Australasian Bus & Coach 439 March 2024

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Industry on the move

From acquisitions to new releases, the Australasian bus and coach market is humming along at an impressive rate

If there’s one thing about the bus and coach industry, it’s never stagnant. Each month there are new stories emerging. Acquisitions, retirements, changes, announcements, tenders and more. The opening months of 2024 have been no different as the segment picks up the pace and slips into a higher gear.

At the start of February, one of Australasia’s largest bus operators, Ventura Bus Lines, announced new owners in the form of Keppel Infrastructure Trust. By the end of the month, Ventura was back on deck, celebrating its 100th year as a business.

While this happened, the New South Wales Bus Industry Taskforce released its second report in a mammoth 204-page paper that delved into the various issues challenging the state’s bus and coach network. In the aftermath of such an impactful report, the NSW state government unveiled the Panel 4 Procurement list. To say that the past two months have been jam-packed is an understatement.

The March edition of ABC Magazine covers these various stories and more in what is another fruitful copy of news and features. The month’s news starts with our cover story, courtesy of Volvo Australia and its newly launched B13R coach. From page 20, the popular global manufacturer gives the industry a deep insight into the exciting innovations that are featured on the keenly awaited new model.

Our March magazine focuses on the world of servicing, repairs and maintenance, with a wide range of repairers, OEMs and other suppliers discussing their latest innovations in the space. Truck Tech Group is one of these repair companies that is making a name for itself in the bus and coach sector. After being formed in 2007 in the back

of founder Barry Saad’s service ute, Truck Tech, from page 29, has been on quite a ride in the bus industry. While Truck Tech has evolved into the servicing space, Wales Bus Repairs has been a constant presence. The family tale of Wales Bus Repairs starts on page 32 and finishes with an optimistic glance to the future for the bus and coach repairer.

To recap the service and maintenance lens, Irizar Asia Pacific gave ABC a tour of its new facility and service vans from page 34 that it’s using to provide unparalleled aftersales care to its growing list of customers.

Around the industry, and outside of the service focus, ABC read through the NSW Taskforce report and broke down what it means for the industry moving forward from page 25. In Queensland, VDI and its partner Yutong launched its Brisbane bus centre to a collection of industry members. From page 36, ABC was on sight to recap an intriguing, and humid, day in Eagle Farm.

From the likes of Webfleet’s fascinating new AI dashcam, as can be seen on page 44, to TransportME’s evolution as an ideal transport management solution for operators on page 42, cutting-edge technology is the talk of the town for March. On the supplier side, BCI lifts the lid on an exciting industry partnership that is set to take its body products to new heights in 2024 from page 38, while Bus Stop, on page 40, completed a special delivery in February to a newly-won school bus tender.

Alongside another productive month of deliveries and a Best Bus winning photo worthy of being framed, the March edition of ABC typifies the lively atmosphere currently being experienced in the bus and coach industry.

We hope you enjoy reading this month’s magazine.

Sean Mortell EDITOR, ABC

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In the know

4. editorial | industry on the move

From acquisitions to new releases, the Australasian bus and coach market is humming along at an impressive rate

8. news | all aboard

An overview of the latest Australasian and international bus and coach news that you need to know features

19. column | bic

THE FUTURE OF ZERO

BIC says there’s still one issue that needs addressing regarding the zero-emissions transition

20. cover story | volvo

DRIVING QUALITY

Volvo’s expanding bus and coach range in Australasia has grown yet again with the release of its latest high-quality coach model

25. feature | nsw taskforce report

A PLETHORA OF ISSUES

ABC summarises the key points made in the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce’s 204-page second report that was released in February

29. servicing feature | truck tech group

EMBRACING BUS MAINTENANCE

As a predominantly truck-based service and maintenance business, Truck Tech has grand plans to expand its bus side in Australia

36. feature | yutong

GRAND OPENING

The local bus industry braved typical Queensland conditions in February to celebrate the opening of VDI Australia’s new Eagle Farm facility

38. feature | bci

DREAM TEAM

Initial orders have allowed BCI to launch a new partnership with two global chassis OEMs that is set to excite Australian operators

40. feature | bus stop sales

EXPANDING WITH KING LONG

Bus Stop Sales and manufacturing partner King Long accelerated their success in January by providing their Australian-designed school charter bus to a local Queensland operator

42. feature | transportme

COVERING ALL BASES

TransportME has become a market-leading Transit Management System and Driver Console Unit for bus and coach businesses

44. feature | webfleet

CONSTANTLY EVOLVING

Webfleet solutions have become a popular option for bus operators in Australia. While the brand’s solutions have financial benefits for operators, they’re also keeping bus drivers, passengers and pedestrians safer

46. column | qbic

TACKLING BIG ISSUES

The 2024 QBIC conference in early April will discuss how the state’s political landscape is set to impact

48. competition | best bus

ESPERANCE ENTERTAINER

March’s ABC Best Bus winner, brought to you by VDI, is based out on the beautiful beaches of Austra

INDUSTRY EVENTS FOR 2024

Be sure not to miss out on an opportunity for these

54. factory facts | bus deliveries

We have all the latest bus and coach supplier sales data collected and recorded for you review, check out how the market has performed in the past month

Kinetic is helping preserve Redline’s history with its latest donation to the Tasmanian Bus and Coach

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Queensland’s bus buying spree

The Queensland government has launched a new plan to deliver hundreds of zero-emissions buses to the state’s fleet through direct government procurement.

Queensland premier Steven Miles announced that the government would order more than 400 zero-emissions buses that will be locally built to spark a clean energy transition while boosting bus manufacturing and creating new jobs, with new zero-emissions depots to also be built and existing depots to be transitioned.

The new zero-emissions buses are expected to cut emissions on Translink’s south-east Queensland urban network by 80 per cent after they replace aging diesel buses.

While the final number will be decided through a competitive procurement process, Miles says it’s expected that more than 400 buses will be locally manufactured.

“My government is steadfast in its commitment to invest in Queensland’s industries and create more jobs while also reaching our emissions reductions targets currently before the parliament,” Miles says.

“With this plan, it is expected that more than 400 new buses will be delivered, good jobs in local bus manufacturing will be supported and Queensland streets will be cleaner and quieter.

“It’s my expectation that this project will deliver best value for money for Queenslanders now, and in the lead up to 2032.”

The commitment builds on the Queensland government’s recent call to support the construction of 200 new Euro 6 diesel buses in Queensland.

Through this new zero-emissions bus program investment, the state

government is delivering on its commitment to ensure all new buses procured from 2025 to run on Translink’s south-east Queensland urban network will be zero-emissions.

Translink has already ran 75 zero-emissions buses across eight Queensland depots to help inform the design of the buses and depots from 2025.

The state government says local bus manufacturing will be boosted through local content requirements, which will see the creation of direct and indirect jobs, as well as local opportunities for small and medium businesses to be part of the broader supply chain.

“We needed a model for the transition to zero-emission buses that supports the current bus manufacturing workforce, and its transition to zero-emissions technologies,” Queensland transport minister Bart Mellish says.

“The cost to deliver the buses will be announced following a procurement process, to ensure offers are truly competitive.

“Since becoming Minister I have heard first-hand from industry, unions and drivers that they need better protections on the road. That’s why these new buses will have increased safety measures, like protection barriers.

“It is yet another example of how the Queensland government is delivering the services that Queenslanders want and need, while transitioning to a clean energy economy.”

Bus depots will also go clean, with new zero-emissions depots to be built and existing depots to be transitioned.

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will also work with the Queensland

government-owned investment corporation QIC to secure and manage further benefits from this project through a potential public private partnership, such as has occurred with Cross River Rail.

The plan will boost Queensland’s public transport capability prior to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will also lock in greater provisions for operational flexibility.

The new buses will also prioritise driver safety, with appropriate safety barriers to be installed prior to operation and in consultation with drivers.

All new buses will also be fully accessible for people who require mobility assistance and those who are travelling with luggage or prams.

“The decarbonisation of sectors like transport gives us the opportunity to bring more manufacturing back to Queensland, and that is good for jobs and our sovereign capability,” Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni says.

“The transport sector accounts for 15.6 per cent of Queensland’s emissions and is the third largest contributor, so enabling the shift to electric buses will help fast track reducing that contribution, importantly without costing commuters.”

Queensland manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher says this latest announcement further supports manufacturers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the transition to a net-zero economy.

“This is a big boost for Queensland’s bus manufacturing sector but there will also be benefits for local businesses in the downstream supply chain such as battery and systems manufacturing,” Butcher says.

“We know Queensland has the capacity to manufacture world-leading products and we’re supporting that today.”

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) Queensland and Northern Territory state secretary Rohan Webb says this move secures good local jobs while also establishing a pipeline of work for local communities for years to come.

“This announcement signals confidence in Queensland’s vehicle manufacturing industry and the Queensland government’s dedication to Queensland workers,” Webb says.

“These buses will be made in Queensland, by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders and demonstrate the community-wide benefits of building things here in Queensland.”

Above: The Queensland government will order more than 400 zero-emissions buses. Image: Translink

Initially, Rowe started the business in 1942 as an 18-year-old with just one operating service between Rooty Hill Station and Plumpton.

Since then, the operator has grown under the leadership of Rowe, along with his sons, Stephen and Richard, and his grandson Byron in the present day.

“My aim, and that of Busways, was always to offer safety, quality, consistency and efficiency,” Rowe says.

“At 100, I could not have imagined the changes I would see with new,

A ton for Busways founder Panel 4 unveiled

The New South Wales government has confirmed that Bus Panel 4 for procurement has been announced.

The procurement panel is now in place in the state, replacing Panel 3 from March 1 onwards.

The new panel includes an initial list of qualified companies to supply new buses, including battery electric buses, to operators, with more companies expected to be added shortly.

NSW transport minister Jo Haylen says the panel shows the government’s commitment to support local jobs and manufacturing by implementing new achievable targets for bus procurement in the state.

“This bus procurement panel that is now in place reflects the government’s focus on supporting local bus manufacturing as much as possible while still ensuring we have a reliable bus network,” Haylen says.

“For our zero-emissions bus program, Transport for NSW will include more local content during the fleet procurement stage.

