Coach & Bus - Issue 9

2013 BUS OF THE YEAR - NEW CITARO INSIDE!

coach&bus www.truckandbus.net.au Issue 9 $6.60 incl. GST

media group

BRITISH LIONS Optare CityBuses head Down Under

BCI FACTORY OPERATOR TOUR - AUSSIE KNOW-HOW THAT’S MADE IN CHINA VOLVO PLUG-IN HYBRID - LANDMARK EUROPEAN TRIAL BEGINS VOLGREN DEBUT - WEST OZ GETS NEW ROUTE BUS FIRST TRANSIT SYSTEMS - AUSSIE CEO TALKS UK EXPANSION AND MORE

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Adtrans Smeaton Grange T 02 4655 5755 Newcastle Commercial Vehicles T 02 4974 7800 South Coast Truck & Bus Albion Park T 02 4256 7190 Thomas Brothers Wagga Wagga T 02 6926 0102 West Orange Motors Orange T 02 6361 1000

Queensland Dealers: Zupps Eagle Farm T 07 3268 8500 Zupps Rocklea T 07 3320 7777 Zupps Burleigh T 07 5569 5111 Ray Grace Forest Glen T 07 5452 0700 Macquarrie Corporation Garbutt T 07 4725 0799 Macquarrie Corporation Portsmith T 07 4035 3442

Victorian Dealers: Prestige Trucks Buses Vans Dandenong South T 03 9212 5588 HIGER - Melbourne Laverton North T 03 9931 6500

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South Australian Dealers: HIGER - Adelaide Regency Park T 08 8243 8100 Western Australian Dealers: WA Higer Welshpool T 08 6365 2954 Tasmanian Dealers: Tasmanian Truck & Bus Launceston T 03 6335 9166

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For enquiries, please call 1300 850 206 or go to higer.com.au

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Issue 009

Contents CONTACT DETAILS PO Box 3294 Erina, NSW 2250 www.truckandbus.net.au Enquiries Tel: 0411 099 091 Follow us on Twitter #truckandbusnews Managing Editor/Publisher Geoff Paradise gparadise@truckandbus.net.au Editor Fabian Cotter fabian@truckandbus.net.au Art Director Luke Melbourne luke@groeningdesigns.com.au Advertising Sales Bruce Williams 0418 349 555 bruce@overdrivemedia.com.au Contributing Writers Chris Smith, David Meredith, Allen Matzel Contributing Photographers Mark Bean, Cristian Brunelli, David Meredith, Chris Smith Coach & Bus magazine is published under licence by the Truck Power Media Group Pty Ltd six times a year and is distributed to bus and coach operators, business professionals and the industry throughout Australia.

All material contained herein including text, photography, design elements and format are copyright and cannot be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Truck Power Media Group is a member of the Copyright Agency Limited (1800 066 844).

Regulars

04 06 08 16 18 63 64

Driver’s Seat

Driver and passenger safety is key to encouraging more to use the service – but it could go the other way Editor Cotter warns. He’s also happy about having a stand at the BusVic show. Gee, some people...

Fare Go

Variety is the spice of life and once the UK’s Optare gets here it will doing its bit to offer Australian bus customers just that, says Publisher Paradise. Plus there’s more to come…

Up Front

We wrap up the key local and international bus and coach news that affects us as a global industry and where we are heading.

West Oz Gets New Volgren First

JUST OUT! Volgren and Monash University have got together to turn out a new route bus, which gets a run in Western Australia first. Impressions? We check it out.

The Whole Shebang

JUST OUT! King Long brings to Oz an all-new ‘full-sized’ school/charter bus and it’s being launched at the 2013 BusVic Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo. Come take a squiz…

Hot Stuff

If you are past Lego and Meccano then these trick gadgets are hard to resist. You may not need them, but you’ll certainly want them.

Money

Financial guru Paul Clitheroe explains why self-employed people need to maximise their super and talks about the raft of changes coming that just might affect you.

Technical

34

Plug ’n’ Play ON TRIAL: Volvo’s Plug-in Hybrid buses get a full trial in Sweden using a network grid of rechargers, so what does the future hold? Who knows, let’s find out.

Editorial contributions are welcome for consideration. Contact the Editor or Publisher for guidelines, fees and level of interest.

All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a stamp, addressed envelope for their return. We will not be held responsible for material supplied electronically.

Proudly printed in Australia

Single copy price $6.60 incl. GST

20

28

34

47

coach&bus 52 ‘...a next-gen Citaro that looks set for popularity in various world markets.’

Features

20

Rule Britannia!

47

60 Minutes With…

28

China Grove

52

Better With Age

Go Adams!

58

41

COVERSTORY: Indian owned and British built, the UK’s Optare has Down Under in its sights and is bringing its stunning Tempo and Solo SR buses here soon. Geoff Paradise checks them out.

EXCLUSIVE: The Annual 7th BCI Factory Tour showcases the latest wares and gives operators a behind-the-scenes insight into how it’s all done. Fabian Cotter hitched a slow boat to China.

OPERATOR: Doing great things out West Oz way, we visit the Adams Group of Go Adams and Australian Pinnacle Tours fame to see what’s what. David Meredith has a chat.

INTERVIEW: Aussie companies are getting flogged off left, right and centre these days, but Transit Systems has bucked the trend and bought into England. CEO Clint Feuerherdt speaks.

INTERNATIONAL: After generations of its illustrious Citaro brand name, Mercedes-Benz is suitably proud of its worldwide success. Now, the latest Euro6 New Citaro steps up to the crease for a lash.

Living In Paradise

OPERATOR: Queensland’s Paradise Coachlines is going gangbusters these days and it’s all because of dedication to service and a solid work ethic. Chris Smith checks out this small family run business.

004Driver’s Seat

Fabian Cotter

“…that’ll affect private and public operator business revenues in future and, in turn, bus sales. Get the picture?” any mass movement of people to use buses instead of cars and trains. And that’ll affect

There’s no need to hide behind the latest issue of Coach & Bus magazine and sneakily and slyly peek around the edges - when no-one’s looking, of course

private and public operator business revenue streams in future and, in turn, bus sales. Get the picture?

Yet the worst part is it’s the type of incidents

of unemployed out there on social security

- at our brand-new, you-beaut, first-time-ever exhibitors display stand at this year’s 2013 BusVic Show. Just come on over and say hi.

that’s worrying. Be it drunk and irate idiots verbally abusing fellow passengers as they please, to bus drivers themselves being

perhaps this is great time to dutifully search for and select suitable candidates, train and skill them in customer relations, self-defence and

We don’t bite … much.

That’s right, having a stand is sort of a coming of age for us at Planet Coach & Bus

abused and attacked, or I even read of young intoxicated teenage girls (read: underage alcohol sales?) punching and kicking an older

the law, thereby bringing back a modern day ‘conductor’ of sorts? Hey, just trying to kill two birds etc … don’t shoot the messenger…

because two years ago when we started - a veritable twinkle in the Australia bus industry’s eye, so to speak – there would have been quite a few punters out there that didn’t give us much chance of surviving, being the ‘new kids on the block’, and all. Us included, probably.

But here we are. We’ve checked our pulse and we are very much alive and kicking. Heck, we even do pilates and macramé and stuff, too.

Of course, we always had supreme confidence in what we were on about, what message we set out to achieve in delivering, and how best to go about it. Maybe. But given the strong and positive feedback we’ve consistently received from you all, and after listening to what readers wanted, it seems we just might be on the right track. Not train tracks, God forbid. Best make that a newly

lady bus passenger, then stealing her purse and fleeing - all on a route of an affluent Sydney suburb. What the...? Not good. And while people will quickly and conveniently brand such events as just racism motivated or merely a snapshot of everyday life and apathetically leave it at that, such superficial analysis fails to adequately comprehend the ever growing social decay that’s happening amongst Generation Y, Z, B1 + B2, KFC or whatever the heck other letter we are up to now. Respect for elders and others’ property these days is a dirty word, and it’s only getting worse. I showed respect growing up and now, at 40, I bloomin’ well want some payback too, dammit! But seriously folks…

Solve it? Collectively we’d love to given the impact it could have on us all, but realistically

Until then we’ll look at next-gen’ buses like this issue’s cover story on Optare’s Tempo and Solo SRs from the UK, where they are even being run there with leather seats, tables and power-charging sockets to make the modern business person’s decision to take the bus instead all the more simple.

Also inside we examine Volvo’s latest hybrid plug-in, the Euro6 New Citaro from MercedesBenz, we have chat with Transit Systems’ CEO Clint Feuerherdt, catch up with West Oz’s Adams Group and Queensland’s Paradise Coachlines, plus check out BCI’s modern factory in China. Volgren’s got a new route bus out, King Long’s got a new school bus too – yep, it’s all happening!

Until the next thrilling instalment, see you at the BusVic Show.

painted busway, instead. Ahhhhh, that’s better.

That’s right, we’ve gone from slinking around

probably not. But what that doesn’t entitle us to ignore it, so using modern technology of

the major bus shows like unknown ninjas to,

better and more CCTV cameras and telematics

er … well, we pretty much are still slinking around with such anonymity, but who cares

on buses, or improved driver-area protection ideas to fight it is our responsibility to the

about all that now because we have our own magazine stand at one. Whoohoo! And it’s here you’ll find copies of Coach & Bus covering all

‘good’ passengers and our hard-working drivers, I say.

The NSW State Government recently

that’s new and groovy. Whether it’s health and safety issues like diesel particulates causing cancer and bus seatbelts on school buses

attempted to tackle crime and fare evasion on public transport by introducing Transport Officers – whose role includes checking

saving lives, or exploring the array of cleaner propulsion methods like the latest hybrid and hydrogen buses, to test driving or announcing new buses and coaches coming onto our

tickets and assisting customers who have questions about public transport services – to complement the Police Transport Command, who took over the security of public transport

market - we’ll be there with cow bells on.

It’s not all guns and roses, though. There’s much in the bus industry and greater

from transit officers in May last year.

A welcomed move, for sure, but I’m hoping it won’t just amount to ‘there’s never a cop

community that needs to be addressed and needs to be addressed fast, I reckon. Though a few key people have mentioned ‘it’s not really our problem’, I’m pretty sure the number

around when you need them’-type scenarios, which is often the case. Perhaps having someone always on the bus to be the driver’s eyes and ears as well is the way forward.

of incidents and assaults on buses – be they on passenger or driver – could majorly derail

Costs too much to do? Well, you get what you pay for, remember? And with X amount

Weird and Wild Market entrance, China.

Pic: Fabian Cotter

H

ello. Hi, there. Yes … yes, you!

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006Fare Go

Geoff Paradise “…we are either given the ‘heads-up’ on incoming models confidentially, or we put two and two together.”

F

or a country that is so often considered to be remote Australia

those same consumers started using their computers to buy things over the ‘net and not

certainly has its fair share of choice in, well, just about everything.

But let me first address the ‘remote’ tag we so often get. Remote from where? Europe?

from one of his emporiums! But I digress…

The variety of buses coming to Australia is increasing. New players, new models and revised existing models are par for the course.

North America? The North Pole? No argument there, that’s for sure.

But being ‘remote’ hasn’t stopped Australian

No doubt this year’s BusVic show in Melbourne will be testimony to that observation.

The latest brand to enter the market here is

consumers from having the choice of goods the world offers.

Consumer items, entertainment in the form

Optare – Indian owned, British built. As you’ll see from our feature starting on page 20, the Optare product sits just outside the square in

of movies and television shows, books and magazines, a huge variety of automobiles (perhaps too much choice there) and, of course, buses and coaches are readily available from most, if not all, parts of the world. The exception is the US, where lefthook steering and excessively wide bodies kill any chance of them ever coming here, which may be a good thing.

While it’s unlikely anyone will buy a bus or coach from the internet it has made shopping for smallish items so easy – much to the annoyance of Harvey Norman’s Gerry Harvey who, in case you don’t recall, made much of his fortune flogging computers to consumers and then only to lobby for a decrease in the $1000 threshold for tax-free imports when

terms of design and construction technique.

It is refreshingly different and when models are on show at the Sydney Exhibition later this year (September 26-27) bus operators will be able to see first-hand what they are all about. Unless, of course, you have been to the UK lately where there are plenty in service with FirstGroup/Transit Systems and Arriva, to name but two.

There will be other, surprising models of existing bus brands becoming available here over the next 12 months. Being close to the manufacturers we are either given the ‘headsup’ on incoming models confidentially, or we put two and two together from information we glean during conversations with various company executives.

Suffice to say over the next few months new model announcements will raise a few eyebrows within the industry.

But this is good. An increasing array of models gives operators a wider choice and with competition comes improved product that not only includes passenger comfort and safety, but undoubtedly more fuel efficient and productive buses.

We’ve covered it before, but bus travel - or rapid transit, as they often refer to it in the US - is a far more cost-effective means of moving large numbers of people without incurring the huge costs associated with light rail, which once in place is there to stay. Not so, dedicated bus lanes.

With more variety of buses on the market operators can tailor specifically for their needs at different times of the day and night. After all, why would you use a 40-plus seater during the middle of the day when a something smaller will do the job more cost effectively?

Watch this space, as more will be revealed over coming issues.

SCANIA ReADy BuILT TRANSpoRT SoLuTIoNS Scania has a Ready Built solution to your school and charter bus requirements.

Already in operation throughout Australia, the Scania-Higer A30 sets new standards for operating economy, driveability, handling and reliability.

Features include:■

High quality body and interior

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Available in 280hp – 320hp

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Choice of six-speed automatic transmission or eight-speed two pedal Opticruise Built-in retarder

Giving fleet operators a virtual off-the-shelf solution means rapid order-to-delivery times come as standard.

For more information on the Scania-Higer A30 contact:QLD Chris Hunt: 0419 383 083 VIC/SA/TAS Dean Cash: 0478 310 518 Jamie Atkinson: 0408 059 501 WA Jim Lynn: 0407 931 362 NSW John Allen: 0407 006 366

UpFront HYBRID BUS TRIAL POSITIVE

follow us online at: www.truckandbus.net.au

EARLY RESULTS of the Volvo B5RHLE 12-month trial, run by Perth’s public

The CAT routes, which pass through Perth’s CBD, offer high frequency travel

The Volvo B5RHLE uses a parallel hybrid system combining the electric

comfort as the overall noise levels will be lower due to the hybrid engine stop/

transport operator Transperth, are showing a positive trend, claims Volvo.

In May, 2013, Australia’s first Volvo hybrid bus hit the road and is running

with a low comparative average speed of about 14km, which is optimal for the Volvo hybrid technology, it’s claimed.

“The trial gives us the opportunity to

and diesel engine. Compared to a conventional diesel bus, the hybrid utilises energy otherwise wasted during braking. At a traffic light or bus stop,

start characteristics, especially when the bus is running electric only,” he happily explained.

“Our objective for the remainder of

in Perth’s free inner-city Central Area Transit (CAT) service.

“Although we are still in the beginning of the trial, early results are positive; the

evaluate hybrid technology within the Perth public transport network with our current bus supply partner Volvo,” said Burke, recently.

the diesel engine shuts down as another fuel saving measure.

The stored energy is used to charge the battery to allow the bus to run as

the 12-month trial is to evaluate the collected data and make an assessment of the future CAT bus replacement strategy,” he said.

hybrid bus is servicing the Perth CAT routes effectively. We are collecting data using on-board Volvo telematics and

“We are hoping we will achieve fuel consumption savings, emissions reductions and lower noise output

electric only, which saves fuel. The parallel hybrid can also combine or solely use the output of the diesel

For the first time in Australia, Volvo Bus will be displaying a hybrid chassis and driveline on the ground floor of

service operator figures, which show a positive trend developing on fuel and emissions savings,” said Paul Burke, fleet manager of Transperth, Public Transport Authority (PTA).

through the use of hybrid technology.

