energy to the competition.
There were another two entries from our winner Weatherley-Connell, both sporting that New Zealand flair courtesy of two diff erent Transurban CRRC eT12 MAX’s running services around Auckland.
While we had our eyes on a couple of entries, it was ultimately Weatherly-Connell and the Explorer which won in the end.
“The picture is of a Ritchies 1129
Alexander Dennis Enviro500
Above: Grady WeatherleyConnell’s shot of a Ritchies 1129 Explorer bus hitting the town on New Year’s Day
sporting the Ritchies livery,” he told ABC
“The bus was helping out the Auckland Explorer bus on New Year’s Day 2025.”
For his win, Weatherly-Connell received a free 12-month subscription to ABC Magazine, while the winning photo is live as ABC’s Facebook page cover photo for all of February.
If you want to be like Weatherly-Connell and have your best photo shown off courtesy of Best Bus, then don’t forget to send through your photos for March and the rest of 2025 via our website or by keeping an eye on our Facebook page for more details.
Above and below:
Two more pictures from Grady WeatherleyConnell of two different Transurban CRRC eT12 MAX’s running services around Auckland
The bus and coach industry is flying in 2025, with a major month of deliveries seeing it get ahead of the curve
The first run of deliveries for 2025 are in, with the Australian bus and coach industry getting off to a rapid start to the year.
The final number of 164 deliveries for January is well ahead of the same time last year, where there were 137 deliveries for the first month of the year, and gets the industry moving early.
In the chassis sector, Yutong led the way, with 45 deliveries of its D7 model allowing it to top the charts for January. Outside of this, a further 16 deliveries saw it finish with 61 for the month, with Volvo starting off the year strong with 50 deliveries in January. These two were far and away the leaders, with King Long (12) and BCI (11) the next best in January. A er them, Scania and Custom Denning both had the eight deliveries, while Guantong/GLK had six and the final eight deliveries were shared between five brands.
The bodybuilder market had an even start to the year, with plenty of companies sharing deliveries for January. Yutong’s 45 D7 deliveries
allowed it to lead the way, with Volgren the next best with 23. Irizar and BCI shared third spot with 18 deliveries apiece, while both Custom Denning (15) and King Long (12) recorded double figure deliveries. Guantong/GTK had the six deliveries, while the final 11 units were split between seven companies.
In the seating market, Yutong’s D7 deliveries saw it reach a total of 58 units for February, with McConnell continuing its dominance in recent times with 42 deliveries. Sege and StyleRide couldn’t be separated with the 25 deliveries each, while King Long recorded 12 to start off the year strong. Fainsa rounded out the market with the two units delivered for the month.
The air-conditioning market was similarly close to others, with Thermo King’s 25 deliveries being
Above: Queensland led the way for deliveries in January. Image: Translink
the next best a er Cling-Yutong’s big D7 month. Hispacold remained consistent with the 19 units delivered for January, with Valeo and King Long both reaching double figures with 12 deliveries apiece. The trio of Coachair, Spheros and MCC all recorded nine deliveries, finishing ahead of Songz (six) and Konvekta (two).
The state-based battle saw plenty of competition, but it was Queensland who started the year off the best with 47, or 29 per cent, of the deliveries. Western Australia shot up the charts to finish second with 39 deliveries, while Victoria rounded out the top three with 32, or 20 per cent, of the market. New South Wales came in fourth with 27 deliveries, with South Australia having a busy month with the 15 units delivered. The ACT rounded out the state and territory battle with the four deliveries for January.
The final number of 164 deliveries for January is well ahead of the same time last year, where there were 137 deliveries for the first month of the year, and gets the industry moving early
In the seating market, Yutong’s D7 deliveries saw it reach a total of 58 units for February, with McConnell continuing its dominance in recent times with 42 deliveries. Sege and StyleRide couldn’t be separated with the 25 deliveries each, while King Long recorded 12 to start off the year strong.
The air-conditioning market was similarly close to others, with Thermo King’s 25 deliveries being the next best a er Cling-Yutong’s big D7 month. Hispacold remained consistent with the 19 units delivered for January, with Valeo and King Long both reaching double figures with 12 deliveries apiece. The trio of Coachair, Spheros and MCC all recorded nine deliveries, finishing ahead of Songz (six) and Konvekta (two).