“We are committed to creating

safer and stronger buses along with the use of technology.

“What makes me most proud is that we are continually evolving to offer the highest levels of service in transport to the community.”

Starting under the name of Rowes Bus Service, Rowe’s first purchase was a five-seater 1931 Chrysler 70, which his father, Cyril, equipped with a device that converted charcoal to fuel.

“By just saving money and working hard, I then had about four different cars by 1946,” Rowe says.

“I then had a seven-passenger 1930 LaSalle, they were a cheap Cadillac,

Busways says during the 1950s and 1960s, Rowe continued to grow the service through joint ventures, acquisitions and delivering quality services for the public while contributing to the evolution of the bus industry.

The 1980s then saw Rowe work with the NSW government to introduce Sydney’s first contraflow bus lane in Blacktown. In 1982, Busways became the second NSW private operator to own an articulated bus.

Busways says Rowe’s legacy and values of persistence, efficiency and a continued focus on improvement means it has always aimed to exceed expectations, particularly when it comes to scheduling, safety, fleet design and maintenance.

“I’m pleased that my family have taken up the mantle of providing high-quality services to the communities where we operate,” Rowe says.

“They are continuing to play a role in shaping the public transport industry, especially as we explore zero-emissions transport and future

bus manufacturing industry and maintaining jobs and capabilities into the future.”

The Panel will focus on supporting local manufacturers where possible throughout the bus building process, while balancing service and passenger demands.

Complementing the first stage of the ZEB program, which aims to progressively introduce a 50 per cent local content target in new electric buses, the panel is set to help ensure there’s around 1,700 ZEBs on Greater Sydney roads by 2028.

The panel also features a number of updated manufacturer requirements,

including updated safety features, the ability for suppliers to offer updated ZEB technology, ZEB battery warranties and new social, disability, diversity, environmental and sustainability requirements.

Haylen says the panel will help ensure that by 2047 the state’s public bus fleet has been fully transitioned to ZEB technology, reducing around 509,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

“While it is expected that a mix of bus types and manufacturers, including overseas manufacturers, will be required to meet network needs, this is a major step forward in seeing more local content across our public transport network,” Haylen says.

Australian bus and coach operator Busways celebrated the life of founder Richard ‘Dick’ Rowe on his 100th birthday in February.

Above: Busways founder Dick Rowe (left) with grandson Byron (right)

Above: The latest NSW bus procurement panel has been released

Image: Anton Gorlin/ stock.adobe.com

Image: Busways

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QBIC and BIC respond to QLD Electrical Safety Act review

Both the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) and the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) have responded to the review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002.

In 2023, both QBIC and BIC expressed concerns that the review would result in only qualified electrical workers, not vehicle mechanical staff, would be able to work on and maintain electric vehicles such as buses.

The response to this review has ruled out this change as part of the Act’s review.

QBIC executive director Jason O’Dwyer says both QBIC and BIC are satisfied with the “sensible approach” taken in reviewing the Act, which was released by the Electrical Safety Office.

“In our joint submission, QBIC and BIC strongly advocated for the recognition of the current safety record within the passenger transport industry,” O’Dwyer told ABC

“We emphasised that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), operators and their personnel already adhere to secure work systems,

WA increases bus conveyance allowance for regional families

evident in the industry’s low incident benchmarks.”

Image: arliftatoz2205/stock.adobe.com

As an active collaborator with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), regulatory training organisations and state transport regulators, QBIC and BIC continue to aim for a nationally safe industry.

O’Dwyer says the two bodies believe that a unified national approach is crucial for achieving consistency and safety throughout the industry, catering to all Australians.

“QBIC and BIC express contentment with the report’s logical decision to maintain the current exemption of propulsion parts of EVs from the scope of the Electrical Safety Framework in Queensland,” O’Dwyer says.

“We anticipate further collaboration with the Electrical Safety Office in reviewing upcoming draft legislations.

“QBIC acknowledges some proposed changes in other sections that may raise concerns but assures a vigilant stance to ensure the decision’s original intent is preserved throughout future parliamentary processes.”

The Western Australian government has announced that it is doubling the Public Transport Authority’s (PTA) School Bus Services (SBS) allowance to provide further cost-of-living support for regional WA families. Changes to the conveyance allowance come after the WA government recently announced its Fare Free Sunday initiative and Ride to School Free Program for eligible SmartRider card holders in Perth.

The increase was recommended in the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee’s Bus Fair report and will see the base rate increase from 25.24 to 55.6 cents per kilometre.

“Most regional families will have access to the PTA’s SBS, but we know in some cases that’s not possible, which is why the conveyance allowance is such an important measure,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.

Image: mino21/stocka.adobe.com

“This change represents the most significant increase in the conveyance allowance since 2002 and will make sure regional families that cannot use the SBS are appropriately compensated.”

The increased conveyance allowance is the latest recommended change from the Bus Fair report to be approved, with eligibility changes for the WA government’s Student Transport Policy framework among those recommendations.

Under the framework, a conveyance allowance is provided to parents to help with the cost of driving their children to and from school or, in some cases, to connect with a PTA-contracted school bus.

“Getting to and from school is a crucial part of having a fair education system and offering accessible public transport makes it easier for every student, no matter their circumstances,” WA education minister Tony Buti says.

Above: Both QBIC and BIC have welcomed the response to the act

Above: The WA school bus conveyance has received a vital boost

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Metro depot plans released

The Brisbane City Council has revealed plans for the Brisbane Metro project to expand north and east.

Brisbane City Council chair of transport Ryan Murphy says that if Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is re-elected, then plans will go ahead for a new charging station and depot to be built on a council-owned site in Fitzgibbon.

The plans for a new depot would mean the fully electric and high-frequency Metro vehicles would

be serviced in Brisbane’s northern suburbs beyond the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“We will also advance negotiations with the state government for an eastern metro line between Coorparoo and Capalaba,” Murphy says in a LinkedIn statement.

“Labor’s Council team has already vowed to block these critical public transport plans for our city if they’re elected to City Hall.”

Dysons acquires Moonee Valley services

Victorian operator Dyson Group has confirmed it has acquired the route services division from Moonee Valley Bus Lines. The transaction includes Moonee Valley’s Routes 503 and 506, as well as two school services and 11 vehicles.

The family-owned Moonee Valley Bus Lines was founded by the Higginsons nearly 60 years ago, with Dysons saying it’s honoured to take over the reins of these services and keep them Victorian owned. The acquisition is effective from

THE WOT!?!

BRINGING IN THE BOOK BUS

In the NSW mid north coast region of Kempsey Shire, the council’s new library mobile mini-bus is gaining plenty of fans. Rolling into towns like Hat Head and Crescent Head late last year, the bus is treating library members to launch events and a great collection of resources at their doorstep.

‘HEL’ BUS VETOED

In Poland, a group of Christian conservatives have protested against a bus number and its route. Bus 666 used to run through the Polish city of Hel, with the protests now resulting in the bus being changed to Bus 669. The bus operator, PKS Gdynia, says it changed the bus number due to pressure from Christian groups in the area.

now onwards and marks a significant milestone in both of the companies’ journeys.

“We wish Garry and the rest of the Higginsons the very best for the future and will no doubt cross paths again as the family continues to run Moonee Valley Coaches,” Dysons says in a LinkedIn post.

ENJOYING THE EMPTY BUS

Dyson Group CEO Andrew Jakab says: “It’s a true privilege to be given the opportunity to continue the work of a respected family business. Thank you Garry and the Moonee Valley Coaches team.”

You wouldn’t expect to be catching a bus as the sole passenger in a country like India that has a population of just under 1.5 billion people. That’s just what Hariharan SS got to do recently, when he left the airport and hopped onto a bus service that ended up running only for him. He was quick to thank the team at Vayu Vajra bus for their efforts in getting him home comfortably.

Image: bernardbodo/stock.adobe.com

Image: Brisbane City Council

Image: Dysons

Image: Curioso.Photography/stock.adobe.com

Image: Grispb/stock.adobe.com

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Tranzit makes NZ history

New Zealand operator Tranzit has unveiled the nation’s first fully electric bus network in Palmerston North and Ashhurst.

Local residents will now be able to enjoy a faster and more frequent service, courtesy of the new electric bus network delivered by Horizons Regional Council and contracted to Tranzit.

The network’s launch coincides with the introduction of new bus shelters across the city, with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Transport Choices program funding the council’s bus stop installation.

Horizons Regional Council chair Rachel Keedwell says the council has invited stakeholders to ride one of the new electric buses from Te Marae o Hine – The Square to one of the new shelters near IPU New Zealand, which was blessed by Rangitāne.

“The fully electric bus fleet, new shelters and redesigned bus network will significantly improve the public transport experience in Palmerston North and Ashhurst,” Keedwell says.

“With buses running every 30 minutes from 6.30am until 9pm daily,

and as often as every 15 minutes at peak times, people will have vastly improved options for travelling across the city.

“Fares are free all March to make it as easy as possible for people to get on board and try out the new buses and routes.”

Keedwell says people living in provincial cities want and deserve good public transport options and that the success of Te Ngaru The Tide in Whanganui – a fast, frequent, direct and easy-to-understand service which doubled public transport use in that city almost overnight – is an example of this.

“We are excited to give people living in the Horizons Region another quality public transport option,” Keedwell says.

“Horizons has a goal of reducing emissions from land transport by 30 per cent by 2030. The new network support Horizons and the city to achieve our goals of reducing emissions from transport while also reducing congestion for those who need to drive.”

Palmerston North City Council

transport and development group manager Glen O’Connor says launching these new bus routes and shelters is a significant step in making public transport a more attractive transport option in Palmerston North.

“The shelters will be installed gradually over the coming months and they feature designs which are inspired by two historical mapmakers of Manawatū, Haunui-a-Nanaia and John Tiffin Stewart,” O’Connor says.

Tranzit general manager of bus and coach Jenna Snelgrove says the company is proud to continue its long partnership with Horizons Regional Council in delivering public transport services in the Manawatū.