Our aim is to develop a future CAT bus fleet replacement strategy and embrace the potential environmental benefits offered by the technology,” Burke added.

engine, when the battery is low or when extra power is needed when accelerating.

“Compared to a diesel bus, passengers may experience improved

the Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo in Melbourne, during 1-2 July, 2013. Volvo will be conducting technical workshops about hybrid technology during both days of the exhibition.

008 www.truckandbus.net.au

Transdev Wins Melbourne Gig

TRANSDEV MELBOURNE is now the preferred tenderer for the Melbourne

will deliver safe, integrated, accessible and reliable services. Customer needs

including refurbishing older buses.

“Over the franchise life, we will grow

(WA), Caval Ridge (QLD), Sydney (Harbour City Ferries, with Transfield

Metropolitan Bus Franchise by Public Transport Victoria (PTV), on behalf of the Victorian Government, it was announced recently - but not without its detractors.

will be our ultimate priority.

“Transdev proposes to deliver the following benefits to customers in the first two years of the franchise:

patronage and customer satisfaction and build customer and community trust in, and awareness of, our buses,’ Thomas said.

Services), Darwin (NT, with Buslink); the retention of contracts in Auckland (NZ), Rockingham (WA), Fremantle (WA), Sydney (NSW); and the successful

The franchise covers about 30 per cent of the Melbourne bus market and is for a period of seven years, and may be extended for a further three years

additional services across the network, including the addition of Sunday services on some routes; a simplified network, particularly through the CBD;

Yet according to Volgren – Australia’s claimed largest bus body builder general manager sales and marketing Tony Kerr believes the decision to award

merger of the previous Veolia Transport and Transdev businesses.

Transdev in Australasia runs businesses in Auckland (rail), Brisbane

subject to meeting performance targets.

The franchise will integrate more than 1000 staff, 50 routes and 500 vehicles

a reduction in route duplication; and increased hours of operation on both weekdays and weekends.

the contract to French-owned Transdev would result in the use of imported buses on Australian route services for

(bus, coach, ferry), Central Queensland (vivo connect coach), Darwin (Buslink VIVO coach), Perth (bus), SW Western

in the east and west of Melbourne and the SmartBus orbitals.

“This outcome is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work by our team to produce a compelling and exciting bid that will deliver a better way with buses for both bus users and Victorian taxpayers,” said Mr Edward Thomas, CEO of Transdev Melbourne, the Melbourne Bus franchisee. Thomas (pictured, right), who will lead a dedicated management team, has more than 12 years’ experience in public transport, most recently overseeing Transdev’s 1200-strong bus operations right across Australia.

“Our vision is to become the transport mode of choice for Melbourne’s

“These improvements are a foretaste of the future as we work to develop a completely new (Green Fields) timetable for 2015. Reliability will also improve as we introduce an operations control centre to assist drivers and improve information for customers, particularly during disruptions. We will re-locate depots to enable the integrated network and to meet today’s needs but also cater for the future growth of Melbourne.

“We will also introduce sweeping innovations based on our customer research, including: training drivers in a proven customer care methodology; recruiting staff with customer-centric attitudes; improving customer information pre- and post journey;

the first time.

He believes in the original PTV tender document a clause stipulating that buses used on the routes should be able to operate for 25 years was amended at the time of the final version of the tender document.

“What’s happened now is the Victorian Government, by virtue of this contract, is potentially going to be the first Government in Australia to support the possible running of imported buses in the metropolitan area, where high running and high uptime are key requirements,” Kerr stated. “Yet imported buses are unproven over the distance.

“We [Volgren] hope to have the opportunity to showcase to the new

Australia (bus, coach) and Sydney (bus, ferry, light rail).

travelling public by creating a worldclass bus network that is easily identifiable, intuitively meets the needs

and launching the Transdev Customer Charter. We will also improve the options for feedback by using our Listen

operator what we can do, but reports suggest the winning tender was costed around imported buses,” he added.

of customers, and achieves operational and financial benefits for the community.

Our vision is consistent with PTV’s: we

technology and the Meet our Managers programme and enhancing the design, space, comfort and security of travel,

This Transdev win is the latest in a series of results in the past few years including: tender wins in Joondalup

www.daewoobuses.com .au BENCHMARK QUALITY – PROVEN RELIABILITY – SENSATIONAL VALUE

PROVEN QUALITY COMPONENTS Daewoo Buses has forged strong partnerships with its component suppliers to ensure maximum customer satisfaction and minimise operating costs.

Global brands with the highest reputation such as Doosan engines, Allison transmission, Dana axles and Bosch engine management systems ensure you are guaranteed only the best quality components in your Daewoo.

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT DAEWOO CALL (02) 9603 2900 TODAY. DW2487/0613

volvo hybrid technology for greener cities The new Volvo B5RLE Hybrid is not only the most fuel-efficient Volvo city chassis, thanks to the ability of running with the diesel engine shut off, but it’s also reliable regardless of driveline technology.

Add to that silent and emission-free boarding and take off, it’s a winner.

Are you ready to team up for green efficiency?

Hybrid chassis first time on display To find out more, visit our stand at the Maintenance Conference & Bus Expo or visit our website volvobuses.com.au.

volvo buses. driving quality of life www.volvobuses.com.au

UpFront

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ASIA MOTORS – BUSY BEES A NEW South Australian facility, ongoing school bus orders and new

BH120SN low-floor chassis to TSA in Adelaide for a three-month trial, while

comprehensive training programme being implemented are just some of the things going at Asia Motors, recently, it’s claimed.

Mackay City Transit has just taken delivery of two UBC/Chiron-bodied Daewoo BS120SN low-floor buses, taking the count of that model to three,

Firstly, the current order of buses for the South Australia Department of Education and Child Development is being processed and delivered during

which overall brings the total fleet of Daewoos to 13 – with three more to be delivered in future.

And finally, a dedicated training facility

STRONG BUSINESS growth from Volvo’s newly signed bus supply contract with

‘WHO YA GUNNA CALL?’ VOLVO BUSES launched the Mr.

the next few weeks, while Asia Motors has also opened a branch in South Australia at 93 Wing Street, Wingfield.

is under construction at the Sydney office, which will offer a variety of training courses from basic two-day to

Perth Transport Authority (PTA) and Western Australia’s rapid population growth rate has led to a new West

Bus programme within its dealer network recently, designed to enhance customer service levels in major bus

This facility will be equipped to cater for pre-delivery and ongoing service for Daewoo bus operators throughout South Australia.

Then, Daewoo Bus has supplied a Custom (Coaches) CB80-bodied Daewoo

comprehensive five-day duration. The training syllabus is being prepared in conjunction with Daewoo technical staff in Korea and will incorporate Australian content, the company states. Whew!

Busy times, indeed.

Australian Service Centre, the company claims, recently.

The bus service centre currently supports the 182 Volvo city buses on Perth’s roads today. With Volvo’s view of expanding business to the private sector and WA’s population pushing well over 2 million residents in less than 15 years, it’s anticipated business won’t be slow for the newly opened service centre.

The new Welshpool facility houses four bus-specific mechanics that deal solely with bus operators with a new apprentice starting in July. Among those four is James Garrett, nicknamed “Mr Bus Perth”, who is the go-to-person for all bus-related service issues.

Thanks to his father Max Winkless,

dealer sites around Australia. The announcement coincides with the appointment of two new staff to the Mr. Bus roles, Paul O’Mahoney at the Volvo Commercial Vehicles (VCV) Brisbane dealership and Ali Alali at the VCV Sydney dealership, joining the dealer bus teams in their respective areas.

The after-sales managers, better known as “Mr. Bus”, will be the go-toperson and first point-of-contact for all customer service, parts and repairsrelated issues.

The new Mr. Bus roles are an important addition to existing Volvo bus specialty services. CMV Volvo Bus in Laverton and Truck Centre Western Australia (TCWA) in Welshpool are

Welshpool dealer principal of Truck Centre Western Australia (TCWA) Phil Winkless has “lived and breathed Volvo” since he

already established with bus specific service centres. In the west, James Garrett, bus workshop supervisor, plays

was 10 years old. Described as the “the father” of Volvo in Australia, Max was the first to import Volvo products - first cars

the role of Mr.Bus at the Volvo-accredited dealer TCWA, while Joshua Sevenson, bus workshop foreman, leads the

then trucks - to the country in the 1960s.

service team at CMV in Melbourne.

Welshpool (TCWA) dealer principal Phil Winkless

VOLVO WA EXPANDS

www.daewoobuses.com .au BENCHMARK QUALITY – PROVEN RELIABILITY – SENSATIONAL VALUE

SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON Asia Motors knows buses like no other. This means we know which parts to keep in stock and how to get them to you fast. With 24/7 parts and technical support from factory-qualified technicians only a phone call away you know you have support when you need it.

Our investment in a state of the art parts warehouse including fully computerised parts and inventory management systems means our commitment is guaranteed.

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT DAEWOO CALL (02) 9603 2900 TODAY.

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www.truckandbus.net.au 051

Why despair about rising fuel costs?

Just lighten up Dramatically rising fuel costs are driving operators to look for vehicles that deliver proven operational economy. It’s a well known fact that heavier vehicles use more fuel but Optare’s fully integral buses are designed from the outset to be incredibly strong and durable, but with significantly reduced overall weight. This, together with a selection of industry-renowned heavy duty driveline options, means that our vehicles consistently beat the competition to deliver class-leading fuel efficiency. Innovative designs, advanced engineering and precise balance of performance and economy ensure that every Optare bus looks as good on your bottom line as it does on the road.

Optare - good for the environment, good for the bottom line!

For more information, call the manufacturer of choice

1300 OPTARE www.optarebus.com.au

UpFront

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BUS APPS WORKING? REAL-TIME BUS apps are improving customer journeys across Sydney every day, with more than one million

three apps provide a free ‘lite’ version, or come at a small cost to access all features and are available at the Apple

downloads of the real-time GPS technology since their release in December, NSW Minister for Transport

and Android App stores.

Gladys Berejiklian said recently.

Last year the NSW Government brought together some of Australia’s most talented app developers to create

•Real-time information is being used for State Transit bus services that operate in the inner west and southern suburbs, northern beaches, north shore and

the apps as part of a competition. The first three apps with real-time bus information launched in December were TripView, TripGo and Arrivo Sydney.

eastern suburbs.

•One of the more popular bus routes tracked are those that run through the northern beaches into the city.

The apps contain data spanning some 8200 stops, more than 1900 buses and almost 1200 routes across Sydney. All

•In one of the apps, TripView, there is an average of 1 million requests for real time-bus data every week.

FAST FACTS:

TWO-AXLE INCREASE

NSW Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay recently announced

65 kilograms.

Thus now bus operators can

increased weight limits for two-axle buses operating in NSW. “For more than a decade, transport operators and the tourism sector have been asking for increased mass limits to reflect the added weight of additional engineering and safety features on modern day buses and coaches,” he said.

“More robust suspension and braking systems, stronger roll cage features, steel frames to better anchor passenger seats, complex engine designs to reduce emissions and the provision of wheel chair lifts have all added to the overall weight of modernday buses.

Also, the national average weight for

sometimes find themselves exceeding current mass limits despite complying with manufacturer requirements and staying within legal passenger number limits, it’s claimed.

Research suggests when most two axle buses exceed current mass limits it only occurs for very short periods and has minimal impacts on road ‘wear and tear’.

Most chassis for two axle buses are manufactured in Europe and are designed to operate at mass limits greater than those permitted in the majority of Australian states.

“Major manufacturers like Scania, Mercedes and Volvo have been producing vehicle chassis designed

men is now at 86 kilograms and 71 kilograms for women. When Australian Design Rules for buses and coaches

to weigh 18 tonnes at Gross Vehicle Mass for a number of years. Our buses should be allowed to travel at the

were first implemented in 1989, the average weight was mandated at only

weight they are designed to safely operate at,” he said.

UpFront

follow us online at: www.truckandbus.net.au

BUS BOOKINGS AID LAUNCHED A NEW SOFTWARE package launched recently in Australia aimed at aiding

of the software, the parameters of which are dictated by those

the world snare business that may otherwise have been lost, and or

operators fan out business instead of losing it is being touted as set to change the way the coach industry works, it’s claimed.

operators who purchase or rent the software, which enables them to instantaneously tender out certain charters to their preferred operators

informing operators of jobs they may never have known about any other way.

An add-on to the popular Coach Manager application by Distinctive

Called Coach Manager Connect

by Distinctive Systems, the early feedback is it looks set to help operators here as it is already doing

or the Coach Manager community at large, for an agreed price or to invite offers, instead of the host operator losing out on that work altogether.

Systems, and available to all users with a current maintenance and support contract Coach Manager Connect starts with a booking you

so in its native Britain and elsewhere around the world.

Jamie Gemmell, general manager

For example, a potential customer seeks to book a trip in a certain area for a certain duration and if you are

already have in your system. A wizard helps you to quickly refine it down to exactly what you need covered

of Distinctive Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd, said: “After a successful launch in the UK, and with over 70

unable to meet that need, be it from your vehicles being in scheduled or unscheduled downtime, or drivers

and no more. You either set the price you’re willing to pay, or leave it open to offers. You choose who to send

companies throughout Australia and New Zealand using Coach Manager, we are expecting Coach Manager Connect to transform the way that charters are subcontracted in Australia & New Zealand”.

It works by connecting via the internet to a client base of all Coach Manager users with the latest version

unable to work at those times, then why just let the potential customer leave and lose that business? Coach Manager Connect enables you to quickly send the job out to ‘subcontractors’ of your choosing so that the business is not lost. The ‘strength in numbers’-type alliance system is reportedly helping operators around

it to, selecting from a list of your preferred operators. You can double check the booking details and the operators it’s going to on the wizard summary page, then just click to upload it to the Connect server.

Pop-up notifications alert you to incoming bookings other operators need to have covered and about offers you’ve made that have been accepted. The Connect bookings grid shows details of every outstanding booking that has been sent to you by other operators. By default the earliest pick-ups are at the top of the list, but urgent requirements are always flagged as such. You can click on any booking to see its full details, other than the identity of the original client. If you’d like to offer to cover the booking all you have to do is click the Make Offer button; either accepting the offered price or specifying how much you want.

BUSTECH’S NEW HELPS OLD With a collection of buses dating from 1914, the Sydney Bus Museum first opened in Tempe, NSW, in 1986, but was then closed and relocated to Leichhardt. It’s due to open late 2013. To raise funds, they rolled out some oldies and put on a Back To the Northern Beaches Tour recently, which was joined by Bustech’s stunning CDi Doubledecker (m/o 9642), run in Transport for NSW livery by Forest Coachlines. “It was 65 years of high capacity vehicles for comparison,” as onlooker Daniel Howard put it. What a great sight!

OOPS! CORRECTION… In Issue 8 of Coach & Bus magazine, our story entitled Fight Club about Denning Manufacturing Pty Ltd incorrectly stated that Tony McCafferty was the brother of Jack McCafferty. He was, of course, his son – and we unreservedly apologise for any misunderstanding or confusion caused.

Are you being heard?

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Dedicated Secretariat and sector Committees Representation at the Local, State & Federal levels Representation on Government Forums Regular updates on key Industry issues Industrial Relations advice and much more...

Visit www.qbic.com.au to learn more, or contact us for an information pack Email: info@qbic.com.au Phone: 07 3397 1700

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Just Out!

West Oz Gets New Volgren First The first major launch since the Marcopolo investment,Volgren’s new route bus hits the road in Perth.

I

n conjunction with Monash University, Volgren has handed over the first of its new route bus designs to the West Australian Government, with a slew of this vehicle model to make it around Australia in years to come.

Volgren – claimed as Australia’s biggest bus maker – says the Perth-built bus is the first to be produced on any production line, and provides significantly improved passenger and driver ergonomics, as well as improved design for more efficient maintenance and repair.