The bodybuilder market had an even start to the year, with plenty of companies sharing deliveries for January. Yutong’s 45 D7 deliveries allowed it to lead the way, with Volgren the next best with 23. Irizar and BCI shared third spot with 18 deliveries apiece, while both Custom Denning (15) and King Long (12) recorded double figure deliveries. Cling-Yutong 61
King 25
19
12
12
In the chassis sector, Yutong led the way, with 45 deliveries of its D7 model allowing it to top the charts for January. Outside of this, a further 16 deliveries saw it finish with 61 for the month, with Volvo starting off the year strong with 50 deliveries in January. These two were far and away the leaders, with King Long (12) and BCI (11) the next best in January. A er them, Scania and Custom Denning both had the eight deliveries, while Guantong/GTK had six.
Cling-Yutong
Cobey Hadley always had her eyes set on fixing vehicles, so when an opportunity came to work with Dysons, she jumped at the chance
The end of high school can o en be a daunting time for students. Stressing about exams, trying to get into the right university, choosing the right course. It can o en feel as if the weight of your future rests on those final months of year 12.
While students were tossing up between nursing and trades, marketing and vet studies, Cobey Hadley was already well on her way to fulfilling her goals.
With her father owning a four-wheel drive company, Hadley had spent the majority of her life around vehicles.
“I had always been around four-wheel drives, watching dad fit accessories and camping gear,” Hadley told ABC
“That was the starting point for me getting into cars and vehicles, I was immediately drawn to it.”
Noticing her interest never faltered, she signed herself up for a light vehicle VET course in her senior year.
“I loved it. It was exactly what I was looking for, something that combined a lot of my interests,” she says.
Inspired and ready to tackle more, Hadley began undertaking various work experiences in the light vehicle sector, even trying out earthmoving.
“I wanted to see what I would like, and how each one would be,” she says. “I was sold on diesel mechanics.”
Joining the VCE Vocational Major program in high school, Hadley was allowed to take two days a week away from school where she could start her first school-based apprenticeship.
Reaching out to various businesses across Melbourne, she was finding it difficult to secure a spot, until she heard about Dysons.
“My mum had bumped into someone that worked at Dysons, and asked if they would consider taking on
a new apprentice,” Hadley says.
“They passed on the workshop manager Chris Wood’s email, and I immediately reached out.
“At first, we agreed I could come in for a week’s work experience and see if we would be a good fit. A er it was finished, they off ered me the two-day a week apprenticeship.”
Despite never working with buses before, she was keen to jump in head-first.
“While the engine side of it is all pretty similar, everything else was so diff erent from the light vehicle side,” she says.
“I was picking up a lot of knowledge really quickly, and their confidence in me from the start was such a big help.”
Hadley is not only one of the youngest in the workshop, but she is also the only woman.
A er experiencing what it was like to be the only woman in other work environments, Hadley says she was blown away with the way Dysons treated her.
“I felt at some of the other places that I was constantly underestimated. They wouldn’t really let me do much because they didn’t trust that I would be able to,” she says.
“But as soon as I came here, everyone was just so lovely, and they actually have the confidence in
me to let me work with them and give me independent jobs.
“So when they off ered me the opportunity to come on full-time as a diesel mechanic apprentice, I jumped at it.”
Hadley says her family has been paramount to her success, supporting her through every stage and encouraging her to go for her dreams.
“They’ve given me the confidence to go for what I want and pursue the career I want despite what other people might say,” she says.
“Without them, I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable going for this job, but now that I have, I know I made the right decision.”
Dysons Bundoora workshop manager Chris Wood says he is super happy with Hadley on his team.
“Cobey is great, she’s probably the second best apprentice we’ve ever had behind me,” he jokes.
“These days, being a mechanic is much more about using your brain than being physical and that is becoming more true all the time with electric buses arriving into our workshop.”
Dysons encourages women like Cobey to look at traditionally male-dominated roles in the bus industry and beyond.