“The launch of the new network culminates months of hard work in recruiting an additional 50 drivers to deliver the expanded bus network, the procurement of 42 brand new electric buses to complement the existing electric bus Tranzit launched in Palmerston North in 2021, and a significant investment and upgrade of our depot to include 10 dual chargers, meaning 20 buses can be charged simultaneously,” Snelgrove says.

“This is hugely significant for our team and we are excited about delivering an improved bus network with a zero-emissions bus fleet. These new buses are also smoother, quieter, fitted with USB chargers and have more space on board for those who use wheelchairs, prams and other mobility devices. They also have a range of more than 300 kilometres, so they can do a full day in service without needing to charge.

“Our driving team is also very excited about the role they will play in delivering improved bus services in Palmerston North and ensuring the community is connected.”

Above: Tranzit has launched NZ’s first fully electric bus network. Image: Tranzit

The future of zero

Buses and coaches have been at the forefront of the nation’s zero-emissions transport transition. But there’s still one glaring issue that needs addressing by governments

Akey, recurring message to the Australian federal, state and territory governments is that buses are the easy part in the ongoing transition to zeroemissions fleets.

Bus Industry Confederation members already have fantastic battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell bus and coach models, and more are in the pipeline.

The difficult part relates to the provision of energy.

We’ve all heard the NSW Taskforce rumour about the 100-strong fleet of battery electric buses at one depot that only have the capacity to charge 50 buses, while 50 state-ofthe-art zero-emissions buses sit idle in Sydney. Is this just a short term problem or a vision of what’s to come?

Without urgent government intervention and action from energy distributors, this could be our future.

Bus depots and other commercial fleets will become large consumers of energy once fully electrified. While the electrification end date for bus public transit routes is unknown as of yet, governments have aligned to transition to electric buses in earnest from 2025. When the transition gathers momentum, energy companies will need to produce more electrons or hydrogens for heavy vehicle fleets. Due to the quantum required, new power stations or other energy sources generating renewable energies (not coal nor gas) will be needed if the energy is to be green.

Using electricity as an example, after establishing the energy source comes the task of transporting the electrons to the bus depots. At present, new transmission towers, poles and wires are a contentious issue in many rural and regional communities. These are likely to become more so in our city suburbs and major towns, further complicating the process. The same can be said of hydrogen.

Grid upgrades will be necessary moving forward as our depots transform to run zero-emissions buses (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell). Running our ZEB fleets will mean going from the garden hose of electrons that we currently use to

run a diesel depot, to a fire hydrant. Eventually, we’ll need one in every depot across Australia.

There’s currently spare capacity for these upgrades across certain parts of our grid. However, this may not be the case for others in the area once the first one or two close-by depots are electrified. So, there’ll be enough for today, but not for the future.

Is the situation hopeless? Thankfully, not yet.

Governments must develop stateand territory-wide, long-term depot upgrade strategies to identify sites to be electrified first, based on energy availability and grid connection opportunities. Next, a feasibility study would show the potential order and locations requiring urgent action to upgrade the grid, plus associated transmission requirements.

We, the industry and governments, must collaborate with the distribution businesses to provide this fire hydrant of electrons. This will ensure the good outcomes we need when we

need them. In turn, we’ll avoid the potentially embarrassing government outcome of significantly lagging grid upgrades just when electric buses arrive, as was the case in Sydney.

Collaboration must start now before the urgency worsens.

Below: BIC wants governments to address the zero-emissions infrastructure issue.

Image: THINK b/ stock.adobe.com

Recognising this, the Bus Industry Confederation Council set up the Energy and Infrastructure Group at the end of 2023. We also just began work on a Zero Emissions Bus Policy Position Paper aimed at clearly and concisely informing governments about how bus-specific transition issues may be addressed, ensuring an economically sustainable and technically successful transition of the industry to zero-emissions.

currently use to run a diesel depot, to a fire hydrant. Eventually, we’ll need one in every depot across Australia.

premier B11R coach. Since its introduction to the local market in 2015, the B11R, combined with a variety of body options, has been a

global bus brand has been working in Australia and New Zealand over the past couple of years on an exciting update to its coach range.

and drivers in mind and is designed to meet the demanding operating conditions of Australia, with a firm focus on safety, comfort and productivity.”

Having been launched globally at the start of 2023, the Volvo B13R is now set to become the latest addition to Volvo Bus Australia’s fleet. It joins the likes of the popular B8R and B8RLE models that have become the backbone of Volvo’s range in Australia, as well as the trusted B11R coach that it will eventually replace.

Volvo Bus Australia head of product and engineering for Asia Pacific Mark Fryer says the B13R continues on the same development as previous Volvo models that have been “tried, tested and reliable” in the Australasian market over many years.

“We’ve already had a handful of

Above: The B13R is hitting Australian shores

Left: The new model is an update on the popular B11R

been on emphasising its total cost of ownership, allowing operators to get maximum value for their investment. Volvo has done this by completely redesigning its electrical system and building a new digital display dash to make life easier for drivers around the region.

While still in the driver’s bay, Volvo Bus Australia has increased the movement of the steering column in order to improve driver ergonomics, while tweaks to the rear axle have resulted in a brand new transmission being made available in this modern coach. Alongside Volvo’s iShift transmission that has historically come as standard on its vehicles, the B13R also comes with an option for overdrive, which helps reduce revs on high gears and ultimately saves fuel usage.

“Simulations and testing done by Volvo globally has shown that this transmission, when incorporated with other advancements, has been found to have fuel savings of up to nine per cent,” Fryer says.

“This has been done through a range of changes, including by

adding a new 13L engine with the transmission.

“Then, the new electrical architecture allows us to adjust our variants to suit operator needs for when they want to tackle different routes and typography.”

This latest change means Volvo’s

Above: Driver comfort is key in the new Volvo model

newest coach isn’t just ideally designed for typical Australian conditions. The B13R’s electric architecture means it can run a variety of operations, from normal charter work around Australia to more complex tourism work in New Zealand’s renowned mountainous ranges – it can even run a standard Melbourne to Sydney route without much hassle.

While safety has always been a major focus for Volvo, flexibility is key with the B13R. The variations added to the coach model means Volvo Bus Australia can cater the coach down to the finest of features to provide a versatile vehicle that can run different requirements. To add to the benefits on offer, the B13R also features a larger engine and the biggest AdBlue tank that Volvo has ever offered the local market at 90L.

If you’re an Australasian operator, expect less trips to the service station to fill up on AdBlue with the B13R, creating a whole other avenue of cost benefits.

“The B13R can be made to be perfect for the hilly typography of New Zealand and other regions, as well as the harshest of Australian conditions,” Fryer says.

Further savings can be found in the new engine compartment layout, which includes a unique cooling system operated by electrical fans and lower engine revs at cruising speed. Coming in either a 460hp or 500hp power level, the B13R’s engine can also be run on biofuel to improve its environmental performance and footprint.

Fryer says the model’s powerful and highly fuel-efficient driveline

and passenger capacity that is unparalleled.

Once the model is on the road, Volvo customers can reap the rewards of longer service intervals, with the 13L engine and its unique cooling system with electrical fans extending the need for maintenance. The temperature in the engine bay is kept low and uniform in all conditions, giving the engine the optimum conditions to run in.

It wouldn’t be a Volvo bus or coach if it wasn’t tailored around driver and passenger safety. These new design elements included in the B13R, as well as the brand’s unique dynamic steering, provides smooth power and gear changes and light steering to keep everyone onboard comfortable. Alongside the renowned Volvo

Above: The B13R’s engine c an also be run on biofuel

Below: Volvo’s unique

system, the B13R has many reasons why it is set to be the spearhead of Volvo Bus Australia’s modern fleet.

The arrival of the new fuel-efficient diesel model complements the suite of sustainable products available, joining the manufacturer’s electric

“Alongside our BZL Electric, the B13R launch makes for an exciting moment for Volvo Bus Australia in its history.”

HELPING CUSTOMERS MOVE

ON TO BIGGER THINGS

Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs, Australia’s leading dedicated repair facility to the bus industry, continues to exceed customer expectations and service levels, with increased customer base and ever-expanding network of clientele.

Not only do they offer specialised accident repair solutions to the bus industry in general, but also a more complete solution for everything bus related.

From the smallest of scratches to major incidents and re-builds, Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs are renowned for the utmost stringent quality repair processes and service and turnaround times second to none.

OA plethora of issues

ABC summarises the key points made in the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce’s 204-page second report that was released in February WORDS

SEAN MORTELL

n May 2 last year, the NSW government launched a Bus Industry Taskforce to investigate the issues plaguing the state’s bus and coach industry. Roughly nine months later, the Taskforce’s second report, released in February, has confirmed that there are many challenges stagnating the state’s bus sector.

The 204-page report, consisting of 27 recommendations, goes into plenty of detail on these issues and has drawn the attention of many in the industry. After trawling through the Taskforce’s second report, here’s a definitive summary of what the report means for the NSW bus industry.

THE FUNDING ISSUE

Chaired by John Lee, the Taskforce cuts to the chase in its second report into the issues impacting NSW’s bus industry. The first key issue raised by the Taskforce is the lack of funding

that bus and coach services are receiving from Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

The report says bus services in NSW carry approximately 44 per cent of all public transport patronage in NSW but the operating and maintaining costs of bus services only account for approximately 15 per cent of the state government’s public transport expenditure.

There’s also been a lack of funding to meet population growth over the past two years, with only a 0.6 per cent ($10 million) growth in funding in 2023/24 for bus services. The Taskforce found that funding is needed to increase frequency and extend operating hours along 235 local NSW routes.

“The Bus Priority Infrastructure Program (BPIP) of $20 million per annum recurrent funding is the only constant funding source for bus priority and it has remained the same

for around 20 years,” the report says.

“It’s inadequate to provide the required investment to realise the needs of a world-class bus system.”

The Taskforce has labelled TfNSW’s current approach to planning bus infrastructure and funding bus services as “fragmented, inconsistent across projects and not always best practice”.

When it comes to existing services, the report says passenger ratings on infrastructure such as bus stops are poor, while TfNSW has identified that 235 Sydney bus routes don’t meet minimum service standards.