“We are delighted that Perth passengers will be the first to benefit from this new bus, which will carry tens of thousands of passengers over its lifetime,” said Tony Kerr, Volgren’s

purpose-built facility at Malaga, set to make hundreds of the model in coming years as part of Volgren’s long-term contract with the West Australian Public Transport Authority (PTA).

“We are delighted to support WA manufacturing and WA jobs,” Kerr said. “Our WA plant is leading the way, with our other factories in Melbourne and Brisbane coming on-line with production later in 2013.”

Kerr praised the PTA for its input during development of the new bus: “Their contributions have been very important and have helped ensure that this new bus is an outstanding vehicle,” he said.

The new model is part of the PTA’s longterm contact with Volgren to build more than

aluminium system that makes them lighter, stronger and safer,” Dale said. “They also are corrosion resistant and easier to repair, making their cost over their lifetime significantly cheaper than a traditional steel bus.”

Volgren’s purpose-built construction facility at Malaga had created 100 jobs, plus a further 60 jobs in the local supply chain, according to Dale, and he was delighted those jobs were secure.

“We are a family company and we consider our employees as part of our family. We know that our people are our greatest asset,” Dale said.

Under the new contract, Volgren created more jobs by adding a Perth-based service

general manager of sales and marketing.

“Volgren has spent more than $3 million developing this new model in collaboration with Monash University’s School of Industrial Design. The result is a state-of-the-art model,

800 buses in Western Australia. The buses are built on a Volvo chassis.

Volgren is responsible for making about one-in-three buses sold in Australia, it’s claimed. In December 2011, Brazilian bus-

and refurbishment facility to augment the Malaga plant.

“This new facility will provide a base for Volgren’s mobile field service technicians, provide a range of body maintenance and

which has received significant input from bus operators and bus drivers.”

According to Volgren, it has worked closely

maker Marcopolo acquired a majority stake in Volgren, and now jointly owns the company with Melbourne’s Grenda family.

repairs and provide a local spare parts store and dispatch centre.”

The Malaga facility also provides a

with Monash University’s Department of Design since 2006 when the company initiated a PhD scholarship at the university.

It was in 2010 that Volgren effectively extended its 11-year partnership with the PTA by being awarded a new contract to build

springboard for potential export markets, particularly in Asia, with the facility having already produced more than 150 buses for

This led to a comprehensive research and redesign project that created Volgren’s FutureBus Project, which included a

PTA buses for the next decade at least.

“Volgren has been proud to partner with PTA for the past 11 years, producing 950

local and overseas clients, outside the PTA contracts.

Dale said Volgren continued to be the

complete overhaul of the driver’s area.

The R&D project that has resulted in the

buses over that time, and it is wonderful that our strong relationship will continue,’ said

country’s most innovative bus body-builder, having introduced to Australia ultra-low-floor

new vehicle was again closely developed

managing director Peter Dale at the time.

buses, bolted aluminium bus body structures

in conjunction with Monash University, and included extensive research into global

Dale said Volgren had grown in the previous decade to be Australia’s largest and most

and bus body electrical multiplexing.

“The PTA is one of the largest bus

bus trends and state-of-the-art designs worldwide.

The bus is being produced at Volgren’s

innovative bus body-builder, producing the highest-quality vehicles.

“Our buses are constructed using a unique

operators in Australia and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship in the decades to come.”

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“…more than $3 million developing this new model with Monash University.”

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1 The Perth-based team quite

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proud of their efforts for the new route bus.

It’s quite a stylish front end on the new Volgren. Headlights look modern and chic.

An interesting rear end. Highly visible tail-lights mean there should be no mistaking when the brake lights are applied.

Good space to get on board.

Driver protection a thoughtful addition.

Good use of space inside.

Looks pleasing to the eye.

BUS SPECS MODEL: Volgren Route Bus BODY: Volgren aluminium co-bolt system, capacity 41, two doors.

DIMENSIONS: Length - 12.3m, Width 2.5m, Height - 3.25m CHASSIS: Volvo B7RLE (as pictured) SEATS: McConnell Urban 2000; Material – Holdsworth AIR-CON: Thermoking Citi RT

www.truckandbus.net.au 017

Just Out!

The Whole Shebang If bigger is better then King Long’s new school bus is right on the money for some. And that’s before the discounts.

A

n all-new ‘full-sized’ King Long school/charter bus is being launched at the 2013 BusVic Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo by Heavy Vehicles Australia (VHA), come July 1-2 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Known as the King Long 6120 and 6130 Series, measuring 12.3m and 13.2m respectively, the standard 6120 comes with 57 seats, while the ‘extended’ 13.2m version has 61 seats - or 57 seats and rear-mounted toilet, which is totally mandatory for those long trips without decent ‘pitstops’ if you know what we are saying (So just how were those kebabs?)

It’s all quality running gear on paper, with both

suspension and ZF rear axle.

According to King Long, some of the other key features are: the bus will be fitted with ADR68-complied seatbelted seats as standard at no extra cost; split front windscreen for lower cost windscreen repair, multiple access panels to electrical wiring, AC pipes, and luggage rack optional to suit different application; fire protection system fitted to the engine compartment is also standard.

Also, the complete monocoque bus frame is electrophoresis coated (E-coated) to prevent corrosion. King Long states it has invested more than USD$30 million to build a new state-of-the-art ‘whole-vehicle-dipping’

Long, like King Long’s own Telematics system, integrated tachograph, vehicle diagnostics, multimedia system and reverse camera. Plus there’s King Long’s own air-conditioning, alloy wheels, ABS and traction control as standard.

And though a final, landed, Aussie-dollar price with on-roads could not be confirmed at the time of print, King Long’s willing to dangle a bit of a pre-launch carrot that ends on 30 September, where customers who order buses by then will receive $10,000 off the normal selling price. Better still, orders at either the BusVic show Melbourne, or at the BusNSW show in Sydney, will receive an additional $5000 off the price, confirms King Long.

versions equipped with a Cummins ISL 8.9-litre 320hp engine, ZF Auto Ecolife transmission, as well as ZF steering, ZF front independent

treatment facility.

There’s a stack of news whizz-bang electrical gadgets and gizmos inside, too, says King

Coach & Bus magazine will be doing a full driving test of this new bus for a forthcoming issue soon. Stay tuned.

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1 Drivers should enjoy this

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one; discerning dash layout is par for the course.

2 This baby is so new even the plastic is still on. They’ll be off when you buy yours.

3 First impressions are the best impressions and thus far the new King Long looks spot-on.

BUS SPECS MODEL: King Long 6120 and 6130 Series ENGINE: Cummins ISL 8.9-litre 320hp engine; ZF Auto Ecolife transmission; ZF steering BODY: 12.3m and 13.2m, respectively.

57 seats; ‘extended’ 13.2m version 61 seats, or 57 seats with rear-mounted toilet CHASSIS: Monocoque bus frame, electrophoresis coated (E-coated) SUSPENSION: ZF front independent suspension, ZF rear axle BRAKES: ABS; traction control MISC: Telematics system, integrated tachograph, vehicle diagnostics, multimedia system and reverse camera, King Long air-conditioning, alloy wheels

fro Sof m twa on re a ly re m $1 nt on 3 al th 7.

50

Coach Manager

Tour Booking System

Vehicle Maintenance System

Charter and Contract Booking System

Tour and Excursion Reservations

Maintenance Planning and Workshop Management

Our Tour Booking System is a complete management solution for individual passenger reservations on extended tours, day trips and express services. In addition to being a powerful back office system, TBS incorporates a fully automated data driven website for handling online reservations from travel agents and direct clients with automatic emailing of invoices.

Our Vehicle Maintenance System is a workshop management system specially designed for coach, bus and truck operators. The software provides defect reporting, inspection planning, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activity management, job cards, history recording and workshop control. VMS simplifies the whole process and will help ensure records always meet the required standard.

Coach Manager is a start to finish solution for the management of charter and regular contract work specially designed for coach and bus operators. The software offers secure handling of bookings, easy and efficient allocation of vehicles and drivers, client confirmations, driver work tickets, invoicing and a built-in sales ledger with extensive financial reporting facilities.

Industry Leading Software For Coach And Bus Companies Distinctive Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd, Level 8, 350 Collins Street, Melbourne. 3000 Victoria Telephone: +61 (0)3 8676 0670 Facsimile: +61 (0)3 8601 1180 Email: sales@distinctive-systems.com Website: www.distinctive-systems.com

Cover Story

SCOOP!

Rule

Britannia!

OPTARE CITY BUSES INVADE OZ SOON!

020 www.truckandbus.net.au

• Tempo SR (main picture) and its smaller sibling the Solo SR are modular in their construction. Varying lengths and seating capacities will be available here.

Want technical innovation and superlative bus design? Optare’s got it in spades - and it’s coming to ‘a theatre near you’ in Australia later this year. The UK bus builder earned the prestigious Innovation Award by the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in 2012, pipping the likes of Jaguar and Infiniti no less. Geoff Paradise visited the Leeds-based company to file this exclusive story. www.truckandbus.net.au 021

F

act: British-made Optare buses will go on sale in Australia later this year!

All of the buses will meet ADR requirements and will have single and mid-door options.

a very good bit of kit.

Coach & Bus magazine visited Optare

With no fewer than seven city bus models to arrive, the first will be on display as early as 25-26 September at the 2013 Australian Bus + Coach Show, Sydney

The Solo SR bus comes with ECE R66 compliance for rollover protection and the 12.5m Tempo SR has a tare weight from 10,000kg. The smaller Solo buses’ tare weights

recently and was given exclusive and unfettered access to the factory, its senior executives and engineering team, including sitting in on closed production meetings for the secretive Australian

Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.

The bus range for Australia comprises four mid-size city buses. The Solo SR has lengths of 7.0m, 7.8m, 9.0m and 9.8m with seating

start from 6000kg.

A variety of seats from leading seat manufacturers are available with or without seatbelts, headrests, armrests, seat trims and

models - a privilege rarely afforded to any magazine or publication, anywhere.

Optare buses’ fit and finish is second to none. Modular in construction, they are able

capacities of 23, 27, 33 and 37, respectively.

The 7.0m Solo is 2.3m wide; all others in the range are 2.5m wide.

seat-back options are available including a range of colours and fabrics.

By the standards of Alexander Dennis and

to accommodate customers’ requirements for a range of stylish interior trim combinations ranging from cloth to leather; a variety of

The larger Tempo SR will be available in 10.5m, 11.8m and 12.5m with seating capacities of 39, 43 and 47, respectively.

Wrightbus, Optare can be considered a minor player in the bus business, but this gives them the relative ‘under the radar’ advantage to build

different floor cover combinations; and can be custom painted to customers’ requirements.

The Optare design is refreshingly different

Monocoque in design the end result is a solid yet lightweight combined chassis and frame.

Aluminium panels are fitted by way of an extruded top strip and then secured with quick-release fasteners along the bottom.

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to what is currently available in Australasia.

While buses are usually nothing more than long

The side glass creates a true glasshouse effect with the side windows bonded in place

rectangular boxes, Optare’s design team has pushed the envelope front and rear with both the Tempo SR and the Solo SR to deliver a bus that is distinctly 21st century in its look.

and equal-length ventilation windows along the top.

Inside the bus, the huge glass area creates a genuine open-plan cabin and, in the Tempo

The Tempo SR, more so than the Solo SR, features a deep windscreen further accentuated by a the low-slung swage line that begins at the A-pillars and dips lower than the

SRs we inspected, the trim selected by the operators further enhanced the sense of space.

It is no wonder the Tempo SR was awarded a Queens Award for Design.

trio of halogen headlights at each front corner of the body.

This is an optical illusion, of course, as the

Super Superstructure

front fascia actually is square finished but the gloss-black panel that carries the name ‘Optare’ is part of that panel.

monocoque in its final form.

This construction of the ‘cage’ is outsourced to a specialist fabrication shop, Sherburn Metalwork, conveniently located around the corner from Optare and is made of a combination of high-grade carbon steel and where in the case of secondary load bearing areas - stainless steel is used. When completed the frame undergoes a complete anti-corrosion treatment plus an injected wax process for sealed or closed sections of the frame. It has

The Tempo SR and the Solo SR are both built in a modular fashion. Unlike all other buses

a 10-year guarantee against corrosion and a 25-year design life.

Once completed the superstructure is

on today’s market there is no ladder-frame chassis, but instead a hand-built ‘cage’ that is

transported to Optare, where construction of the bus begins.

Once skinned and with end caps in place this bus is ready for the paint shop.

Painted and ready for final fit-out.

Colourful for sure!

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1 1 Engine and transmission are cradle mounted 2 3 4 5

for ease of repair and removal.

Optare interiors are bright and welcoming.

Ever seen a brown Cummins? You have now!

Workers complete frame construction Buses in varying stages of construction at Optare HQ

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As is shown in the pictures here, the chassis and body superstructure is one complete unit with the front suspension and axle assembly installed complete and the rear similarly.

Further setting the Tempo SR and Solo SR apart is the unique method of engine and gearbox installation.

Rather than fit them individually they are installed in a dedicated cradle assembly and then, get this, that cradle with engine is

and uses SCR to do so.

In Tempo SR’s of 10.5, 11.8 and 12.5 metres customers can opt for the 8.9-litre Cummins ISL rated at 240kW and 1450Nm. The Allison T310R five-speed automatic with an integral retarder and an electronic interface with a lock-up torque convertor in gears 3,

installed into the bus! This not only makes for a hassle-free installation during the build process, but the cradle’s relatively simple

A ZF transmission, the ZF6HP500 six-speed, is also offered as an option.

The Tempo SR comes equipped with a

removal makes servicing an easier, safer and more efficient process than it would be by having mechanics work in confined and

220-litre fuel tank and a 21-litre AdBlue tank.

The electrical system is 24-volt comprising a pair of 12-volt, 135-amp batteries.

difficult spaces if the drivetrain was to remain in situ.

The Solo SR uses a 4.25-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged M-B engine, the OM904LA, in

Power Trains Optare has selected wisely with the choice of

buses of 7m and 7.8m and it too meets Euro 5 by way of selective catalytic reduction.

Rated at 115kW at 2200rpm and 610Nm at

drive assemblies in each of their products.

Both the Solo SR and the Tempo SR use either a Mercedes-Benz or Cummins engine,

1200rpm it also relies on an Allison 2100 Series transmission. The Solo SR is also available with the 6.7-litre Cummins ISBe, six-cylinder

depending on the length of the bus.

Being the larger of the two, the Tempo SR has a 6.37-litre M-B OM906LA six-cylinder

turbo diesel rated at 150kW and 750Nm in the 9m and 9.9m models. Again, engine choice for Australia is up to the customer.

rated at 210kW at 2200rpm and 1120Nm between 1200 and 1600rpm. It meets Euro 5

With an engine and transmission combination of such high pedigree you can safely conclude

4 and 5 also has what Allison call ‘RELS’, reduced engine load at stop, for improved fuel economy is available across the range.

SOLO SR SPECS

5 3

4

“…exclusive and unfettered access to the Optare factory.” the front and rear axles, suspension and braking system are of the same standard.

For Solo SR the front axle comes from Albion and uses two airbags with taper leaf springs.

The rear end is an Albion single-reduction hypoid equipped with 4.10:1 gears on a fourbag air suspension and parallel linkage.

The disc brake system is an ABS-equipped Wabco PAN17 dual-circuit set-up with a heated element air dryer.

The Tempo SR uses an MAN drop centre beam while the rear is a Meritor singlereduction hypoid with a 5.29:1 gear set. Like the Solo SR it uses a dual-circuit disc braking system, ABS and air dryer.

Body Beautiful The outer skin of the Tempo SR and Solo SR is a combination of aluminium side panels and highgrade GRP three-piece front and rear end caps, which allow for easy replacement when required.

The lightweight and non-corrosive aluminium side panels are fixed by way of a slotted extrusion along the top edge and then fixed along the bottom edge with quick-release fasteners. Simple in theory, it is an incredibly efficient method both for the initial construction and for the replacement of damaged sections, which should elate operators.