A pressing need identified in the report is that more funding is needed for essential minimum local and school services to repair the funding neglect, while a state-wide medium term bus plan was mentioned to focus on growing regions over the next decade with adequate funding.

Above: The second Taskforce report uncovers key issues plaguing NSW’s bus industry

Image: Bruce/stock.adobe.com.

ASSET MANAGEMENT WOES

A large chunk of the 204-page report narrows in on TfNSW’s management of depots and bus assets. The report refers to this management as “underdeveloped” and “mixed”, with the state government owning some depots in certain contract regions and having no control over others.

The Taskforce’s investigations have found that TfNSW isn’t responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and operation of bus assets and isn’t aware of their conditions, meaning there is limited assurance activity to hold operators accountable.

“It instead relies on others for information about their condition and maintenance, but there are no structured mechanisms for obtaining this data, nor any assurance mechanisms to validate it,” the report says.

“The Taskforce is concerned that TfNSW doesn’t possess sufficient in-house asset management expertise specific to buses.”

The report says the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) has also raised serious concerns about the “lack of bus related expertise within TfNSW”, painting a picture of a body that needs to develop asset and services plans.

The report calls on TfNSW to become an “informed purchaser of bus assets”, particularly when it comes to the procurement of zero-emissions buses. A key way it calls for this to be done is by establishing a bus asset management team within TfNSW’s structure.

The report also criticises the state government for ordering more than 50 battery electric buses without ensuring the availability of required charging infrastructure.

Above: Regional bus funding is a key priority in the report

Below:

The Taskforce is c alling for bus infrastructure to receive more funding in NSW

“This has seen approximately $35 million of state-financed fleet placed in storage for up to a year,” the report says.

“This doesn’t demonstrate an informed asset investment decision. The deployment of these buses would help alleviate fleet age and asset maintenance issues.”

SAFETY CONCERNS

Following last year’s Hunter Valley bus crash, the Taskforce’s remit was expanded to include bus safety. The second report covers this issue in-depth, focusing in on the Bus Operator Accreditation Scheme (BOAS) system, which it labels as “a tick and flick exercise” that is an “appropriate one-size-fits-all approach”.

“In practice, obtaining and maintaining BOAS accreditation is a process without rigorous content or clear purpose,” the report says. It also raised concerns about an audit issue, with only 10 out of 22 auditors in the state completing 75 per cent of the auditing work as of October 2022. The Taskforce has focused on a new approach to auditing that starts with risk assessment and establishing distinct risk tiers before revising regulator standards, monitoring operator activities and continually improving safety standards.

THE RAPID SOLUTION

The key part of the Taskforce’s suggested solutions include a short term approach focusing around repairing the funding neglect. From there, the report outlines a medium term bus plan that will implement major service improvements. As part

Image: Fernando/stock.adobe.com Image: Olga K/stock.adobe.com

of a longer 40:80:1000 vision, the report wants to see a long-term future of 40 rapid bus corridors with 80 frequent all-day services that are supported by 1000 improvements to local feeder services.

As part of these shortlisted solutions, the Taskforce has identified 10 rapid and 27 frequent services that can be invested in over the short and medium term.

At a cost estimate of $194 million of recurrent funding over three years and a $909 million capital funding for infrastructure, the Taskforce says this option would be more economically viable.

To further improve the state’s bus

network, the Taskforce also wants the last five cities left in the 16 Cities program to be completed courtesy of increased funding as part of a 40-year rapid bus transit vision that it says would cost $10 billion and be less than a quarter of the price of funding one metro line.

INDUSTRY REACTIONS

Following the release of the report, the NSW Liberal party called on the state government to commit to more bus funding, calling the report an example of “transport policy by press release”.

With nothing yet to be actioned to date, the state opposition wants the

government to begin funding these suggested changes.

State association BusNSW welcomed the major improvements suggested in the report and is awaiting the final Taskforce report that will be presented to the NSW government on May 1 this year.

“Overall, the second report reflects a collaborative effort to identify opportunities for the NSW bus industry to pave the way for a more efficient and sustainable future,” BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld says.

“BusNSW will continue briefing members on the second report throughout the year.”

The Taskforce wants to see a focus on rapid bus services made in NSW

Image: Kinetic

Embracing bus maintenance

As a predominantly truck-based service and maintenance business, Truck Tech found itself enticed into the bus industry. Now, it has grand plans to expand its bus side in Australia

For a heavy vehicle repair company that spans the eastern coast of Australia and both the truck and bus markets, Truck Tech Group has humble beginnings.

“I started Truck Tech back in 2007 out the back of my service ute,” Truck Tech founder and CEO Barry Saad told ABC

In the 17 years since Saad first began working on heavy vehicle services and repairs, Truck Tech Group has grown to span more than just trucks. While the business always puts its foot forward to work on truck repair, mechanical and preventative maintenance requirements, Truck Tech Group didn’t initiate its own entry into the bus market. Instead, the bus

IMAGES TRUCK TECH GROUP

industry came to Saad and his team.

“Back in 2014, we were approached for a tender to work in the bus industry that we took on,” Saad says.

“We started by working for State Transit Sydney buses, inspecting vehicles and slowly growing into the servicing and maintenance side.”

From there, Truck Tech also took on repair and engine reconditioning jobs for buses and coaches in New South Wales. Nowadays, the business also completes workshop-based repairs for operators as well as on-site jobs at bus depots around the state.

Cameron Ling is now leading Truck Tech’s growth footprint in the bus industry, bringing a wealth of experience in the sector to Truck Tech’s operations. With more than

Above: Truck Tech first worked on State Transit Sydney buses in the bus industry

Below: Truck Tech’s sanitation team became a key part of COVID work

17 years spent working in the bus industry, he has led and diversified Truck Tech’s dedicated bus division, now incorporating niche capabilities such as the servicing of articulated bus turntables.

While Truck Tech didn’t intend to enter the bus industry, Saad says that Ling and his team are now finding opportunities to evolve and complete a wider range of tasks for the sector.

“The growth into the bus and coach industry has seen us notice a gap in maintenance support for operator depots,” Saad says.

“Operators don’t tend to have someone to lean on when they need extra maintenance and repair support, so we support them, their staff and their workshops.

“It’s been such a great chance for the business to diversify and learn new skills.”

While Truck Tech continues to embrace more requirements for bus and coach companies in NSW, Saad says the most popular service the business has is completing on-site services and repairs. This often allows Truck Tech technicians to venture to operator depots or provide crucial workshop support for larger jobs.

If needed, Truck Tech also offers a pick-up and delivery service to operators where Truck Tech drivers pick up a bus in need of repair from the depot, take it back to a Truck Tech workshop for repairs before then dropping the bus back to the operator. Saad says this offering has

This same forward-thinking mindset is being taken to the zero-emissions transition. Saad says the focus on zero-emissions transport remains “very close to Truck Tech’s heart”, with the business running electric service vehicles and other zero-emissions models in its fleet.

“Our workshops are all solar-powered – we’re very committed to a sustainable future,” he says.

“Moving into the electric space is a passion of ours, so it was a no-brainer to focus on zero-emissions transport with buses.”

Truck Tech is now partnering with zero-emissions bus manufacturing companies such as BYD to service the latest range of battery electric

“There’s a huge opportunity for operators to buy electric and hydrogen assets, but no one is out there maintaining these vehicles really well after the sale,” he says.

“We are quickly becoming the maintenance and repair experts in the electric and hydrogen vehicle world for operators. We now have the capacity to repair all electric buses that we can in NSW and in Australia moving forward.”

Currently, Truck Tech’s truck services cover NSW, including Sydney and greater Metro, as well as the Central Coast region, and Victoria through its Dandenong site. In February, Truck Tech also opened up a workshop in Yatala, Queensland, with the brand now having more than 140 staff and over 70 service vehicles across Australia’s eastern coast. Truck Tech also has a nationwide network of sub-contractors to provide extensive coverage across Australia.

On the bus side, Saad is intent on expanding Truck Tech’s offering outside of NSW and further around the east coast to keep more new-age buses maintained and serviced. With Ling continuing to look after the bus side of Truck Tech, Saad is ready to ensure Truck Tech becomes a pillar of the Australian bus and coach servicing industry.

“With our current recruitment and internal training programs, Truck Tech is working towards becoming

Left: Truck Tech deeply focuses on its own staff

B elow: Truck Tech repairing an electric bus in Tasmania

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Family ties

Wales Truck and Bus Repairs may now be part of the wider AMA Group, but it’s still taking a personal approach to servicing the bus and coach industry

Australian truck and bus industries since 1982, when Barry Wales rented a shop in Smithfield and began repairing vehicles.

Starting in the collision repair industry, Wales quickly grew into a truck repair business. Two years into the business’ inception, Barry’s son Darren Wales joined the fold, beginning his journey at the company as a spray painter.

“When I first started at Wales Truck Repairs, I worked on the factory floor for 15 years,” Wales told ABC

“That evolved into running the company as a small-to-medium enterprise for 35 or so years.”

Over the decades, Wales Truck Repairs transitioned to become a popular repairer of Australian heavy vehicles. Always on the lookout for ways to grow the business, Wales spotted an opportunity roughly a decade ago to take the Wales name to a new industry – the bus repair sector.

“About 10 years ago, I saw a gap in the market and decided to start a dedicated bus repair facility,” he says.

“Situated in Smithfield, NSW,

into the new Smithfield site with the goal of expanding the brand’s repair capabilities into the bus and coach space. Lanham had contacts in the industry through a previous business he worked for, allowing the pair to identify the gap in the bus market and explore it.

“Rob was one of the main instigators in the company moving into bus repair,” Wales says.

“We decided to enlist a few dedicated bus people within the industry, and actively pursued them to come work for us with their contacts.”

This included bus stalwart Sam Travato, who brought his collision repair expertise in the bus and coach sector to Wales. He remained with Wales Truck and Bus Repairs until 2021, when he retired after more than 50 years spent in the greater bus industry.

This team allowed Wales to extend the Smithfield bus facility within two years of purchasing it. Nowadays, the five-acre site includes nearly 8,000 square metres of undercover space. With 95 employees working over

In 2019, AMA Group set its sights on expanding beyond passenger vehicle repair and into the heavy vehicle market. With collision repair facilities situated around the country, AMA Group got in touch with Wales Truck and Bus Repairs in a bid to expand into the heavy motor division.

“AMA Group approached us in 2019 and offered to purchase both the truck and bus sides of the company,” Wales says.

“With it, they gave me the chance to be the head of their heavy motor business unit that they were intent on expanding over the coming years.

“I took them up on that, and Wales Truck and Bus Repairs has been with the AMA Group ever since.”

Wales says he’d been satisfied that he’d taken the two sides of the business as far as he could for a private family company. This made the decision to join a publicly listed business a no-brainer. Since joining the AMA Group, Wales and his team have enjoyed the benefits of being part of a larger automotive group.

“The biggest difference since becoming part of AMA Group is the

reportability and accountability that comes with it,” Wales says.

“AMA Group have a very focused attitude when it comes to growth and safety, which directly aligns with our values.”

Safety was already a key pillar of Wales Truck and Bus Repairs, making it an easy transition for the team.

Wales says plenty of his existing team members from the family business have stayed on with the AMA Group, including team members that have been with Wales for up to 40 years.

Wales has eight dedicated heavy vehicle repair sites that work on both trucks and buses, including facilities in Townsville, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Victoria, South Australia and Perth. In Smithfield, Wales has two separate truck and bus sites, working independently on the different markets.

“All of these sites have the dedicated equipment and training facilities to repair all facets of buses and heavy vehicles,” Wales says.

“We offer all repair services, from the most minor of scratches to major incidents.”

Recently, Wales Truck and Bus Repairs has worked on jobs ranging from insurance requirements to bus rollover incidents. Wales also completes fabrication projects for bus operators and recently finished the retrofitting of seats and seatbelts for Transport for NSW.

“Joining AMA Group has allowed our bus repair business to grow so that we can increase the training of our team,” Wales says.

“We’re now going through a training program for electric and alternate powered buses around the country and we’ve got a dedicated electric charging station at our Smithfield site.”

This zero-emissions focus is set to be a critical part of Wales Truck and Bus Repairs’ evolution. Wales says he is working very closely with the bus industry, including aligning with hydrogen fuel-cell bus suppliers to train his team on how to work with these vehicles, to be ready for the zero-emissions transition.

While preparing for a sustainable future, Wales is also able to pause and relish the journey his family business

has been on in recent decades.

“I’m extremely proud of our team and their development in taking on challenges along the way,” Wales says.

“We’ve developed a lot of people throughout the years – our Smithfield truck centre manager started as a panel beater with us and now runs a multi-million dollar site by himself.

“It’s been a great journey so far and I cherish how we’ve developed people in the bus industry at all of our sites.”

Above: Wales’ Smithfield site now spans five acres

Unrivalled support

Tbodybuilder market is filled with a variety of brands. In January alone, 16 suppliers registered deliveries of bus bodies to local operators. As one of the leading bodybuilders in Australia, having delivered 20 vehicles in January, Irizar Asia Pacific is taking a different approach in its attempt to sit atop the bodybuilder leaderboard.

After ensuring its product is at a high quality, Irizar has put the focus on its approach to aftersales, servicing and maintenance to build its standing as a popular bodybuilder partner for Australia’s bus and coach sector.

“With the continual growth of sales that we’ve seen in the past year, we’ve focused on the service that Irizar provies to customers,” Irizar Asia Pacific aftersales service manager

Phillip Chapman told ABC

“I’ve been in the bus industry forever and I used to run a bus fleet for a long time, so I know what it’s like when you need help and how good it is to have support there.”

Previously, Irizar’s aftersales service and support came courtesy of a team using three servicing vans to reach customers. Through the vans, Irizar staff would complete

servicing vans gives Irizar seven in its fleet and lays the groundwork for more flexibility when it comes to serving customers.

The four new service fans takes its fleet number to seven

Below: Irizar’s aftersales

customers real support, while we’re looking to expand our servicing staff further into NSW and to Western Australia too.”

These service vans aren’t your normal type of vehicle. Inside, a workbench is surrounded by shelving that includes an array of tools and spare parts. These accessories range from sets of batteries, mirrors and other parts to minor electrical components. Whether it be tail lights or lights and lenses, the Irizar vehicles come with a wide range of tools and products onboard to help keep buses on the road.

When it comes to servicing, the addition of new vans are helping to overcome the constant challenge of varying locations of its regional customers, which can make getting to individual operators difficult. Irizar’s fleet of seven vans is helping ensure that customers don’t feel isolated when they need help along the way.

“These vans have been set up so that they can work on the road,” Chapman says.

“Irizar Australia managing director Steve Heanes decided to improve our customer support, so we got more vans in and set them up with spare parts so that Irizar technicians can jump start vehicles or help in other ways.

“The idea is that Irizar takes its service capabilities up a level so that

panels on the roof to charge boost batteries, can now plug straight into a 24V vehicle and jump start it if required. Alongside the power required for workbenches and other tools, the electrical fit out forms a key part of the innovative vans.

With a bolstered fleet, Chapman says the Irizar service and aftersales team can now complete a wide range of requirements for customers. Starting with contracted services, whether it be a minor service every three months or a minor body service once a year, the team can also complete contracted air-conditioning service alongside HVAC partner Hispacold.

Above: The van includes a variety of parts and components

“Our Victorian technician will go out to regional customers in the vans four times per year, spending a week with them to go through the body and make sure that everything is cleaned, lubricated and adjusted,” Chapman says.

“Bodies tend to get overlooked by operators – each key part of the body, like the doors, need to remain lubricated and adjusted so that they work effectively.”

These visits in the van also allow Irizar team members to provide vital training to operators, showing them what to keep an eye out for on the Irizar bodies. Once a year, Irizar will complete a major service, mainly for

Below: Irizar’s servicing of its bodies has been taken to a new level

faster and more flexible than before.

“The four new vans give us a more mobile fleet,” he says.

“A customer with V/Line buses in Bendigo can ask for help and we can quickly help them and remain flexible around our scheduled service appointments to keep everyone on the road.”

The arrival of the vans is also allowing Irizar to look at expanding its service and aftersales team.

Chapman says the current team features a wide range of skills across the bus and coach industry, but it can only improve with the addition of more service vehicles and staff.

The end goal is for Irizar to provide an unrivalled level of service and aftersales care to operators who choose to order

Grand opening

The local bus industry braved typical Queensland conditions in February to celebrate the opening of VDI Australia’s new Eagle Farm facility

It’s an expectedly sunny and humid day in Brisbane as members of the local bus industry convene in the new VDI manufacturing site in Brisbane’s Eagle Farm. As the sun

“We have an event in just over eight years in this city that will put us in the international spotlight, and the sustainability of our transport sector is one key feature being looked at,”

While the new VDI Eagle Farm facility was officially opened in February, it’s been developed over quite some time. With Yutong’s bus sales increasing by 60 per cent in Australia over the past five years, the previous Yutong centre was brought close to capacity.

To alleviate these pressures, VDI constructed the new facility to focus on vehicle manufacturing through its Driveable Knock Down (DKD) program. The program allows VDI to localise the assembly of Yutong buses for upcoming orders, starting with the E12 battery electric city route bus.

“Our new facility is triple the size of our previous one and it stands testament to our commitment to excellence and growth in serving our cherished customers,” VDI managing director Peter Woodward says.

“The main driving force in moving to this expanded facility is to make room for our DKD program, with Transport Canberra’s order of 90 Yutong E12s over three years giving us the confidence to set up the new

Under the DKD program, driveable knockdown Yutong models, such as the E12, will arrive in Brisbane from the Yutong factory in China. From there, VDI’s new facility will perform the

localised fit out, giving local jobs and content that combine with Yutong’s extensive research and development experience it has built over 25 years in the electric bus space.

Woodward says this move allows VDI to optimise its supply chain network, providing faster service and an improved parts inventory for local operators.

“Service capability is greatly improved with an increase in service capacity,” Woodward says.

“The advantage of this facility for businesses is that it connects them directly to the nerve centre of Yutong knowledge, giving them peace of mind that we have the solutions available to keep them on the road for longer.”

The new Brisbane facility and its official opening comes after VDI recently expanded its footprint across Australia to more than 15,000sqm space, including through its Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Cairns locations. With a growing market share in the nation’s bus sector, Woodward and the VDI team will use the DKD program and its new home to continue evolving in Australia and beyond.

The milestone is also a major moment for Brisbane City Council, who is in the midst of preparing for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. With roughly 1200 buses in its fleet, Brisbane City Council’s Eagle Farm depot is also very close to the new VDI Yutong Bus Centre.

“We’ve already got four Yutong vehicles in our fleet as part of the inner-city loop that are performing really well, so we’re looking forward to the opportunity to transition more of our fleet to zero-emissions buses,” Schrinner says.

“I’d like to congratulate VDI on its commitment and investing in manufacturing and assembling in the local area.”

The cutting of the ribbon of VDI’s latest facility was also attended by members from Yutong, reiterating the partnership between the two businesses in Australia.

Now opened, the VDI facility will also serve as a centre of excellence for technical training and engineering support for Yutong products. With the demand for electric buses in Australia set to continue building momentum, Woodward says VDI is responding to the changing landscape of the bus industry by providing zero-emissions buses that can be assembled locally and feature enhanced safety and reliable product offerings.

Our new facility is triple the size of our previous one and it stands testament to our commitment to excellence and growth in serving our cherished customers

“It’s truly amazing to see the before and after of these vehicles in the facility and the tremendous work of adding value that is being done,” Queensland shadow transport and main roads minister Steve Minnikin says.

“I want to acknowledge everyone who played a part in developing this brand new facility that looks absolutely wonderful.”

Despite the opening of the centre forming a milestone moment in

Council is looking to the likes of VDI and Yutong to help introduce exciting bus technology to the city’s streets.

“The scale and experience that Yutong brings in bus manufacturing is incredible – with more than 180,000 vehicles already servicing different parts of the world while having the ability to produce 80,000 vehicles per year, it’s mind-blowing and we appreciate Yutong’s interest in south-east Queensland,” Schrinner

Above: The new site will help support Yutong’s range of EV buses

Below: A range of Yutong buses will be finished at the new facility

Dream team

Initial orders have allowed BCI to launch a new partnership with two global

In the Australian bus and coach industry, collaboration is proving to be key. Unlike other areas of the heavy vehicle world, bus manufacturers and OEMs have a habit of combining to meet customer orders and provide new vehicle options.