MODEL: Optare Solo SR ENGINES: Mercedes-Benz OM904LA Euro 5, Cummins ISB 6.7L, M-B Power: 95kW/115kW*, M-B Torque: 500Nm/610Nm* * power variation dependent on bus length, ISB Power: 150kW, ISB Torque: 750Nm TRANSMISSION: Allison 2100 series, five-speed, full CAN interface, lock-up TC in gears 3/4/5.

RETARDER: Electro-magnetic with pulse width modulation (PWM), CAN Bus interface with Multiplexed control.

FUEL: 200 Litres, 20L SCR tank SUSPENSION: Front: Albion axle, two airbag, taper leaf, Rear: Albion single reduction hypoid, 4.10:1 WHEELS: 17.5x6.75-inch x 134mm off-set TYRES: 215/75R STEERING: ZF 8090 with integral power assist, adjustable steering column BRAKES: Wabco PAN17 dual circuit, ABS, air dryer ELECTRICS: Twin 12V, 135ah batteries LIGHTING: LED and halogen COMPLIANCE: ADR, ECE-STA and DDA LENGTH: 7.2m, 7.9m, 9.0m, 9.7m MAX SEATING: 23, 27, 33, 37

The Inside Story The interior, like the exterior design and construction, is one of simplicity and practicality. All side trim panels are manufactured from hard-wearing and resilient ABS thermoplastic and extend from the base of the windows to the floor. Rather than finish at a right angle and thereby create a 90-degree corner, however, the moulding is curved - allowing for liquids to be carried away from the wall/floor, making cleaning easy and also eliminating seepage from liquids into the superstructure.

When it comes to the interior design, layout, fabrics and colours it is entirely up to the customer. From basic materials to jazzy colours, cloth and leather can be ordered to fit with your fleet or requirements. We saw vivid greens, mauves combined with yellow grab handles and posts (not to our liking!) along with subtle and classy reds, blues and other pastel colours.

The result of the English and European penchant for showing creativity with colour combinations were interiors that were inviting, calming and fun to be in. And you can’t say that about most city buses in this country!

TEMPO SR SPECS MODEL: Optare Tempo SR ENGINE: Mercedes-Benz OM906LA, Cummins ISL 9-liter, M-B Power: 210kW, M-B Torque: 1120Nm, ISL Power: 240kW, ISL Torque: 1450Nm TRANSMISSION: Allison T310R, five-speed, lock-up TC in gears 3/4/5.

FUEL: 220 litres, 21L SCR tank SUSPENSION: Front: MAN drop centre axle Rear: Meritor single reduction hypoid, 5.29:1 WHEELS: 22.5x8.25-inch, 10-stud TYRES: 275/70R STEERING: ZF 8098 with integral power assist, adjustable tilt/reach steering column BRAKES: Dual circuit discs, ABS, air dryer ELECTRICS: Multiplex, twin 12V, 135ah batteries LIGHTING: LED and halogen COMPLIANCE: ADR, ECE-STA and DDA LENGTH: 10.6m, 11.3m, 12.5m MAX SEATING: 35, 39, 47

www.truckandbus.net.au 025

Intelligent Eco Dash If you think the design and construction of the Optare product is impressive then ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’.

For Australia, the Tempo SR and Solo SR will feature - as standard – a Multiplex system with both onboard and remote diagnostics.

This systems works via Optare’s ‘Eco Dash’, which is the central information source for what the system is doing and is monitored by the driver. Additionally, that same information plus a zillion other facts and pieces of data can be accessed remotely – at the depot or anywhere for that matter - 24/7 via GPRS and

In Brief Optare, based in Leeds, UK, is owned by Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group of India, which took control of Optare in 2012.

Ashok Leyland is one of the top five bus builders in the world.

Optare was established in 1985 and has built more than 10,000 buses in that time.

It sells its buses - the Solo, Versa, Metro City and the Tempo,

plus variations including hybrid and EV- to a number of countries throughout Europe and also to South Africa.

For Australia, the Solo SR and the Tempo SR will be sold here. EV and Hybrid will also be made available as required, according to Optare.

The company behind Optare also has the distribution for Irizar in Oceania, importers for many years

an internet-enabled computer.

We’ve seen a full demonstration of this system (which will appear in our next issue)

of coaches made in South America by the Spanish company. It is being headed up by former UD trucks and Higer executive, Shannon Taylor.

Optare’s UK plant sits on an economical 140,000 square feet in the semi-rural town of Sherburn, in Elmet, just a few miles from the once bustling industrial city of Leeds and has an annual production capacity of 1500 units per year.

and are amazed at what information it can provide: from remote diagnostics where the depot is alerted to a fault by email or an SMS be it a broken blinker globe to something more serious to passenger counting, communication, live CCTV via factory-mounted cameras on each bus and telematics. Further, it controls and monitors a range of electrical function within the bus including external lighting, switch panels, message centre, air-conditioning, kneeling function and much, much more.

But like the guy who used to sell steak knives on the telly says – wait, there’s more! Parallel with Eco Dash is Eco Drive and Eco-Fleet, which targets inefficiencies in fuel economy, driver performance and vehicle dynamics that all combine to give the bus operator the absolute detailed information on how each bus and driver is performing and the mechnical condition of the bus at all times.

In relation to the driver the operations manager can analyse the driver’s performance over the whole route, entire shift, or at various points of the route and then take steps to eliminate bad habits resulting in poor fuel economy, tyre and brake wear and general control of the bus.

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First appearance at BAV come and check it out.

MODEL: 6120AS • Cummins ISL 8.9L E5 320HP • ZF auto 6HP ecolife with intergraded retarder • ZF steering

• ZF front independent axle, ZF rear axle • 57 ADR68 complied seat belted seats as standard • Extended length (13m version) as option

King Long 57 Seater School/Charter Bus

Pre - launch price for delivery before 30th Sept 2013 Please visit

www.kinglong.com.au for more information

ABC-HVA-0613-SD

Call or email us for further in formation VIC, TAS & NSW

SA, WA & QLD

Stephen Long m. 0409 488 834 e. stephen@hvagroup.com.au

Graham Weekley m. 0417 160 483 e. graham@hvagroup.com.au

Anthony Fisicaro

National Sales manager m. 0400 968 106 e. anthony@hvagroup.com.au

130-132 Freight Drive Somerton VIC Australia 3062 t. (03) 9305 2299 f. (03) 8339 0265 e. info@hvagroup.com.au

Sneak Peek

Photography: Fabian Cotter

China Grove

A key annual event for a select industry few, the 7th Annual BCI Bus Operator Tour saw new models launched and gave a behind-the-scenes look at how an Aussie company does business in China. Fabian Cotter reports.

F

amished just before the dinner at the 2012 BusVic Maintenance Show and Conference last year, there’s not

unceremoniously into my chin, nose, or cheeks.

The video looked quite swish and fancy, and perhaps disturbingly too much so given

much that usually distracts me from quickly devouring a delicious dish served up in front. However, a promo video from

admittedly unfounded pre-conceptions about how large factories in China or any ‘Communist’ or ex-Eastern Bloc country, for

Perth-based lunch sponsor Bus and Coach International (BCI) of that year’s Bus Operator Tour somehow mesmerised my focus to the big screen ahead - while trying to shovel spoonfuls of food down my gob without them crashing

that matter, would look, sound, smell and feel.

Yet the BCI state-of-the-art factory for all the world resembled a modern and well-thoughtout assembly plant befitting the standards and status of any top manufacturing nation in the

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www.truckandbus.net.au 029

world, from what I could tell on screen. Fast forward near 12 months later and this would

“We pride ourselves on being an innovator and this event is a great opportunity to

painting, chassis attachment, storage areas, hoop parts and wiring-harness making, ADR-

be confirmed after being cordially invited by BCI this year to come and have a good sniff around the place.

It was an offer I couldn’t refuse as I’d never

showcase the new product to our existing customers, as well as the BCI wares to prospective customers,” said Ron Nazzari, chairman of BCI, speaking at the relatively

standards testing, pre-delivery and any final fit and finish work.

It was as intriguing as it was enlightening as to how a ‘foreign’ outfit does work in

been to mainland China before and, quite frankly, it’s never been on my bucket list of places to see and do. In other words, I’m not sure I could have been bothered getting there

new factory, whose manufacturing arm is now mostly owned by Weichai Power – a leading Chinese manufacturer of heavy-duty drivetrain systems that recently signed a four-year

China, by basically forming an alliance with an established Chinese company – the only legal way to do it there. And while that might sound like a logistical but ill-fitting

otherwise. Yet perhaps more importantly, I found it fascinating how an Australian firm goes about its everyday business in

contract to sponsor Ferrari F1.

Situated in the south Chinese coastal island city of Xiamen (pronounced Zha-min) within a

match-up potentially given cultural and regulations differences, the Australian-based BCI collective seemingly has mastered the

association with a foreign company that seemingly produces quality product ending all the way back up in Australia, among other

special economic zone, Fengtai Bus & Coach International Co. Ltd (FTBCI) is where the magic happens, as Nazzari might say. The

communication and production process over there to facilitate the making of quality bus and coach stuff. Now, that is…

worldwide markets like New Zealand, America, Canada and throughout South-East Asia.

And to that end, I set off to partake in the 2013 BCI Factory Tour with eyes wide open like some pimply faced 18-year-old

facility is huge by average Aussie standards, though probably average by Chinese standards in terms of size, but one thing it appeared to be during the trip is immaculate, well-ordered and structured, and proficient in

A few conversations with some of the operators on the trip revealed earlier production plants were not as efficient as this modern facility and that any minor quality issues earlier have thankfully been ironed

backpacker – albeit with a slightly wider girth these days - ready to take on the world.

delivering quality bus bodies made through various stages of frame construction, booth

out over the past few years. So onward and upward for BCI it appears.

1

2

1 Operators checking out what’s what.

2 Crown Coaches, Victoria, managing

Adam’s Ant “This was my sixth tour to China and my third with BCI,” said Adam Barnard, managing director of GoAdams (Group) incorporating Australian Pinnacle Tours, in Western Australia.

“The previous visit was in 2010 to the old factory in Nanchang, so this was the first to the new factory in Xiamen. The new factory presents exceptionally well. BCI and the team, as always, did an exceptional job of looking after us and we managed to see some of the many improvements being made to the everincreasing BCI range,” he explained.

“The quality control improvements are immense, starting with the parts and

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following into the production line, so BCI should be very proud of their achievements in relation to quality control.

“If I was to lodge a request [for next time], I reckon we need to locate a steakhouse for a dinner mid-tour, so if that’s my only negative feedback then I think the BCI team can be proud of another excellent show.”

“The product range was great and I commend the Mercedes-Benz/BCI combination as a potential game changer for school/charter application. We had, only two weeks before the trip, purchased two BCI Fleetmasters for mine-site operation, so it was great to be able to see some of these units

Adam Barnard

director Victor Haoust shows off the Gobel wheelchair lift on his new bus.

mid-construction to get a feel for the build quality. The Fleetmasters will operate in some pretty harsh environments, so it’s important that they can withstand some pretty harsh extremes. In December 2012 we acquired Australian Pinnacle Tours, which operate MAN 13.280 4x4 vehicles with a Coach Design body, so I was particularly interested in the 4x4 RAV modules as we will shortly be looking into replacement options for some of the 4WD fleet. The RAV modules appear to be more than adequate for the task and the construction quality appears to be on par with an Australian-built unit,” Barnard explained.

So what was the highlight of the trip?

“Ha! Well, apart from the fantastic dinners and the factory visit the highlight has to be my unscheduled (thanks to Michelle Nazzari for accommodating this) overnight adventure in Macau with the awesome and very dedicated Armando “The Commando” Baylon from Mercedes-Benz, WA. I don’t think I will go into the details other than to say it was an incredible night and a not so incredible flight home the next day.

“If I can make a suggestion for next year, visit Macau – just a quick 45-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong airport and you’ll have the best shopping, nightlife and food experience I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.”

Australian bus + coach show 2 0 1 3 S Y D N E Y

S H O W G R O U N D

25th & 26th September 2013

See the latest at the largest Australian Bus & Coach Show ever!

Dates

If buses are your business you simply can’t afford to miss the 2013 Australian Bus & Coach Show at its new home, Sydney Showground.

Venue

• Free entry to exhibition • Over $50m worth of buses and coaches on display in one indoor area • 100+ exhibition booths displaying products, services and tourism information • Free technical and operational workshops • Social functions to network with industry professionals

For online visitor and social event registration please visit

www.busshow.com.au

Wednesday 25th September Thursday 26th September The Dome & Halls Sydney Showground Sydney Olympic Park proudly supported by

for NSW

NO BULL!

2 1 3

The tour gave all a good look around and a chance to go down under.

New Proma launched. A tighter turning circle, aimed at aged-car market.

Canadian-market Midi-bus looked really cool. An Oz version due soon, maybe?

Just one of many tests at the BCI Factory.

1 2 3 4

Peter Bull

4

“This was my second factory tour,” said Peter Bull, director of Naracoorte Bus Service, South Australia. “Last tour we went to Nanchang [factory].”

“This new factory is technically advanced and is capable of more precise assembly, from what I could see. The productivity and involvement of newer front ends from ZF and steering boxes are a great improvement over the original I-beam front end. The incorporation of TRACS for the airconditioning systems means we have good service and back-up in Australia.”

“We test drove the new Proma with the independent front end and we were extremely impressed with the tight turning cycle.”

“Basically, we came along to meet other operators from around Australia and to meet Ron Nazzari,” Bull said.

And that’s no random thing as its support structure of suppliers includes some of the top brands in the global bus industry, like Mercedes-Benz, Cummins, ZF and TRACS air-conditioning to name a few.

Highlighting the workshops and

760Nm@1400-1800rpm, as claimed. Allison’s T270R six-speed automatic with retarder adds to the driveline, while ZF’s 8090 takes care of power steering.

The independent front suspension (IFS) axles are rated at 4500kg, while the full

Nazzari was confident about how the new Proma will do in terms of Australia sales in the tailored market, stating it was better than its competitors because: “It’s been designed for four wheelchair positions in the lower deck, and is flexible in seating arrangements. We

demonstrations the tour group received – including a display of how strong a BCI bus fibreglass panel was by one bus operator

floating rear is rated at 8000kg. The air suspension comprises 2+4 bellows and the bus can ‘curtsey’ (read: kneel) on demand,

can put in it up to 29 seats. For aged care [usage] there’s no need for lifts because of the low floor. It’s very manoeuvrable,” he said.

invited to beat the heck out of it with a mallet of sorts (no discernible damage could I feel or see, nor behind the impact zone either I

and there’s front and rear swaybars adding to on-road stability.

Other specs include: Wabco ABS, a dual-

“There’s nothing on [the] market in an 8m bus in ultra-low floor, and it’s very price competitive compared to other vehicles that

checked cheekily as the group moved on ahead) – was the launch of some new models.

Ron Nazzari was quite chuffed to unveil the new BCI 8.6m Proma low-floor, wheelchairaccessible, bus with ultra-tight 14.4m turning

circuit air system and disc brakes; steel (polished alloys optional) 6.75x19.5-inch wheels in 245/70R/19.5 Chinese-made Double Coin tyres; Australian-standard Supagal steel frame for the chassis and body; fibreglass

aren’t even low floors in the same size seating.

“It’s on display with test drives available at the Melbourne show,” Nazzari added. Since entering the Australian market in 2008, more than 250 Promas have been supplied to

circle. It’s intended for aged care or smaller urban feeder services. Seating 29 passengers, it’s touted as ideal for manoeuvring in

front and rear header panels, one-piece fibreglass roof, fibreglass stretch panels and aluminium lower skirt panelling.

Australian and New Zealand operators.