This phenomenon is set to happen yet again in the local market, with Australian bus and coach supplier Bus & Coach International (BCI) partnering with two leading OEM suppliers on recent deliveries.

In a combination that aims to revolutionise the design, efficiency and sustainability of BCI buses in Australia, BCI will work with Volvo Bus and Scania to produce new models.

“I’m delighted to witness the culmination of our collaboration with Volvo Bus and Scania Bus, marking a pivotal moment for BCI,” BCI national sales manager Cameron Millen says.

“Witnessing firsthand the journey of Australian operators through Northern Europe and their positive reception to this partnership underscores its significance.”

with a chassis sourced from Sweden.

Australia

The origins of this new partnership lie in October last year, when BCI and a group of Australian operators made the trek to Brussels, Belgium to attend the BusWorld 2023 Expo. While there, the collective visited the Scania and Volvo Bus plants in the Swedish cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg

“Considering the commercial advantages of such an alliance, the opportunity for innovation and the benefits of sharing a powerful aftermarket network, it’s surprising that this possibility wasn’t considered in advance,” he says.

“The experience was very enriching for the group and immediately fueled the interest in acquiring vehicles from

Below:

The BCI quality body is available on a range of chassis options

heading off to Europe, the chance to visit the factories and understand the philosophy of the Scandivanian brands helped further progress the joint project.

“We’ve been working with BCI and Volvo for many years and we were eager to see the two products come together with developments to supply to Australian demands,” Go West Tours general manager Bradley Bunce told ABC

“We’re happy to see this combination that will provide the highest level of safety standards available in the product.”

While in Sweden, Bunce saw how his recent order of a Volvo chassis went through the final stages of production. Although there was no precedent for the combination in Australia, Bunce was convinced that his decision to order a Volvo and BCI vehicle was the right one.

“Our recent visit to the factory was remarkable,” he says. “Seeing the state-of-the-art facilities, combined with the hard work, dedication and innovation that the companies deliver was truly inspiring.”

Millen accompanied Bunce and the group of operators on their Swedish

journey. He came back to Australia impressed by the positive reception the commercial initiative received from the attendees.

“This initiative symbolises our commitment to innovation, sustainability and customer satisfaction,” Millen says.

The partnership was forged between BCI and the two chassis manufacturers separately, with BCI aiming to start a new era of cooperation that optimises the integration of chassis and body components. By combining the trio’s collective expertise, BCI aims to streamline production processes and enhance vehicle performance.

A primary objective of the alliance is to improve synergy between chassis and body designs in a bid to maximise structural integrity, safety and weight efficiency. Traditionally, chassis and body systems have been developed independently, which could lead to inefficiencies and compromise the overall vehicle performance.

By instead collaborating closely from the initial stages of vehicle development with Scandinavian OEM manufacturers, the Western Australian bodybuilder intends to eliminate any inefficiencies in the vehicle development process and optimise the interface between chassis and bodies.

The first fleet of Scania and BCI coaches went to Australian east coast operator Murrays at the end of 2023. The vehicles have commenced running transit contract services between Brisbane, Toowoomba and regional areas, with the new models featuring ADAS systems and using B100 biodiesel to reduce carbon emissions.

Since the start of the year, other Australian operators have continued expressing interest in the chassis-body combination, with Millen saying there’s a “huge number of orders” in full build or about to be delivered from the BCI factory.

From Scania’s side of the partnership, Scania Bus and Power Solutions director of sales Julian Gurney says the brand has enjoyed having BCI as a valued bodybuilding partner.

“With the Murray’s order the catalyst to kickstart the relationship, the BCI team has given us the confidence to secure additional volumes of stock vehicles with BCI,” Gurney told ABC

“The BCI aftersales network has given us and our clients the comfort that, between the two organisations,

we can support these buses for the full 20-to-25-year operational life for our contracted school bus operators.

“Scania will be looking to secure further sales opportunities with three-axle coaches and city bus chassis programs in the mix of stock units.”

Gurney says BCI’s experience in coaches for charter and rail operations across Australia has further solidified Scania’s confidence in the complete package that the pair will offer to customers.

With Go West securing the first Volvo and BCI combinations, Volvo Bus Australia general manager Mitch Peden says the brand is thrilled to be partnering with BCI to meet customer demands.

“The BCI sales and technical support available across Australia aligns with Volvo’s values of customer service and trust,” Peden told ABC flexibly with different bodybuilders to be able to provide our customers

Above: The BCI body is now being built on a Volvo chassis in Australia

Below: Operators can expect the same quallity finish on BCI bodies

with what they need for the varied operating conditions that our operator partners work in.

“With several Volvo and BCI vehicles already on the road, we’re confident and excited about this new business partnership.”

Millen says the new partnership represents a significant step forward in the Australian bus an coach industry’s innovation and sustainability journey. By joining forces, Millen intends to help revolutionise bus design, efficiency and performance to shape the future of mobility.

“We believe this collaboration will not only transform bus design and efficiency but also set new standards for safety and performance,” he says.

“The enthusiasm from operators like Murrays and Go West Tours further validates the value this alliance brings. We’re excited about the future possibilities and the positive impact it will have on our industry and the communities we serve.”

King Long

Bus Stop Sales and manufacturing partner King Long accelerated their success in January by providing their Australian-designed school charter bus to a local Queensland operator

IMAGES FASSIFERN COACHES

Momentum continues building for Bus Stop, as months of effort behind the scenes allowed the dealer to deliver 28 new vehicles in January alone. Bus Stop Sales national fleets general manager Stephen Long says the delivery number is a reward for the brand’s focus on the entire business in recent months.

“January was an exceptional month for us, courtesy of our operational team, who competed an amazing job at getting the buses customised to the required specifications,” Long told ABC

“From a growth perspective, we continue improving each month.”

This evolution was on display when Bus Stop Sales made a special local delivery to Fassifern Coaches. As part of the order, Bus Stop delivered 13 brand new King Long vehicles to the rapidly growing Queensland operator.

In August 2023, Fassifern Coaches was awarded the new transport service contract for Ipswich Grammar and Ipswich Girls Grammar Schools, with 13 of these new vehicles now servicing school bus runs for the two schools. Long says the process for this order started when Fassifern Coaches, led and owned by Giovanni (John) Musso, tendered for the two school bus transport contracts.

“I went with John and Fassifern chief

operating officer Marisa Lofaro to present the buses to the schools and took the principal and senior staff of each school on a test ride,” Long says.

“They loved our King Long 6120 model. Once John confirmed his tender was successful, we got to work to fulfil the order for Fassifern Coaches against significant time pressures.”

The new King Long coaches were delivered with 57 belted passenger seats, ZF European axles and a UK-made Cummins ISL engine. Long says Bus Stop ensured the vehicles were made and delivered to fit the timing required, drawing on its international experience with partner King Long to ensure the buses were perfect for the two schools.

“Bus Stop holds over a million dollars’ worth of European engine components and axles at the King Long factory to support customers needing quick deliveries,” Long says.

“This particular case was an amazing order, as it was a real team effort. We’ll continue putting our products into schools, mining and contractual work all around Australia.”

Long says the Fassifern Coaches management team, consisting of Musso and Lofaro, have been “amazing customers to work with” on the order, ensuring the supply of high-tech buses and innovative services to both schools.

Above: Fassifern has received 14 new King Long buses

Below: The Fassifern team loved the King Long product so much that they ordered an extra bus

saying that he’s receiving comments that the buses “look amazing”.

Musso believed in the King Long model to the point that he decided to go above and beyond the school tender, ordering an extra bus for charter requests. The addition of the vehicles and the contract is set to bring a significant expansion for the Fassifern Coaches team.

“I purchased Fassifern Coaches almost 20 years ago, when it had around 18 buses in its fleet and was based in Boonah, Queensland,” Musso told ABC

“We’re still there today at 112 Hoya Road, Boonah, but we now have around 60 vehicles undertaking school and charter operations all around the Scenic Rim and into Ipswich and the surrounding suburbs. A new depot located in Ipswich is now active due to this expansion.”

eye over the bus and coach market for

for his new school operation.

“I’d purchased King Longs in the past and liked several features. I saw the improvements made over the past 10 years and was impressed,” he says.

“I decided to take the 6120 model to the two schools and showcase their benefits, which helped us get over the line with their vehicle choice.

We had been operating two runs for the schools previously, so when the opportunity came up to tender for a new contract, we worked extremely hard to get the win.

“We are both proud and excited to have been awarded the tender and to grow the business in such a big way.”

These King Long vehicles are out early each school morning, leaving the depot from 5.30AM onwards to

as we have a unique product range that can cater to any needs and we have no boundaries as to what we can provide

late services that finish around 7.30PM four nights a week.

Musso says both the drivers and vehicles have been very busy quickly ticking over the hours and kilometres.

“For a school bus operation, the drivers are getting plenty of work,” he says.

These 13 school vehicles join four older King Long buses (purchased 10 years ago) in the Fassifern fleet. The extra 6120 unit was also purchased and transformed into a 70-seat passenger vehicle by Musso’s team.

The goal was for this extra bus to service large capacity charter requests. However, this vehicle has since been snapped up on a permanent run by another private

Having now received these buses, Musso says there are many aspects of the vehicles that impress him. In the finer details is where he’s found the most benefits.

“The air-conditioning unit is a real climate control and on a solid mount, so there are no issues with mounting it on a shaker plate,” Musso says.

“The six electric thermo fans provide a much more efficient system than a single hydraulic fan. This system is far superior.”

These features have convinced Musso that the King Long product has raised the bar over the years. It’s why he’s looking to invest further in Bus Stop and its King Long product.

“We’ve already begun conversations with the schools in relation to adding another two runs and hence two more King Long buses are in our sights,” he says.

On Long’s side, the Fassifern Coaches delivery is a highlight in his time at Bus Stop to date. He sees a simple recipe for success – the quality of King Long’s vehicles combined with a growing network of commercial and support team members. Add in increased aftersales support and huge steps in parts support and Bus Stop Sales is onto a winner.

“We’re only going to continue getting stronger, as we have a unique product range that can cater to any needs and no boundaries as to what we can provide,” Long says.

“We’re all about supplying an end-to-end solution to local businesses courtesy of fantastic supply partners like King Long, so it’s wonderful to keep offering transport solutions to our customers.”

Above: The Ipswich Grammar team with one of their new King Longs Below: The buses will run routes for both Ipswich Grammar and Ipswich Girls Grammar

Covering all bases

TransportME has become a

market-leading

Transit Management System and Driver Console Unit for bus and coach businesses IMAGES TRANSPORTME

As the managing director of family bus company Ryan’s Bus Service, Nigel Tooth was well aware of the frustrations bus and coach operators had jumping from different management systems to other programs.

In 2013, Tooth took action, founding TransportME and reinvigorating the transit management system (TMS) and driver console unit (DCU) spaces in the local bus and coach industry.

“Being an ex-bus operator myself, I knew how annoying these issues could be,” Tooth told ABC

“I wanted to be able to provide companies with a solution that allowed them to log in and then just complete their work from that point.”

When Tooth first started TransportME, he was still working at Ryan’s in Coffs Harbour, NSW. It involved many long nights and stressful early mornings, but Tooth’s intention was to create a clear and user friendly solution that would revolutionise the way companies operate buses and coaches in Australasia.

It took plenty of hard work to develop the solution while still leading the family business.

“There were a lot of 2AM knockoffs and 6AM wake-ups when I first started TransportME,” Tooth says.

“I was also doing this while being the managing director of our family bus company, so it was somewhat stressful trying to manage time.”

In the past decade, TransportME has grown from Tooth’s pipedream of creating a clear and accessible DCU for operators to making history in the Australian market. In just over 10 years, TransportME now has a wealth of clients onboard – including two government contracts – having forged new ground by providing the bus industry with a DCU that combines compliance tasks with ticketing operations and GPS tracking and route guidance.

“Connecting the DCU to the TMS in the office via the cloud was another gamechanger for bus companies,” Tooth says.

“It’s allowed for real-time reporting, GPS information and passenger data to be combined on the one system.

All of a sudden, vehicles, drivers and management were instantly connected and sharing information in real time.”

Tooth didn’t have to look far to

Above: Route guidance design mapping is able to provide drivers with route guidance for any service

witness the impact TransportME’s system is having on operators. At Ryan’s, Tooth has seen how the solution has become “a huge time saver”, with operators around the nation getting into contact with Tooth to contract TransportME’s services.

Nowadays, the TransportME suite includes a range of products that provide solutions for metro and regional public and school transport services across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The cloud-based solution doesn’t require any software to be pre-loaded, with the end-to-end system ensuring management have all the operating information and data tools at their fingertips to efficiently run operations without needing to jump to other systems.

Through TransportME’s TMS, operators can create routes and manage fares, SmartCards, drivers, vehicles, maintenance, compliance and instant messaging, to name a few.

“Our product ecosystem is the most diverse on the market, covering off on a TMS and DCU system,” Tooth says.

“With our revolutionary clear of bus check system, vehicle maintenance system, push to talk, student manifests, electronic driver/ vehicle handbooks and much more in the ticketing, compliance and GPS sectors, we cover a wide range of capabilities.”

This variety of abilities also gives rise to plenty of benefits for bus and coach operators. Tooth says the TransportME solution is the most cost-effective of its kind on the market, while it combines systems for areas like ticketing, reporting and vehicle maintenance that traditionally have been run by separate products.

“We solved all of this by pulling these needs together and creating the TransportME solution,” Tooth says.

“Operators have been able to reduce their time and paperwork immensely by moving into the TransportME digital age.”

This one-stop shop of transit management has always been at the heart of Tooth’s venture with TransportME. While he admits there’s still more developments to come, he’s satisfied that TransportME’s solution is constantly improving and that the company’s aftersales support and service is “second to none”.

“Most operators will be able to realise that TransportME does have it all,” he says.

we can solve the problems of a one-bus operator or a multi-national company with 500 vehicles, or even a government that needs a solution for their public passenger or school services.”

app as one of the company’s most enjoyable and exciting developments, while the formation of its own card based SmartCard ticketing solution was also a major moment in TransportME’s history.

Recent updates to the TransportME solution has allowed the system to play a huge role in accessibility in the bus industry, as the system allows operators to add vehicles with wheelchair accessibility, which is then displayed within the passenger app. The solution has also been engineered to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as per government contract requirements.

Tooth is now looking for the solution to further its market presence in the private school sector to improve this industry’s revenue, patronage information and safety compliance aspects.

“The defining aspect of the TransportME solution that stands out and keeps ahead of the competition is our ever-growing product ecosystem,” Tooth says.

“There is no other offering that can compete with our product suite, which is comprehensive and the most cost effective. Clients love that we can tick off on all of their needs.”

To keep information secure, TransportME also holds both ISO27001 (information security) and ISO9001 (quality management system) certifications to give peace of mind to clients. All of this has allowed the company to exceed Tooth’s initial goal of having around 600 vehicles to build on to reach a current fleet of more than 3500 vehicles. TransportME has 10 employees

Now, TransportME’s client base ranges from large government bodies to international operators like Kinetic, Keolis Downer and ComfortDelGro Corporation, as well as long serving clients in Martins Albury, Osborns Transport, Hannafords Bus Service, Southern Cross Transit and Warrnambool Bus Lines.

“Without the support and help of clients such as these, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Tooth says.

This client base is only set to grow as TransportME prepares to expand its Australasian footprint into global markets courtesy of new updates. Starting with its recently completed Vehicle Maintenance System (VMS) and Route Guidance System (TRG) updates, TransportME will also soon release its Shifts/Rosters/Charter (SRC) module before turning its attention to an electronic work diary (EWD) and student database (TSD).

It’s all being developed with the goal in mind of continuing to provide a helpful tool for many bus and coach operators.

“We’ll continue improving our solution with developments such as TODIS/Hastus importing ability, Portal Sync work and various other improvements,” Tooth says.

“We want to ensure we’re always market leaders with our next-gen solution while also meeting the needs and changes that the bus industry requires.”

Above: The TransportME Vehicle Maintenance System ensures up to date servicing with its service calendar Left: Passengers

Constantly evolving

Webfleet has become a solution of choice for many bus operators in Australia. While the brand’s range of products and software services have cost benefits for operators, they’re also improving the safety of bus drivers, passengers and pedestrians

It’s been nearly five years since Bridgestone acquired Webfleet in 2019. The following investment and focus enabled Webfleet to flourish in Australia due to Bridgestone’s objective of being at the forefront of mobility with a broad range of vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions.

While devices such as Webfleet’s LINK 245 and LINK 740 have advanced the monitoring of vehicles and driver patterns, Webfleet’s CAM 50 artificial intelligence (AI) dashcam has extended the capabilities of Webfleet’s solution. Since its launch in 2021, Webfleet Australia and New Zealand marketing manager Scott Elkington says the CAM 50 dashcam has continued to evolve for bus and coach operators.

“We’re constantly adding new

WORDS JOSHUA WARD IMAGES WEBFLEET

features and developing the CAM 50,” Elkington told ABC

“The CAM 50 is pretty advanced – it was built as a hardware platform to support future advancements in AI technology.”

The unit features multiple cameras; a primary camera, an infrared camera for clear footage capture at night, and an advanced AI camera. Elkington

Above: Webfleet’s latest technology makes fleet monitoring easy

Below: The CAM 50 uses AI technology to keep vehicles and people safe

says the AI camera provides accurate readings of subtle events for drivers such as driver distractions or hazards ahead, while its IP69K-certified performance means the CAM 50’s auxiliary camera, the AUX 50, isn’t a fragile piece of technology. Instead, it can survive the most demanding conditions.

Connecting to Webfleet, the CAM 50 gives new data and insights through cloud-based tools such as Webfleet’s OptiDrive (when paired with a LINK telematics device), an advanced driver behaviour and performance analysis engine, helping operators create better targeted driver training programs to improve safety.

Elkington says the CAM 50 has been popular among Australian fleets, particularly those in areas with

high-risk or busy road networks.

Elkington says the model’s ability to improve vehicle, driver and passenger safety has been the key to its success. He says the CAM 50 can “read” the road ahead through its outward-facing camera, detecting hazards and helping bus drivers navigate them safely.

Bus driver and passenger safety is a priority for Webfleet and its CAM 50. With its driver-facing camera, the CAM 50 can also detect dangerous driver behaviours such as mobile phone use, eating while driving and no seatbelt use.

It can also play a crucial role in driver safety by detecting driver distraction events, helping ensure everyone onboard or around the bus remains in safe hands.

Recently, Webfleet added lane drift detection to its CAM 50, remotely upgrading customers’ CAM 50s out in the field. If a bus crosses lane boundaries more than three times in 30 seconds (a configurable setting), an alert is generated for the driver and an event is logged for fleet management.

“The CAM 50 can also read those very subtle indicators of when it might be time for a break, particularly for bus drivers who may be at the end of a long shift or are zoning out a little,” Elkington says.

“It can pick up tail-gating and general distractions, providing an alert of what it detects to the driver so they can take self-corrective action.”

In the same update, Webfleet enabled new wake-up functionalities on input/output (IO) triggers, such as door opens, capturing footage even when the bus has been switched off.

“A lot of dash cams require the engine to be on in order to record, but the CAM 50’s I/O activation means you’ll always get footage from key activators you choose – door opens, monitor activations, cabin lighting –anything,” Elkington says.

“Sometimes an incident might occur when a bus is sitting at a stop if someone forces entry and assaults the driver, or the bus is parked and gets hit, so we think it’s important to have the camera on for those critical moments.”

Elkington says a CAM 50 can now also be remotely activated through Webfleet’s dashboard to provide a live view, even when the bus is turned off, to see the vehicle’s status or if a safety incident has occurred.