The 7th Annual BCI Factory Operator Tour was also to formally launch and showcase

small spaces thanks to that tight turning circle (it certainly felt that way in driving demonstrations) and narrow body.

Of specific interest to the aged care market, the Proma fits 28 passengers in metro-style seats, or 29 with three-point safety belt seats

the Remote Access Vehicle line, with Nazzari stating: “R.A.V. is performing well in the mining sector because its team has the ability to offer

It runs a Cummins Euro5 4.5-litre ISB4.5E5 207 four-cylinder, water-cooled and directinjection intercooled-turbo diesel engine

that comply with ADR 68. The lower deck can fit up to four wheelchairs, if required. Air conditioning gets sorted via a Kingtec KT-II-D

a superior product to what is on offer at a competitive price.”

He added: “We made a decision not to

– pumping out 152kW@2300rpm and

heat-cool system with Bitzer compressor.

build our own (BCI) 4x4 chassis because it’s

032 www.truckandbus.net.au

a special market and we would rather the

Brewing company. No scorpions or roaches

longstanding reliability of the German and Japanese products available.”

Other wares on display during the tour

we eaten at the night-time Weird and Wild Food Market thankfully, though I heard more than a few people loved hard-core haggling

included a funky low-floor-type midi-bus for the Canadian market and the European wheelchair lifts by Spanish company Gobel, of

instead for an awesome bargain in another market for shoes, leather belts, bags or ‘genuine’ watches.

which Nazzari’s a big fan.

“We have a close relationship with Gobel and they’re doing all wheelchair lifts that we

And just so you know, there’s a lot of seafood to be had in China, so perhaps avoid the prawns, oysters and even supermarket

fit. It’s compact so therefore more flexibility in the height. We can mount the lift from [the] ground and this gives greater scope to minimise loss of bin space. This makes it excellent for installation. The quality also very

fish fingers big time for about six weeks before leaving Oz - it’s a long story…

By the end of the tour those operators that had never really seen how BCI functions nor had much to do with its products in the past

high,” he explained.

And with bus and coach air conditioning support in Australia now by TRACS, Nazzari

were able to glean a good insight into what the company is all about, from what one could gather, while those who’d done Tours before

says it’s further cemented the relationship in terms of the support BCI’s customers receive.

With the Factory Tour completed after a few days, the remaining time is used to usher Operators around to a few cool touristy sites in the local area and some further afield. This time these included historic Kinmen Island, Taiwan and north to Qingdao city – home to the famous German-influenced Tsingdao Beer

or were regular customers seemingly walked away assured that what they were buying was being built right.

How many sales these tours translate into exactly each year few will ever really know, but for now it seems as a public relations tool at least it does its best to earn BCI new business and win their hearts and minds by showcasing the latest product.

XIAMEN GET IT! BCI jointly invested USD$200 million to set up its new venture in Xiamen city, in East China’s Fujian province. The main Xiamen factory was constructed between November 2010 and February 2011, which is an awesomely fast achievement. The company costs nearly AUD$800,000 a month to run, it’s claimed. The Xiamen facility has capacity for more than 100 buses in build at a time.

The need for improved production capacity and a desire for greater quality control served as the catalysts, but BCI saw this [new factory] as an opportunity to capitalise on some of its key objectives - strategic global positioning, improved logistics, and significant advantages in terms of parts supply and alternatives for more refined manufacturing processes, it’s claimed.

The Xiamen factory also houses BCIs new research and development facility, which allows the contingent of Australian engineers and onsite quality control managers to further improve on current products, and develop new vehicles to meet market requirements, BCI says.

BCI chairman Ron Nazzari outside the factory in China with the new Proma.

www.truckandbus.net.au 033

Future Proof

Plug ’n’Play

Historic carbon dioxide levels in the Earth’s atmosphere means the sooner zero-to-lower-emission buses get the nod globally the better, or so many would think.Volvo’s lastest plug-in Hybrid brings that goal one step closer. Fabian Cotter reports.

034 www.truckandbus.net.au

www.truckandbus.net.au 035

1 The latest plug-in hybrid has an interior to

match its technological credentials.

2 It pays to advertise? There’s no mistaking

what this bus is on about.

E

ver heard of Pleistocene? Me neither and, no, it’s not the stuff kids

Norris, a Scripps Institution of Oceanography geologist - so he’d know.

mould into crazy shapes and make animals with - that’d be Plasticine.

Pleistocene, in case you didn’t know, refers to the Pleistocene Epoch, a period in history

What’s that got to do with now? Try everything – we’ve just gone past 400 parts per million for the first time since then, but most disturbingly experts say is the rate at

1

when science types say was the last time the Earth’s atmosphere had more than 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in it. Carbon dioxide being the stuff trees need to breathe

which this has been achieved. And that’s why cleaner public transport advancements, like Volvo latest Plug-in Hybrid buses doing the test rounds in Sweden, are doing their bit to

2

in, not us. Hmm… Trees, remember them?

Okay, they’re still around, but seriously … it’s seemingly getting that way.

start humanity’s apparent anticipated bail-out.

Touted as ‘tomorrow’s bus already here’, the silent, cleaner and with dramatically lower fuel

So when was the Pleistocene Epoch? Try 2.5 million years ago – no TV back then. No cricket, no beer, Tim Tams were no existent

consumption Volvo plug-in hybrid buses hit the streets of Gothenburg, Sweden, recently last May as part of a field test. The innovative

– yep, life pretty much would have sucked as far as I’m concerned. But anyway, during the Pleistocene Epoch it’s claimed the average Earth temperatures rose as much as 18 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 10 degrees Celsius. And that’s the difference between a 30-degree awesome Aussie BBQ and beach day out compared with a 40-degree ‘Oh my God I’m dying here, air-con please Mr Music’ scorcher. Sea levels ranged 16-131 feet higher than current levels, according to Richard

technology aims to reduce fuel consumption by a full 75 (up to 80) per cent compared with current diesel buses. And that means less nasties going off into the atmosphere. The total energy consumption will be reduced by approximately 60 per cent, claims Volvo Buses aficionados.

“Västtrafik has high environmental targets.

By 2025, 95 per cent of our traffic is to be carried out using non-fossil fuels and at the same time energy efficiency is to increase.

High Hopes Since Volvo Buses sold its first hybrid bus four years ago, the technology has proved to be reliable, Volvo Buses claims. Operational safety is as high as for conventional diesel-driven vehicles. The technology has continuously been developed to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Today’s Volvo 7900 Hybrid has 39 per cent lower fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions than a corresponding diesel bus.

The introduction of a new engine for Euro 6 allows for fuel consumption to be reduced by up to 45 per cent, emissions of nitrogen oxide and particles will also be reduced by 87 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively, compared with Euro 5.

From 2014, all Volvo single-decker buses with low floors for Europe will be hybrids. Plus there’s Volvo 7900 Articulated Hybrid bus, with capacity

054 www.truckandbus.net.au

for 154 passengers. This bus - equipped with Volvo’s new 5-litre 240hp diesel engine and approved for Euro 6 - will match customers’ requirements for high capacity combined with low fuel consumption, low emissions and low noise levels, it’s claimed.

“Many European cities have requested buses that combine high capacity with low fuel consumption and low environmental impact.

With the Volvo 7900 Articulated Hybrid bus, we will meet customers’ requirements with a solution that will also fulfil the high demand on operational safety and reliability,” said Johnny Lidman, product

manager Europe, Volvo Buses.

Volvo Buses’s plug-in hybrid, though which can be charged via the electricity grid at bus terminuses - will facilitate operation over longer distances using clean and quiet electricity, reducing energy consumption by up to 60 per cent and emissions of carbon dioxide by at least 80 per cent. The plug-in hybrid is being evaluated in traffic in Gothenburg over a two-year period. Serial production is scheduled for 2015.

Volvo’s latest plug-in hybrid bus doing the rounds in Sweden.

Together with Volvo and several other partners, we have had the chance to develop

Göteborg Energi, Business Region Göteborg, Trafikkontoret and Västtrafik. The project is

a technology that significantly reduces both emissions and energy use, something which we are proud of,” said Lars Backström, managing director at Västtrafik, public

partly financed by Life+, the EU’s financing programme for environmental projects.

More than 1000 examples of the Volvo 7900 Hybrid have been sold to 21 countries. Volvo’s

transport company of Gothenburg.

“In recent years, sales of Volvo Buses’ hybrid buses have tripled for each year and we believe the market for ‘electromobility’

hybrid buses also operate in South America and the first Volvo hybrid was recently sold in Australia. Earlier in the spring, Volvo Buses’

will continue to expand rapidly. Accordingly, the Volvo Group is investing in this area, making it possible for cities to realize their visions of more eco-friendly and attractive transportation,” said Håkan Karlsson, president of Volvo Bus Corporation.

The purpose of the Swedish field test is to study and verify the anticipated reductions in energy consumption and emissions, as well as to compile information from drivers, passengers and surrounding residents about their views on the properties of the bus, states Volvo Bus. The company also expects to be able to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 90 per cent by using biodiesel instead of standard, fossil diesel oil in the combustion engine. Very interesting.

The plug-in hybrids are based on the Volvo 7900 Hybrid. The plug-in hybrids have been further developed, and enable recharging from electricity grids via a collector installed on the roof. The plug-in buses have a larger battery package, making it possible to drive up to 70 per cent of the distance, approximately 7km at a time, quietly and free from emissions, using electricity. The batteries are charged at the bus terminus for between six and 10 minutes, it’s claimed.

Volvo Buses expects to commence commercial manufacturing of plug-in hybrids in a couple of years, and the technology is now being tested in the three buses put into service in Gothenburg. A demonstration project has also been planned for 2014 involving eight plug-in hybrids in Stockholm.

Perhaps cleverly for now, should an operator have the need to put the bus in operation on a line with no charging stations, the plug-in hybrid will function exactly as current hybrid buses. In other words, the customer who wants to invest in the plug-in technology is able to do so without having access to a fully developed network of charging stations.

Volvo Buses participates in the plug-inhybrid project in Gothenburg, in addition to

038 www.truckandbus.net.au

North American subsidiary, Nova Bus, secured an order for 475 hybrid buses for Quebec in Canada. In China, Volvo’s partner Sunwin Bus is leading in electrically driven large buses, it’s claimed, with a market share of approximately 40 per cent. During 2012, more than 400 fully electric buses were delivered.

“…recharging from electricity grids via a collector installed on the roof.”

PLUG-IN HYBRID The bus is equipped with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. It also has a 5-litre diesel engine.

Charging is done from electricity grids via a collector installed on the roof of the bus. It takes 6-10 minutes.

The bus will run approximately 7km at a time on electricity only – silent and emission-free.

At the heart of the matter. As a hybrid it’s ‘a little country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll’, perhaps?

www.truckandbus.net.au 039

Operator

Photography: David Meredith

GoAdams!

One of the real movers and shakers of the West Australian bus and coach transport scene, the Adams Group incorporating Australian Pinnacle Tours has solidly entrenched itself into the booming mining market and beyond. David Meredith reports.

www.truckandbus.net.au 041

1

I

t’s 5:00am in Perth, Western Australia, and the morning peak hour has started.

2

generous spread of five and a half hectares of bitumen, with a further six hectares of

passengers that aren’t snoring to keep in touch with loved ones and remind spouses to

Not on the roads, though, but at the chaotic airport where dozens of flights are loading up mobs of fluoro shirts to compete for take-off slots.

hardstand for overflow. It’s planned ahead for many years to come. Office facilities, service bays and a bus wash bay have been purpose built for the growing transport group, and

mow the lawns while they’re away.

A higher spec fit-out will also be included on newer coaches that will start arriving soon from Brazil, where Irizar i6 bodies are being

But some remote workplaces aren’t quite remote enough for a flight, apart from being too small for an airstrip…

In the northern suburb of Malaga,

further expansion of facilities on the site is being considered to meet a demand that just keeps on growing.

The Westonia trip is an easy one – east

fitted to Volvo B9R and B11R chassis. The choice of the Volvo/Irizar mix was the result of a process that started with an industry-wide tender invitation. Adams got 12 responses,

under giant powerline gantries that carry Perth’s major electricity feed, there’s a buzz of activity at Adams Coachlines, as site personnel board coaches for the 311-kilometre trip to Westonia and various other mine sites too close for aircraft, but much too far for a daily commute.

The Adams operation is based on a

on the Reid Highway, left on Great Eastern Highway, and just over three hours later, about 40km past Merredin, left for the short run to the site. It’s easy on the passengers as well, which is key.

Adams coaches are late-model, semi-luxury fit-outs that will soon feature on-board Wi-Fi and USB ports to each seat, allowing the

which were all assessed on the basis of value for money, suitability to task, quality and driver/passenger comfort. Price was a factor, but according to general manager Shane Ballingall it only counted for around 30 per cent of the decision.

The new units will be applied to a growing demand in WA for high-end touring coaches

“…keep in touch with loved ones; remind spouses to mow the lawns.”

Adams tapped into the mining-market boom and specialises in transporting mining personnel for daily work.

042 www.truckandbus.net.au

1 For the Adams Group it’s all

about the service. Just ask them!

2 Forward thinking? Adams has diligently planned for the future, with space used well.

3 Adams managing director Adam Barnard and the crew - ready for battle.

- particularly the Pinnacles Tours operation acquired last December - and some rapidly growing corporate work, as well. All the new units are standardised bodies.

Pinnacles was a family operation that was very successfully built into a leader in WA tourism. The business was sold to a multinational group, but it didn’t have the expertise for large-group touring that was crucial to ongoing growth. Tied to a dramatic downturn in tourist numbers post GFC, it was a prime candidate for an on-the-ground manager who could apply economies of scale, connect with experienced operators and work the market back into shape.

Since the deal went through on December 2012, the business is well on the way to recovering its market share and expanding

3

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into new markets.

Adam Barnard, managing director, has

Barnard and his team.

The GFC didn’t really bring any negatives

retained the Pinnacles branding as it is so well known in the Perth hotel scene. Although group management and operations are based at Malaga, the Pinnacles arm has an office at

to the business until around 2010, when schools were cutting back on budgets and tourism died an unnatural death due to the unexpected convergence of an accelerating

the Barrack Street Jetty, the hub of Perth city tourism where buses and coaches meet Swan River cruises and Rottnest ferries to exchange

enjoying work as a tour operator following his discharge from the Australian Army. The benchmarks of growth were spurred by

mining and construction sector, and extreme shortages in Perth rental housing.

Within months a critical shortage of rooms

customers daily.

However, there’s no doubt that the coach business is the core of the Adams group.

contracts and acquisitions, starting in 2007 with a long-term deal for the Boddington Gold Mine expansion, which took nine coaches

developed in Perth hotels. Mining companies were block-booking rooms for months ahead, squeezing out the tour operators

As a result, Barnard has sold his entire bus fleet so he and his people can concentrate on expansion into the range of contractual opportunities that are developing, as well as building the coach sector.

on daily loops south seven days per week to keep the workforce going. It was the peak of the boom and the tourist industry was imitating the mining sector. Swan Gold Tours came on board in January 2008, which

who were selling packaged holidays to Asian holidaymakers.

The only remedy for the tourist industry carnage was to direct the group’s marketing activity to the section of the business that

Barnard kicked off the business in September 2005 with a solitary coach, after

brought an additional 10 buses into the group and locked in a dominant market position for

retained healthy growth prospects, and the fleet has grown on the back of that.

“Pinnacles was very successfully built into a leader in WA tourism.”

British ‘80s pop band Spandau Ballet might have sung about ‘Gold’, but the Adams mob has it pretty sorted, as well, thanks to its luxurycoach travel services.

044 www.truckandbus.net.au

A new journey Our commitment to your future Custom is focused on exceeding your expectations through a strengthened commitment to quality, reliability and service for the life of your vehicle. We look forward to sharing the journey with you.

custombus.com.au | 02 9914 3800

QLD XXXX XXXX NSW XXXX XXXX VIC XXXX XXXX NT/SA/TAS/WA XXXX XXXX

AN ALEXANDER DENNIS COMPANY

With every Higer bus comes Higer confidence.

At Higer, we stand behind our product. Once you purchase one of our vehicles you’ll have the confidence and security of a solid support team. We believe it’s our job to ensure you, like your passengers, enjoy your journey with Higer.

Backed by a 2 year bumper to bumper 100 km warranty*.

Outstanding customer service and around the clock support for you and your business.

The national Higer dealer network is continually growing, so wherever you are in Australia, Higer has you covered.

It all adds up to a total cost of ownership which has made Higer one of Australia’s top selling brands.

New South Wales Dealers:

Queensland Dealers:

South Australian Dealers:

Adtrans Smeaton Grange T 02 4655 5755 Newcastle Commercial Vehicles T 02 4974 7800 South Coast Truck & Bus Albion Park T 02 4256 7190 Thomas Brothers Wagga Wagga T 02 6926 0102 West Orange Motors Orange T 02 6361 1000

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Victorian Dealers:

Western Australian Dealers: WA Higer Welshpool T 08 6365 2954 Tasmanian Dealers: Tasmanian Truck & Bus Launceston T 03 6335 9166

Prestige Trucks Buses Vans Dandenong South T 03 9212 5588 HIGER - Melbourne Laverton North T 03 9931 6500 Blacklocks Wodonga T 02 6057 8777

* See your dealer for full details.

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Spotlight On

60mins with...

Clint Feuerherdt Transit Systems CEO

One of Australia’s larger and more respected bus and ferry operators, Transit Systems has a fully trained and experienced workforce that provides innovative solutions to bus planning problems and ferry operations. Recently, the 100 per cent Australian-owned company expanded into England. Fabian Cotter caught up with CEO Clint Feuerherdt. www.truckandbus.net.au 047

Q

Hello, Clint. Please tell us a little bit about your background and

how you got to your position of CEO. If you had the chance to do something differently in arriving at this same spot, what would you do and why?

CF “Ah retrospect – a fun place to start! Hi, Fabian, and thanks for the opportunity to share the Transit Systems story. My career history includes time as a mergers and acquisitions investment banker, working with global investment banks JPMorgan and Investec.

I spent a lot of my time focusing on private equity and transport infrastructure transactions and while I really enjoyed the strategic thinking aspects, I grew to dislike the fact that I was only involved in the advice phase. I never really got a chance to follow through to see if the assumptions made were correct and never had an opportunity to control the integration or the outcome. Transit Systems was one of my clients and I got to know the Directors really well - they offered me the opportunity to join them and lead the group in its next generation pursuing new bus franchising opportunities, new business lines and new markets. I couldn’t be happier that now I get to deliver on my advice and see through the integration to make our strategic decisions a success.

As far as the journey, I think my career path has turned out pretty well. I was CEO at age 34 having already worked closely with CEOs and boards of some of Australia’s largest corporates, so I honestly don’t think I would do too much differently. Although there is actually one thing; when I was younger, I went and got myself an LR licence and in hindsight I should have got a HR licence! That would give me far more credibility when I visit our depots!”

Q. So Transit Systems announced the £21.3 million acquisition of three strategic Londonbased bus depots from FirstGroup plc, recently. Wow, this is a big move. How did this come about? What led up to it?

CF “Yes, this is a huge and exciting step for us.

It certainly wasn’t a random act but rather part of a long-term strategy that we set a few years ago. Three or four years ago we were faced with limited opportunities for expansion in Australia - we were already the market leaders in Perth and Adelaide and the other major cities appeared to be closed to competitive tendering of their metropolitan bus contracts for the foreseeable future. This has obviously changed a bit now but back then there were no signs of Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane

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putting bus contracts out to tender. We looked at opportunities to grow and to do this

be a huge differentiator and I like to think that our attention to detail, passion for innovation

I would hope that our London business will help us continue to deliver innovative

meaningfully we really had to look offshore.

We looked at opportunities in many countries including New Zealand, Africa, Europe and other opportunities in the UK

and our customer service focus will set us apart overseas, as it certainly does here in Australia. Service standards, innovation, passion and experience could certainly be

ideas in Australia and obviously help win new business here and I would like to think that some of the initiatives we have put into practice here will also give us an edge to

and subsequently bid for public transport contracts in the Netherlands.

We learnt so much from this process but were unsuccessful in our bidding. What we

an advantage for other Australian companies thinking about taking an international step.”

expand the London business.”

Q. What was it that attracted you to the

Q. How complicated has it been in terms of meeting UK legal requirements for the

took away from our European experience was a decision that to enter a new market, we had to buy a functioning business and this is

UK market in general, and FirstGroup plc specifically? How were these aspects different from or similar to what’s in Australia,

purchase? Is it a similar situation to what happens in Australia, or are there other unique hurdles to deal with when foreign

where the FirstGroup opportunity made so much sense.

The opportunity that the FirstGroup

and how will that help Transit Systems write new business there in the long run?

CF “We were always attracted to London as

companies try to enter the UK? CF “In a word – complicated. I have been involved with cross-border transactions

business brings is that we are buying a substantial leading public transport operator in the world’s most advanced public transport network and we inherit a lot of the senior people and staff that built this business - this was a key motivator for us.

We hope the combination of knowledge and experiences means we can deliver a refreshing public transport service to London and, indeed, across all of our contracts.”

Q. There’s been a recent trend of UK companies buying out or buying Australian companies. In the retail sector, for example, H+M is now here, and UK gaming stores GAME and CEX took to the Australian market with gusto. Is Transit Systems’ buying into FirstGroup plc the first of other Australian companies to buck the trend? If so, why?

CF “I think so … in a way. We are the only Australian public transport operator to take

a market generally, having admired its worldleading public transport network and realising that it offered us a lot to learn. We looked to buy businesses there before, but the barriers to enter into London are extremely high – basically you need to purchase an established business to get a foot in the door.

We had an existing relationship with Transport for London, which made understanding the contractual environment much easier and the fact that FirstGroup was exiting London altogether was a big factor. FirstGroup is already one of the leading operators in London and the assets we are buying are quite strategically located and there is room for further organic growth. The operating contracts themselves are quite similar to the Australian contracts and, indeed, some Australian states have modelled their system off of the London network. For example, there are many more similarities between

before, but this one was particularly challenging. There are probably fewer restrictions with inbound investment into the UK, such as no Foreign Investment Review Board process or similar, but the cross-border cashflow structuring is challenging. Like Australia, there are a bunch of regulatory processes that we are going through to allow us to operate in the UK, such as becoming an accredited operator, but you also have to factor in the working Visa issues and all the paperwork takes lots of time to set up. It’s also costly to buy a business in another country because you need a lot of external advice, but my recommendation to anyone planning an international acquisition is don’t skimp on good advice. We put together a really strong team of advisers for this transaction and without that local expert advice, it would have been either very risky or impossible to

to the international stage. That’s not to say others haven’t done it in the past, but we

London and Sydney other than the names Transport for London and Transport for New

achieve. The British Consulate has been a great help, pointing us to advisers who can

are probably one of the few who are geared up now to purposefully pursue international expansion. While we see lots of multinational

South Wales.

The big differences are the intensity of the network and operation, the strict performance

assist and making introductions to the right people.”

operators competing for our contracts here in Australia - like Veolia, ComfortDelGro, Serco and Keolis - I think it is great that we can be

criteria, 24-hour operations and sheer size of the depots. Our Lea Interchange depot in London has 200 buses and over 600 drivers.

Q. What information, product and staff resources will be shared between the two companies and countries, or is the rule of

the Australian multinational to fly our flag in other geographies. What we don’t want is to become big and out of control. We pride

It runs many 24-hour services and delivers London’s busiest bus route, Route 25. That one route carries just about as many people

them to mostly keep things separate? How will that be a good thing for Transit Systems – or not?

ourselves on quality service delivery and I think if you get to the scale of some of the other multinationals, then you start to lose that quality service delivery focus.

per year as our entire Perth business. The bus technology is also different, with many hybrid buses and also hydrogen-powered buses.

All buses are real time tracked and controlled

CF “We plan to operate the businesses separately with their own set of infrastructure such as IT systems, accounting and management, but the strength of Transit

We are also a private company, unlike the large listed giants, which means that we can make decisions that favour our customers and employees over our shareholders. When

and, of course, there are no timetables, simply headway spacing. When a Route 25 bus turns up every three minutes, you can see why it becomes a compelling proposition

Systems on the whole is the ability to share knowledge between all of our operations.

I hope to facilitate a system of sharing information, making it possible for job

you service government contracts this can

to use public transport.

exchanges for short- or long-term durations.

www.truckandbus.net.au 049

We are already transferring ideas back to Australia, particularly things like using technology to our maximum advantage and we have already experienced advantages in international purchasing power. We have Australian senior managers on the ground in London helping their UK counterparts set up systems and processes and we are finding that we are able to simplify some processes as we tend to take a very direct and less bureaucratic approach to things in Australia.

I genuinely think both businesses will benefit each other.”

Q. If successful, what percentage of your plans involves company restructure, or does it look like things will remain status quo in the UK at the depots? If not, what needs to change and why?

CF “We are making some changes to the senior management structure, particularly to empower managers to make decisions and to remove the corporate bureaucracy that comes with large international companies, but overall we intend to keep the depots status quo for the time being and deliver services in the same reliable manner that they are already doing. I don’t doubt that with the flat, nimble structure we employ that depot managers will be putting up new ideas to us and we will be able to immediately listen and respond.

We intend to shut the separate head office in the city and move all senior managers into a depot, so that they have a tangible day-today relationship and accountability with the business that they are charged to run. We will always have a director of the business living in London, so that decisions can be made on the spot and our UK colleagues won’t get the feeling that the decisions are made on the other side of the world. We think they will find these changes a positive step.”

Q. How will this buyout affect – for better or worse – Transit Systems’ domestic operations here in Australia? Are you expecting much change and, if so, have you prepared for it?

How so?

CF “London is a very advanced public transport market and we will learn a lot that we can bring back to Australia. This is going to be a huge benefit to allow us to constantly

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improve our operations and come up with innovative ideas to put to Government

Q. Is this the first of many buyouts in the UK for Transit Systems? How will this be a base for

and there is no question that having Tower Transit as part of the Group will benefit our business in Australia. We hope to facilitate employee transfers and secondments, which

further expansion, or is it best to keep things as is and ‘more manageable’?

CF “We are all for keeping things manageable to ensure continued delivery of our high service

will further up-skill our workforce, keep them engaged and attract new employees who want exposure to an international business.

standards and there will be a period of bedding this down before any further acquisitions are considered. However, we chose strategic assets

We do have to make some changes, though, and we already have a few of our Australian senior managers in London, so there has been

within FirstGroup, which had organic expansion potential, so our West London depots have the capacity to allow us to bid for new routes. Once

a bit of a reshuffle of managers here. This in itself is a good thing as it gives up-andcoming managers a chance to step up - but in anticipation we already have a really good depth of management potential in our ranks, so we’re well-prepared.

My workload probably changes a bit, also, so I am very conscious that this change needs to be absorbed across the senior management team, so that I can continue to spend the required time in our Australian businesses and also maintain a work-life balance.”

the UK operation has proven successful and we have exhausted organic growth opportunities, I think it is inevitable that we will move on and acquire other business in the UK or Europe, but this is quite a few years off yet.”

Q. To what extend has the strength of the current Australian dollar helped or hindered you in the UK to buy out such large chunks of a foreign company? What is it that other

Q. Tower Transit will also be the only operator of hydrogen powered buses in London.

What are your views of hydrogen buses and alternative-fuelled buses being used en masse in transport hubs around the world? Are they over-rated, and why so?

CF “Alternate-fuelled vehicles have to be the way of the future. The hydrogen bus project is an exciting trial and we are lucky to be part of it in London. A large part of our London fleet will be hybrid buses and this technology has been embraced far more widely in the UK and

Australian companies should be aware of if thinking about purchasing there also?

Europe than it has here in Australia. I would like to see the hydrogen buses be proven as

CF “The opportunity has come about due to

an efficient alternative, but time will tell on the

FirstGroup exiting this business so we had little say in the timing, but absolutely with the

actual efficiency. People often ignore the ‘whole of life’ costs of alternate fuel vehicles (economic

AUD GBP exchange rate at all-time highs this makes the investment very compelling.

Additionally, there is a large asset base with

and environmental) and when you take into account higher levels of parts replacement and the expense of maintenance etc, this can

‘freehold’ property and the property market is depressed in the UK, so it’s likely not a bad time to invest. Certainly the property

show up some false economies. Alternatefuelled vehicles also need to be a practical replacement, in my view. We find that even

market could improve and the exchange rate move in our favour and that is likely to happen, but this in no way should form part of the investment decision per se. We do

our CNG-powered vehicles in Australia are not always a great replacement for the diesel buses, as they lack comparable power and you cannot deploy them on hilly services. We have not been

not need any movement in these to make the deal stack up. There are quite complex tax consequences of moving money back

intimately involved in running the hydrogen buses yet, so it will be interesting to see how they perform across all aspects of operational

to Australia, so some prudent structuring is required and to understand and address all of the cross-border challenges. A good set of advisers is invaluable.”

efficiency and I do hope they are a success and can be rolled out more widely. I think we will see far more hybrid buses here in Australia before we see hydrogen buses, though.”

“Our Lea Interchange depot in London has 200 buses and over 600 drivers.” www.truckandbus.net.au 051

We Want

Better With Age It must be infuriating for Mercedes-Benz not being able to use some of its main bus designs in certain markets. And in OZ the Euro6-spec New Citaro looks like being yet another one. Fabian Cotter looks at Merc’s 2013 Bus of the Year Winner and what its future holds.

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1 It’s a good-looking interior with well-

thought-out use of passenger space.

2 Drivers will enjoy the ergonomics up

front. Dash layout looks clear and simple.

3 Split opening doors look great and

‘uncluttering’.

1

A

s one of the leading airports in the world and arguably the main

2 3

4

transfer hub into mainland Europe and beyond, Frankfurt Airport is in no position to compromise on comfort, style and fuel efficiency when it comes to using

transit of passengers. Passengers with limited mobility can gain easy access to the vehicles, all of which feature a low-floor design, thanks to a folding ramp.

buses, regardless of the distances involved.

Having spent more than enough time there like Tom Hanks in the movie The Terminal and seemingly on a first-name basis with the

With a strong air conditioning system to keep the interior pleasantly cool on hot days despite the frequent opening of the doors, the Citaro’s also got an externally mounted flight

people working in duty free while travelling back and forth to ‘home’ in the UK, I’ll attest to the need for seamless movement around

destination display system, updated by UMTS (3G) technology.

Fraport says it opted for the sophisticated

different parts of the airport or onto planes, especially when laden with luggage. And I wouldn’t have been the only one. In 2011 alone, Frankfurt Airport welcomed 56.4 million passengers and processed 2.2 million tonnes of cargo from approximately 487,000 flights, plus it runs a fleet of around 100 airfield shuttle buses.

The point is, with so much riding on first impressions being best impressions, irrespective of if travellers choose to return via Frankfurt, any bus selected for the task needed to really have its A-game on. And Daimler’s latest Euro6 Citaro city bus was deemed perfect for the task.

Late last year, the company that operates Frankfurt Airport, Fraport AG, put 28 Mercedes-Benz Citaro airfield shuttle buses

Citaro series concept because with well over 30,000 units sold since 1997, the MercedesBenz city bus is arguably the most successful city bus of all time. Consistent modular design that appeals to bus service operators is claimed to be key. The Citaro modular design, ‘means a very flexible production process and the ability to implement different vehicle lengths, superstructures, bodies, load levels, and numerous special equipment and special design options, for example door arrangements or door variants,’ claims Daimler.

With so many variants from so many generations of Citaro, the design concept places special emphasis on maintainability and the interchangeability of parts between the different models. These are factors that reflect positively in the Life-Cycle-Costs (LCC) over

into service. The new fleet of airfield shuttle vehicles comprises four Citaro solo buses and 24 Citaro articulated buses manufactured in

the long ‘life’ of a bus, believes Daimler. Furthermore, with its vehicle width of 2.55 metres (still too wide for us apparently by a bee’s

is an innovative 24-volt recuperation module: energy produced without any expense by the alternator during overrun phases is stored in double-layer capacitors, known as supercaps, which the bus can then use as an additional source of energy during the acceleration phase. The lower boarding height at the rear doors also helps to reduce energy consumption. Maintenance of the diesel particulate filters now only needs to be undertaken every two years or after every 120,000 kilometres.

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giving it to the hybrids, even.

Mannheim. Fraport AG selected the vehicle equipment based on the swift and efficient

Winning Stuff This “economic miracle” from Mercedes-Benz is represented by the newly developed BlueEfficiency Power engine series, consisting of the six-cylinder in-line units OM 936 with a displacement of 7.7 litres and OM 470 with a displacement of 10.7 litres. Both engines meet the Euro6 emission standard, are durable and use low consumption of fuel, oil and AdBlue. Such technical innovations have, however, neither increased the weight of the Citaro nor reduced its spaciousness, it’s claimed. Also helping it to make economic savings

4 New Mercedes-Benz Euro6 engines

The New Citaro is attractive and distinctive in design. To accommodate the new engines, the engineers developed a new rear frame, which makes the vehicle 30 millimetres longer. The decorative facing to the domed rear end of the Citaro gives the bus an arguably dynamic profile, but neither the turning circle nor the overall height of the vehicle is affected by these modifications. An elegantly rounded, glass panel above the rear window further enhances the classy look of the new Citaro. The engine flap and

rear light clusters have also been redesigned. Energy-saving and long-life LED units have been used for the tail lamps, brake lamps and even the indicators.

Safety? It includes a new crash element to protect the driver in the event of a collision, while the bus was designed overall with consideration to the future ECE R 66/01 standard, which specifies a larger survival space for the interior in the event of the bus tipping over.

Although this is not due to come into effect until 2017, passengers as well

as the company are already able to enjoy the benefit of this extra level of safety. It has also been possible to make numerous elements of the bodyshell lighter and yet even stronger. Furthermore, the new Citaro is the first regular-service bus ever to feature ESP. The range of the low-floor regular-service Citaro now consists of 11 variants with a large number of different lengths that fully cover all the transportation needs of local public transport operators in urban and rural transport.

“…Daimler’s latest Euro6 Citaro city bus was deemed perfect for the task.” proverbial), the Citaro is ideal for operating in

cedes-Benz Citaros each covered a distance

converter transmission.

the sometimes confined spaces at Frankfurt Airport. An airport, though, is not the only

of about 1400km in demanding urban traffic.

The two high-deck touring coaches of the Se-

With a fuel consumption of 38.7L/100km the New Euro6-certified Citaro turned in an

environs the New Citaro is proving itself.

tra ComfortClass 500 travelled about 9000km

excellent performance in the Record Run

At about the same time, the New Citaro was entered into the 2012 Record Run Buses

each in long-distance trips on public roads, Daimler states. With the exception of two refu-

Buses 2012 in light of the difficult route, it’s claimed. It outperformed its predecessors,

event in Wiesbaden, the capital of the German

elling stops each day, the five buses operated

which are known to be economical, by

state of Hesse (Hessen, in German). It basically tries to determine a reduction in fuel usage

around the clock for five days straight.

The Citaro came in three versions. The

3.6L/100km or 8.5 per cent. Assuming an annual mileage of 60,000km, states Daimler,

and exhaust emissions while trying to meet strict Euro6 standards. Alongside two Setra ComfortClass 500 coaches and two other

new Euro6-certified model with the also new Mercedes-Benz OM 936 h engine and a displacement of 7.7 litres and a rated power

it also relieves the burden on the environment by 5700kg in CO2 emissions.

Assuming an annual mileage of 60,000km

Citaros, they successfully demonstrated that it could be achieved, covering a total distance of 18,000 kilometres under impartial supervision over five days. In real terms, it proved it could deliver on its promised fuel savings of 4-6 per cent (New Citaro) and then some.

Loaded at 50 per cent of the payload with a realistic 3.2 tonne of ballast, the three Mer-

output of 220kW (299hp) faced the directly comparable Euro5-certified predecessor models with OM 906 hLA engine (6.4 litres displacement, rated power output 210kW/286hp), as well as with the OM 457 hLA engine (220kW/299hp). Transmissions, final drive ratios and tyres were identical in each case – fully automatic ZF Ecolife torque

and current fuel prices of about €1.25 Euros (AUD$1.65 approx) per litre (excluding VAT), the new Euro6-certified Citaro saves about €2700 Euros (AUD$3557 approx.) in costs for diesel fuel annually. So the additional expense for the new Euro6-certified Citaro is worthwhile not only because the vehicle pays for itself after about four years, but also due

You’d smile, too, if your bus had just been crowned Bus of the Year 2013.

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MAJOR EVENTS Two Awards for Daimler Buses at the busplaner Sustainability Award 2013.

Thomas Fricke, project manager Setra ComfortClass 500; Melanie Baumann, project manager New Mercedes-Benz Citaro; Axel Stokinger, sales manager EvoBus GmbH Germany (from left to right) Daimler Buses assumes that it will be able to maintain its claimed globally leading position in its core markets for buses above 8 tons with innovative and high-quality new products. Not least due to various major orders in advance of the soccer World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, a rise in unit sales is anticipated in Brazil for the years 2013 and 2014.

to the predicted higher value retention, says Daimler. The test vehicles and their operations

world markets and award wins. Only recently in Europe did its innovations help it to knock

were monitored by Dekra, an independent specialist automotive organisation.

The centrepiece of the drive system is the new BlueEfficiency Power engine. The

out the technical trailblazers of a new era in this year’s Bus of the Year 2013. The Euro6spec New Citaro won the overwhelming support of the international jury of experts,

in-line six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 936 engine in the Citaro is claimed to be robust, have longevity and maximum cost-efficiency with regard to fuel, motor oil and AdBlue

Daimler states, well ahead of its competitors, almost all of whom were relying on hybrid technology.

“Our prime concern when developing

consumption, as well as by long maintenance intervals. It produces high torque at very low engine speeds and an excellent throttle

the new Citaro was that we should be able to match economy and efficiency with corresponding gains in performance, safety

response, states Daimler. Both qualities are prerequisites for successfully taking the place of the predecessor engines that to some

and comfort”, emphasised Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses.

Daimler Buses has delivered some 350

extent had significantly more displacement – thus downsizing.

So what else makes the New Citaro different? A lowered entrance height reduces the amount of air needed for ‘kneeling’ and consequently the amount of energy required. Secondly, the energy management: free (without diesel injection) electricity is generated in overrun mode and stored in dual-layer capacitors (supercaps), available the next time for acceleration. This relieves the burden on the alternators and consequently reduces fuel consumption.

And what it is all amounting to is a next-gen Citaro that looks set for popularity in various

units equipped with Euro6 exhaust treatment technology to date. By the end of 2013 more than 1700 Daimler Buses of the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands equipped with environmentally friendly Euro6 exhaust treatment technology are expected to be on the road.

The New Citaro meeting Euro6 is currently the cleanest diesel-driven regular-service bus on the market. An optimised combustion process and a sophisticated emission control system reduce particulate emissions to just three per cent of the level specified by Euro1 20 years ago, while nitrogen oxide emissions have been cut to five per cent.

“The centrepiece of the drive system is the new BlueEfficiency Power engine.”

BUS SPECS MODEL: Mercedes-Benz New Citaro ENGINE: Crossflow cylinder head, four valves per cylinder Euro6 BlueEfficiency Power engine series, six-cylinder in-line 7-7-litre OM 936 and 10.7-litre OM 470; 24-volt ‘recuperation’ module, asymmetrical exhaust turbocharger with a two-pipe turbine. Power: (OM 936): 220kW (299hp)@2200rpm; 260kW (354hp)@2200rpm. Torque: 1200Nm@1200– 1600rpm; 1400Nm@1200–1600rpm.

Power: (OM 470): 265kW (360hp)@1800 rpm, 290kW (394hp)@1800rpm U/min. Torque: 1700Nm@1100rpm; 1900Nm@1100rpm CHASSIS: New rear frame, 30 millimetres longer than the standard Citaro. Designed to ECE R 66/01 TRANSMISSION: Voith or ZF Euro6-spec MISC: Engine flap and rear light clusters redesigned; energy-saving and long-life LED tail-lamps, brake lamps and indicators. ESP

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The Complete Solution range. The evolution of bus design.

Purchasing a bus is a large long-term investment. Not only do you need to consider the upfront costs but also the whole of life costs. The Complete Solution range from MAN has made allowances for both.

MAN have matched their world renowned chassis with a sleek, European styled body. This combination results in a lower cost bus of high quality.

Servicing of both the body and chassis can now be done by the Australia wide MAN dealer network, saving time and money.

Designed for the Australian market, these buses are fuel efficient and offer excellent driver and passenger comfort and safety.

To find out how your business can benefit from our continuing evolution contact your local MAN Sales Representative.

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Evolve to MAN MAN126 C&B

Operator

Photography: Chris Smith

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Living in Paradise For Kevin and Judy Cook being bus operators isn’t just a job it’s a way of life. Chris Smith talks to the dynamic duo about the realities of running a family operation, dealing with mountains of legislation and the satisfaction of doing it well.

W

ho said the bus business was easy pickings? Well, it’s not and transport especially transporting people - is undoubtedly one of the more regulated and, arguably, over-regulated

vehicles as a mechanic by trade. But in a small business everyone does everything and when Judy isn’t in the office running the show, she is driving on a run and leading by example.

They got into the business eight years

twice a week.

He says of all the routes the Mackay run is the busiest because of the mine shifts.

“We have an awful lot of passengers from Mackay to Moranbah and down to Emerald,” he said.

industries in Australia.

So what kind of people get into the bus business and what keeps them keeping on,

ago when Judy’s father gave them the option to take over his school run and a mining contract. The mining contract only

The reason it’s popular is because firstly the smaller towns don’t have airports and secondly because PC is the only company

you might ask yourself?

For Kevin and Judy Cook it’s plain and simple: there is no greater satisfaction

lasted three years and Paradise Coaches no longer does school runs.

Instead it has diversified its business and

doing the service.

“Our lovely Red mates were doing the service for a while, but it wasn’t very

than doing a job well. They deal with the legislation and compliance - it’s what operators need to do to keep contracts - and as a small company it means more work for them. And it has been busy.

grown with a government contract to do the express services out of Emerald and a weekend run for Queensland Correctional Service (QCS) for the local prison, as well as charter work including mine shut

profitable so they pulled out,” he explained.

The route does get a government subsidy and he says some days there may be three passengers, but other days it’ll be full most days it will travel at a half load.

“For the last 12 months we have been basically sitting as we are, we have been that inundated with work. We have been

downs. Kevin and Judy have an intimate knowledge of all its routes and the clientele Paradise Coaches (PC) carries.

“With the subsidy it covers you. However, with more passengers the subsidy is reduced until we’ve got a top dollar, and

like the proverbial rooster with its head cut off,” explained Kevin, for the pair they complement each other perfectly and

“The Mackay run is a lot more mine staff,” explained Kevin. “Longreach run is a lot more elderly people and the Emerald run is

once we make top dollar they start cutting it back.”

He explains the weekend run to the local

work as a husband and wife team in their business Paradise Coaches based in Rockhampton, Queensland.

a lot more school kids. Obviously, the last day of school is pretty busy, but the days are pretty evenly balanced throughout the

prison is a set route and mainly takes grandmothers. But it doesn’t transport prisoners and the pickup and drop-off is

Judy is the operations manager and runs the business while he looks after the

week,” he said.

The run to Longreach and back is only

well outside the prison gates.

What underpins the core of PC is a strong

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FLEET IN PARADISE

With seven busses ranging from a 19-seat Nissan Civilian to a 53-seat Scania coach Paradise Coaches has a diverse and flexible fleet able to accommodate most jobs. The average fleet age is 12 years old and it is made up of a mixture of different brands - some buses bought new and some second hand. “We try and keep a four- or five-star standard. Except for the little mini busses all of the vehicles have got toilets, reclining seats and all that sort of stuff. We don’t have any school buses as such because we don’t do any school runs as such,” explained Kevin.

Included in the mix are two of the hardest-working BCI’s that he says are claimed to have the most kilometres of any BCIs in the country.

“They do 1,000,000 kilometres, but they’re just a bit small for the roads, but the principal of them is really good,” he said.

“I think they are designed for a different sort of demographic, grammar schools, high schools, sporting clubs, that sort of thing.

“They cause me a headache some days, but I shouldn’t be so hard on them either. They’re running around 700-900km a day, every day of the week. BCI keep telling me I’ve got the most kays on any BCI in QLD,” he said.

Kevin says he’d like to expand the fleet and add an additional large bus and a small bus to cope with the strong demand.

sense of family values. And this is drummed in to the drivers from the ground up. It’s the

ongoing training and a rigorous induction program spearheaded by Judy covering every

little things like helping passengers with their bags and carrying a positive attitude that has scored major points for the company through the Queensland Transport customer surveys.

known OHS issue including the safest use of fire extinguishers.

Drivers need to do a theory lesson test and are taken on a driving lesson to make

“We try and maintain that small business feel, one on one, family-orientated concept through the staff to the passengers,” said Kevin.

“We don’t get very many complaints and

sure they are up to scratch for the company.

And the training is ongoing with six monthly checks of Driver Authority approval and licence validity.

we try and keep it that way. We had to do a customer survey for QT 18 months ago and there wasn’t a bad report put in about us, and

He explains most drivers are employed for the passenger express and charter and part of the learning process is going out on

we try and maintain that,” he said proudly.

Following the rules in this highly regulated industry is essential for survival; however,

an express run with another driver, just as a passenger, to experience it before they do it on their own.

driving at safe speed and distance behind other vehicles also has its advantages when it comes to maintenance. He says since the 2010 floods the roads have been bad and PC has had a lot of problems with broken windscreens. Ouch!

Kevin says all the drivers go through

“That other driver is usually Judy and then they’re left on their own. If they’re not comfortable they’ll do a couple of runs with Judy. She likes them trained her way. She wants the vehicles kept clean and she wants the ‘following distances’ to be a certain distance. And fair enough.

“…high moral and ethical standards

TROUBLE, TROUBLE… Lately, however, not all has been well in paradise.

Floods have cut roads and services to Emerald, Longreach and Mackay and the route services have had to stop. They say without trucks Australia stops, but for people in rural towns that don’t have airports, the bus route is the main corridor - especially for students, the elderly and miners. For Judy, the floods have caused her much heartache.

“I’ve been abused quite a bit over the last couple of days because I’ve been expected to run the coaches, even though we can’t get to where we’re supposed to go, due to closed roads, and they’ve told me I’m inconsiderate because I haven’t got the coaches there but there’s nothing I can do. People just don’t understand that,” she said.

However, the regulars understand. She says especially the parents of the children that travel unaccompanied on the PC services.

“We have a very excellent rapport with the families and their kids, and with our regular adult passenger, we have that rapport with them and they understand what we are going through.”

These are the patrons that she enjoys taking care of in her motherly nurturing way and the ones that give her job satisfaction.

060 www.truckandbus.net.au

1 2

“At the end of the day it’s your name on the bus, but we encourage people to ring up and

a modern transport company.

With her high moral and ethical standards

is treated as an extension of the family. Most don’t know she is the boss when she is on

complain. We don’t get a lot of complaints but I’d rather know that something’s not right than someone sit back and not say anything. We encourage the customers and clientele to ring

she puts the pressure on herself to perform and this transcends down the line. She openly admits she’s not in the game to make a million dollars, but rather she seeks to help the

the road.”They don’t know who I am when I’m on the service because I might be one of the bosses when I’m here, but I’m not a boss,” she said.

up and tell us,” he said.

The formula used is a base of 12 casual staff. This minimises paperwork for Judy with regards to paperwork for things such as

community and the passengers they service as much as she can.

“I’m the type of person that I like to achieve at anything I put my mind to

“We work together as a team and when I’m on the service I’m a driver, well a coach driver as they put it, and they don’t know I’m one of the managers.

leave entitlements. Drivers do a maximum of four days a week – 12 hour days, to give drivers a work-life balance. “We offer a family

and I’ve got a partner, Kevin, who’s an extraordinary man, in all areas, so I like to keep up with him,” she openly praised

“I put their luggage in, I take their luggage off, I make sure they’re comfortable, I tell them what we do, don’t have, if there’s anything

work place and it attracts a certain type of person and not another type. Some people just want to be a number in a big place. We

her husband. “I lead by example. I don’t ask anything I can’t do myself, unless I physically can’t do it,” she said.

they need, if I can help, I’m happy, if I can’t help I’m so sorry,” she said.

are based here, the office is based here, and unfortunately I live here too,” Kevin joked.

There is no other way to say it, but Judy is an amazing person. She treats the company as if it is another one of her children nurturing each aspect of the business from driving to quoting and all the compliance needed to run

“I have no problems in getting out there. If the guys are complaining about a road in a certain section I don’t know about I have no problems in turning around and going out and doing that run because it keeps me on the same playing field as them.”

And this extends to the customer base that

EXPANSION AND FLEET The business is expanding steadily from where it first started.

“We started with three vehicles and have slowly increased it by adding one a year onto the fleet or when the need prevails.

If you need another little bus, you buy a little one. I’d like to have another big bus and a little bus,” explained Kevin.

she puts the pressure on herself to perform.”

1 Jarred works with Kevin to make sure

the fleet is in mechanical order.

2 The fleet is in the yard today because

roads have been cut. It is a motley crew of different makes models and sizes.

3 Kevin and Judy Cook are a dynamic duo working hard to make their business a success.

3

www.truckandbus.net.au 061

Not just a Better Deal, a Better BUS Dealer!

2009 FUSO ROSA $89,990 2009 Mitsubishi Rosa 25 Seater Bus, Super Low 53,853 Km’s, Ex Major Fleet, Powerful Turbo Diesel Engine, Spring Suspension, Automatic Transmission, CD, Side Door, Rear Door, 25 seater, Tinted Windows, Cloth Seats, Tow Bar, Tare 4480 Kg , GVM 6185kgs, $89,990 Inc GST, Sold With Vic RWC

2008 Mitsubishi Rosa $89,990 2008 Mitsubishi Rosa Bus, 79,502Kms, Powerful 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel Mitsubishi, Engine, Spring Suspension, Automatic Transmission, CD, Side Door, Rear Door, 25 seater, Tinted Windows, Cloth Seats, GVM 6285kgs, GCM 7000Kgs, $89990 Inc GST

2006 Mitsubishi Rosa $59,990* 2006 Mitsubishi Rosa Bus., Low Kms. (151,846 Kms)., 25 Seater, Current Vic Rego Till 27-OCT-2013, Powerful 4 Cyl Turbo Diesel Engine., Manual Transmission, Air Conditioning., Radio, Rear Steps, Side Door, Tinted Windows, Fitted with Seat Belts., Spring Suspension., 4 x 2., GVM: 6,185kg., $59,990 inc GST.

2008 Mitsubishi Rosa $89,990 2008 Mitsubishi Rosa 25 Seater Bus, Super Low 48,315 Km’s, Powerful Turbo Diesel Engine, Spring Suspension, Automatic, Transmission, CD, Side Door, Rear Door, 25 seater, Tinted Windows, Cloth Seats, Tow Bar, GVM 6285kgs, GCM 7000Kgs, $89990 Inc GST, Sold With Vic RWC

2008 MITSUBISHI ROSA $79,990 2008 Mitsubishi Rosa Bus, Low 116,783Kms, Mitsubishi Turbo Deisel Engine, 6 Speed, Manual Transmission, Spring Suspension, 6 Speed Manual, 25 Seater, C/D, Power, Steering, Side Door, Rear Door, Cloth Seats, Tow Bar, $79,990 Inc GST

2003 TOYOTA COASTER 50 SERIES $36,990 2003 Toyota Coasta 50 Series Bus, Low 114,829 Km’s, EX Ambulance Department, Powerful Diesel Engine, 6 Speed Manual, Transmission, Wheel Chair Lift, Power, Steering, 14 Seater, Side Door, Rear Door, Tinted Windows, Spring Suspension, Gvm 4490 Kg, $36,990 Inc GST

1999 Toyota Coaster $24,990 1999 Toyota Coasta Bus, Low 218,276 Km’s, Current NSW Rego till OCT 2013, Powerful 6 Cyl Diesel Engine, Spring Suspension, 5 Spd Manual Transmission, 20 Seater, Power Steering, Side Door, Rear Door, Wheel Chair Lift, Seat Belts, Spare Rim & Tyre, GVM 4490 Kg, $24,990 Inc GST

2007 MITSUBISHI ROSA $69,990 2007 Mitsubishi Rosa Bus, Low 122,634Kms, Powerful 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel Mitsubishi, Engine, Spring Suspension, Manual Transmission, Side Door, Rear Door, 25 seater, Tinted Windows, Cloth Seats, GVM 6285kgs, GCM 7000Kgs, $69990 Inc GST, Sold With Vic RWC

2000 Nissan CIVILIAN $26,990 2000 Nissan Civilian Bus, Current Vic REGO, Till 02-10-2013, Good Km’s for Age, Powerful 6 Cyl Nissan TD42 Diesel Engine, Manual Transmission, Fitted with Wheel Chain Lift, Side Doors, Rear Barn Style Doors, Spring Suspension, Tow Bar, Rear Cooler/heater, $26990 Inc GST, Sold With Vic RWC

1995 NISSAN CILIVIAN $16,990 1995 Nissan Cilivan W40 Bus, Low 161,082 Km’s, Powerful Nissan 6 Cyl Diesel Engine, Spring Suspension, 5 Spd Manual Transmission, 17 Seater, Tow Bar, Spare Rim and Tyre, Radio, Power Steering, Side Door, $16,990 Inc GST

1999 Nissan Civilian $29,990 1999 Nissan Civilian Bus, Ex Private College School Bus, Low Kms, Powerful Nissan 4Cyl Diesel Engine, 5 Speed Manual Transmission, 21 Seats + Driver Seat, Spring Suspension, Radio, Automatic Side Door, Sliding Windows, 4 x 2, $29990 inc GST

Nissan Civilian $29,990 2000 Nissan Civilian Bus, Ex Private College School Bus, Low Kms, Powerful Nissan 4Cyl, Diesel Engine, 5 Speed Manual Transmission, 21 Seats + Driver Seat, Spring Suspension, Radio, Automatic Side Door, Sliding Windows, 4 x 2, $29990 inc GST

Not just a Bet ter Deal, a Bet ter BUS Dealer!

7 – 12 Industrial Place, Breakwater, Victoria, Australia, 3219 W www.fusogeelong.com.au E ryan@fusogeelong.com.au P +61 3 5222 3344 M 0433 223 300

Hot Stuff

By Fabian Cotter

Gadgets on the go

We’ve scoured the globe for all the latest gadgets and gizmos for when you are on the go.

Hautik iPhone Lens OWNING AN iPhone seems par for the course these days and regardless of what model you choose to use there’s a range of cool accessories for it if you are a buddying photographer, like telephoto lens covers.

From Zhongshan Hautik Optical Products Co.,Ltd in China comes a range of variants for different iPhones, but the point is instead of having to carry around a camera on your travels just use your iPhone with a bit of help of a lens or two.

With an 8x magnification and WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

16-degree angle view, the 18mmdiametre lens is perfect for zooming in on distant subjects while measuring only 30x70m to carry around in your pocket when not attached to the special iPhone casing. This one pictured, for the iPhone 4G and 4S is a smart design with detachable lens where the black cover case simply snaps onto your phone for normal use until you need to happy snap some cool things far away. There’s also a flexible handle that can be pulled out for easy adjustment.

iPhone Telephoto Lens Hautik, China Varies depending on phone model www.hautik.com

Mini Microscope AT THE OTHER END of the scale, just when you thought there were lenses only to help your iPhone see things from farther away or wider than normal, there are those that you get you close to the action on a whole other level.

It will be one of those things you think will never come in handy – until, of course, you are bloody well in a pickle and you’ll be searching around for the trusty microscope.

Don’t have one? Don’t fret! The Mini Microscope lens does just that, enabling you to zoom-zoom in big time on teeny weeny writing and numbers or just whatever else is so small to read you’d need to eat a bazillion carrots just to improve your eyesight even just a little bit for the task.

It transforms your smartphone into a mini microscope capable of 60x magnification; just attach the Mini Microscope to the camera lens of your iPhone 4 or 4S. Three built-in bright white LEDs shed light on your subject and even allow you to reliably verify watermarks. And, best still, as it’s attached to your phone you can take photos of everything you’re examining. It’s just 1.46inch x 1.61-inch x 0.67-inch in size and uses just three LR1130 batteries. Too easy.

WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

Mini Microscope Think Geek Approx. $20 www.thinkgeek.com

iPhone 6?

THE INEVITABLITY of a new iPhone being released these days is like toast about to pop out of a toaster – bar some major balls-up it’s just going to happen.

And with such timed regularity we’ve come to expect from Apple, punters are WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

iPhone 6 Apple Inc. TBA www.apple.com

salivating over what the next iPhone 6 iteration could look like and offer as special features.

Artists impressions (as pictured, possibly) imply a thinner unit with larger screen space, and one video doing the rounds online actually predicts the next iPhone – though probably one further down the line to ensure protracted sales of in between models, we reckon – will have little stands that Transformers-like

pop out so that the phone becomes a mini wall projector you can watch videos from. Now that would be cool.

Anyway, the point is the next iPhone is due out soon and as the device as a concept entrenches itself more deeply into our lives as a must-have item, it’s clear the finalised iPhone 6 design will be even more user friendly and technologically refined. Expect better resolution and screen size.

064Money Matters

Paul Clitheroe Super changes cometh, but there’s hope for the self-employed

T

he recent announcement of changes to superannuation by the

1 July, 2013. Notably, your employer must pay more into your super each year, with

Federal Government won’t come as a surprise to many Australians.

Hardly a year goes by without our system of retirement saving being fine-tuned. But super

compulsory contributions rising from the present 9 per cent of your base wage or salary up to 12 per cent over the following seven years. It’s a reform that recognises many of us

is your money and that makes it worth having a reasonable idea of some of the reforms about to impact superannuation.

will need a lot more to live on in retirement than our current rate of super provides.

The start of the new financial year will also

Assuming none of this changes again following the September election, one of the key initiatives announced recently will see people pay tax at 15 per cent on superannuation earnings in excess of $100,000. The measure won’t take effect until 1 July, 2014, and it’s likely to affect around 16,000 Australians. Yet other changes are about to be introduced that will impact many more workers.

From 1 July, 2013, super funds will start to offer a new type of super account called MySuper. This will replace ‘default’ accounts – those super funds chosen by employers when an employee doesn’t nominate a fund.

You would think that when it comes to something as important as our long-term savings, which is what superannuation is, most people would take an active interest in where their money goes. In fact, that’s often not the case. About 80 per cent of workers let their

see the upper age limit on employer super contributions removed. This means you could still be eligible to get super from your employer if you’re 70 or over and still working. It’s a tremendous incentive for seniors to keep their hand in the workforce if they choose to.

I have no doubt the latest round of super changes won’t be the last. The key thing is that super is your money for the future, and taking an active interest in where – and how – it is invested will pay dividends in retirement.

employer make that decision, and so a vast amount of money ends up in default funds.

The trouble with the current system of default

“...it’s something of a lucky dip.”

GROW SUPER, SAVE INTAX The end of the financial year is just around the corner, so there is still some time left before 30 June to review your superannuation. There are affordable ways to boost your retirement nest egg while trimming this year’s tax bill.

than their personal marginal tax rate. In this case it means more of your money – 85c in the dollar - goes toward building your retirement savings.

If you are a low-income earner making a contribution to your super using after-tax money from your own pocket could make you eligible for a government co-contribution. If you earn below $31,920 in the current financial year, the government will contribute an extra $500 to your super if you make a contribution of $1,000. The $500 co-contribution slides in value for every dollar you earn over $31,920 up to a cap of $46,920 at which point it’s zero.

Making a super contribution on behalf of a low-income spouse is another way to save on tax. If your partner earns less than $10,800 in the current financial year, making a $3,000 contribution to their fund can see you receive a tax offset of $540. A partial offset is still available even if your spouse earns up to $13,800 annually.

As part of your tax preparations check the value of total contributions into your fund over the past 12 months. The Government imposes strict annual limits on super contributions, and exceeding these thresholds can result in tax penalties.

The current annual limit for pre-tax (“concessional”) contributions is $25,000.

This cap includes both any salary sacrifice

your goals and needs, or whether the fund charges above-average fees.

The whole point of MySuper is to provide a

If you’re self-employed it’s worth thinking about contributing to your super before 30 June. You can normally claim a tax deduction of up to $25,000 annually for super contributions though there is a bit of

simple, low-cost super fund for those workers who don’t nominate their preferred fund. It’s worth clarifying that MySuper is not a new

paperwork involved. You need to inform your fund in writing that you intend to claim the contributions on tax, and it’s worth the effort as

those aged 60 and older from July 1, 2013, and to those aged 50 and older from July 1, 2014.

After-tax contributions are restricted to

type of superannuation scheme. Instead, it is an option that will be offered by most existing super-fund managers and it may be marketed under a variety of names. The common thread

many self-employed workers are underfunded when it comes to retirement savings.

For traditional employees, consider speaking

$150,000 annually, or if you are aged under 65 you can contribute $450,000 in a single year

funds is that it’s something of a lucky dip as to whether the fund’s investment process suits

is that MySuper accounts will provide a basic investment service and charge minimal fees. Its intent is that more of your super savings will be invested and allowed to grow so that you can enjoy a better lifestyle in retirement.

Other changes will also take effect from

064 www.truckandbus.net.au

to the boss about having part of your pre-tax wage paid directly into your super fund instead of receiving the money as cash in hand. This strategy is known as ‘salary sacrifice’ and it can help to reduce today’s tax bill. Super contributions made this way are taxed at 15 per cent, which for many people will be less

contributions as well as your employer’s compulsory contributions. This annual cap is slated to be increased to $35,000, applying to

as long as you don’t make additional after-tax contributions in the following two years. This type of contribution includes co-contributions and spouse contributions.

Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money magazine. Visit www.paulsmoney.com.au for more information.

we won’t be beaten for value!

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Including the driver’s, Rosa has up to

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To find out why more people choose Rosa, call 1300 429 134 or visit fuso.com.au *Rosa is Australia’s top-selling bus in its class for the last nine years based on Vfacts sales volumes 2004-2012. †This offer is available from participating Fuso dealers on new orders for new trucks and buses placed between 1 May and 31 December 2013. Excludes national fleets, government and rental buyers. Insurance arranged by Fuso Financial, a registered business name licensed by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation to Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd ABN 73 074 134 517 AFSL 247271 as an agent of the underwriter QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited ABN 78 003 191 035 AFSL 239545. Please see the Product Disclosure Statement and Policy Wording booklet for full terms and conditions. Insurance cover cannot be exchanged for cash or a discount off the purchase price of the vehicle. Full terms and conditions available from participating Fuso dealers or www.fuso.com.au. Fuso is distributed by Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd ACN 004 411 410.