The CAM 50’s integrated alert button also enables drivers to record any event at the push of a button,

ensuring the last moments of footage have been captured and stored in the cloud.

For a wider field of view, Webfleet offers the AUX 50 camera, where up to four additional cameras can be installed in addition to the CAM 50 on a vehicle. Elkington says this gives operators improved visibility around the whole vehicle, better documentation of events and the furthering of capabilities available via

“The CAM 50 is designed as a forward-thinking platform – we can update its software remotely, ensuring any improvements or new advancements to underlying AI technology can be applied without needing a new device,” Elkington says.

“What we’ve seen in the past three years is the continued expansion of its AI capabilities. It’s the same camera, but it continues to do more and more.”

Above: The CAM 50 can now be remotely activated through Webfleet’s dashboard

Below: The CAM 50 c aptures an array of driver behaviour

Tackling big issues

The 2024 QBIC conference in early April will discuss how the state’s political landscape is set to impact the bus and coach sphere

trends and challenges in a relaxed atmosphere to benefit the local bus industry.

In 2024, amid local and state elections, the conference will spotlight the evolving political landscape’s impact on Queensland’s transport future. State Transport Minister Bart Mellish and opposition spokesperson Steve Minnikin will outline their respective visions for passenger transport over the next four years.

With safety also a key focus, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto and Passenger Transport Integration General Manager Suzanne Rose will address significant safety and compliance measures for operators.

The 2024 QBIC state conference will be held on April 5–6, marking the onset of significant industry transformation in Queensland.

To be held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, the conference will delve into diverse

regulatory shifts that are set to impact operators and supply partners. The conference will be attended by industry leaders, policy makers and opinion-makers to discuss ideas,

The conference pledges to deliver comprehensive insights to the industry with necessary details to begin crafting strategic business approaches and ensuring operational stability in the years ahead.

Bus industry calendar of events 2024

Be sure not to miss out on an opportunity to attend these fantastic in-person events

April

APRIL 5-6

QBIC

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND GALA DINNER

May

MAY 13

BusNSW

DELEGATES FORUM

MAY 15-17

Busworld

BUSWORLD SOUTH EAST ASIA –JAKARTA

June

JUNE 8

QBIC REGIONAL MEMBER FORUM GYMPIE

JUNE 20-27

BusNSW

ASSOCIATE MEMBER SEMINARS AND COMMITTEE/ BRANCH MEETINGS

July

JULY 11-12

BusWA

APTIA BREAKFAST, BUS SHOW AND AGM

JULY 20

QBIC

REGIONAL MEMBER FORUM CHINCHILLA

JULY 27

BusVic

80TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER

SOVEREIGN ROOM, MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE

August

AUGUST 5

BusWA

REGIONAL TRIPS BEGIN

AUGUST 9

QBIC

FUTURE LEADERS LUNCHEON

AUGUST 30

BusNSW

NEXTGEN LEADERS FORUM

September

SEPTEMBER 6

BusWA

REGIONAL TRIPS END

SEPTEMBER 17-18

BIC

NATIONAL BUS AND COACH SHOW

BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE

October

OCTOBER 1-3

BCA

NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE, DUE DROP EVENTS CENTRE, AUCKLAND

OCTOBER 9-10

BusNSW 2024 MEMBER CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 18-19

QBIC

CAIRNS REGIONAL MEMBER FORUM

OCTOBER 29-31

BusNSW TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND AGM

November

NOVEMBER 8

QBIC

REGIONAL MEMBER FORUM

NOVEMBER 14-15

BusNSW

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS SEMINAR AND PARTNER’S LUNCH

NOVEMBER 20-22

BIC

NATIONAL CONFERENCE, HOBART

December

DECEMBER 2

BusNSW

DELEGATES FORUM AND CHRISTMAS FUNCTION

BEST BUS COMPETITION

SCAN QR CODE TO PARTICIPATE

Send in your best bus or coach photos to feature in next month’s magazine.

WINNER

Esperance entertainer

Best Bus winner, brought to you by VDI, is based out on the beautiful beaches of Australia’s west coast

Murray River. Taken in December, 2022 during floods, the photo is a very worthy honorary mention.

Liam Green also impressed with his photo of a new King Long at Connect Coaches, while Rod Butcher’s image from the Mount Connor lookout includes an eye-catching reflection of Uluru. To finish the finalists, Steven Stavridis once again submitted a great shot of a StavLink Transit coach on the move.

None of these finalists could match Watkins, who won for his photo of a Mercedes-Benz/Irizar i6 coach in Esperance. The bus is part of a new fleet that arrived in Perth at Kinetic in late 2022, with the bus being filled with cruise ship passengers.

“With Esperance being one of my

favourite destinations, I jumped at the chance to drive the bus and take a photo,” Watkins told ABC

“Twilight Beach is in the background, we proceeded to tour Cape Le Grand National Park the next day and see its stunning beaches.” Following his win, Watkins has received a free 12-month subscription to ABC Magazine, while the winning photo is live as ABC ’s Facebook page cover photo for all of March.

If you want to be like Watkins and have your best photo shown off courtesy of Best Bus, brought to you by VDI Australia, then don’t forget to send through your photos for April and the rest of 2024 via our website or by keeping an eye on our Facebook page for more details.

Above:

A ripper of a drone shot by Lachlan Pickering from Swan Hill Bus Lines Right: Liam Green’s nifty Connect Coaches shot

VI Diesel

Right: Steven Stavridis’ StavLink special Below: Rod Butcher captured a Bayside Coaches vehicle in front of a landmark

TForging forward

It’s a consistent start to 2024 for Australian bus and coach deliveries as the market continues to deliver at high volumes

he Australian bus and coach industry has fallen into a state of consistency with its deliveries, continuing on its January momentum with an equally impressive February.

While there were 137 deliveries in January, the February numbers remained high as there were 135 units delivered last month.

After a strong start to the year, it was a dominant February for Volvo, who dominated the chassis market with 47 deliveries for the month. Yutong maintained its momentum with 24 units delivered, while Scania wrapped up the top three with 21 deliveries. Behind that was an even pack led by King Long (nine), who maintained distance from I-Bus, Custom Denning and BYD, who all finished with six deliveries. Mercedes-Benz recorded the five units delivered, while BCI (four) and BLK (three) finished narrowly ahead of MAN and Challenger, who both delivered two units apiece.

In the widely dispersed bodybuilder market, leader Volgren continued to flex its muscles at the top. Following its 36-delivery January with a further 33 in February, Volgren maintained its lead over the likes of Yutong (24), Irizar (23) and Custom Denning (12). Next best was King Long with the nine deliveries, keeping ahead of I-Bus and

The air-conditioning market continues to remain tightly contested, with Thermo King taking the honours for February with 39 deliveries

Express Coaches with six deliveries each, while BCI and BLK couldn’t be split with four deliveries apiece. In an even finish, as always, Gemilang and Coach Concepts, with three deliveries each, stayed ahead of the final eight deliveries that were split between five brands.

The same superpower emerged in the seating market in February, with McConnell having an impressive month with 49 deliveries. It nearly doubled the second-placed Sege, who had a productive February in its own right with 27 deliveries. Next best was Yutong with 24, while StyleRide doubled its January efforts with the 16 units recorded in February. King Long remained consistent with nine deliveries, while APM (six) stayed clear of Fainsa (two), Precision Bus (one) and Marcopolo (one) to wrap up the market for the month.

The air-conditioning market continues to remain tightly contested, with Thermo King taking the honours

Above:

King Long continued to build on its momentum to start 2024 with nine deliveries in February. Image: Bus Stop Sales.

Turn overleaf for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for February. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, at their discretion.

for February with 39 deliveries. Fighting for second was Cling-Yutong and Hispacold, who couldn’t be split with 24 deliveries each. Behind the duelling pair was Coachair (13), who finished just ahead of Valeo (12) and King Long (nine). Songz had a strong February with six deliveries, while MCC, Konvekta, Spheros and Denso all recorded two units delivered apiece.

In January, Victoria and Queensland fought for the top spot in the state-based game, but in February, it was all one-way traffic for the Victorians. With 55 deliveries recorded in a mammoth February, Victoria was well ahead of the second-placed NSW with 29 deliveries. Trailing behind was Western Australia (21) and Queensland (19), while South Australia remained consistent with the seven units. Tasmania enjoyed three deliveries in February, while the ACT recorded the single delivery.

Seat delivery units

The same superpower emerged in the seating market in February, with McConnell having an impressive month with 49 deliveries. It nearly doubled the second-placed Sege, who had a productive February in its own right with 27 deliveries. Next best was Yutong with 24, while StyleRide doubled its January efforts with the 16 units recorded in February. King Long remained consistent with nine deliveries, while APM (six) stayed clear of Fainsa (two).

Sales by region

Sales by body

In the widely dispersed bodybuilder market, leader Volgren continued to flex its muscles at the top. Following its 36-delivery January with a further 33 in February, Volgren maintained its lead over the likes of Yutong (24), Irizar (23) and Custom Denning (12). Next best was King Long with the nine deliveries, keeping ahead of I-Bus and Express Coaches with six deliveries each, while BCI and BLK couldn’t be split with four deliveries apiece.

Sales by Air-Conditioner

The air-conditioning market continues to remain tightly contested, with Thermo King taking the honours for February with 39 deliveries. Fighting for second was Cling-Yutong and Hispacold, who couldn’t be split with 24 deliveries each. Behind the duelling pair was Coachair (13), who finished just ahead of Valeo (12) and King Long (nine). Songz had a strong February with six deliveries, while MCC, Konvekta, Spheros and Denso all recorded two units delivered apiece.

Sales by chassis

It was a dominant February for Volvo, who dominated the chassis market with 47 deliveries for the month. Yutong maintained its momentum with 24 units delivered, while Scania wrapped up the top three with 21 deliveries. Behind that was an even pack led by King Long (nine), who maintained distance from I-Bus, Custom Denning and BYD, who all finished with six deliveries. Mercedes-Benz recorded the five units delivered, while BCI (four) and BLK (three) finished narrowly ahead of MAN and Challenger, who both delivered two units apiece.

Preserving history

Redline Coaches has a rich history in Tasmania, dating back nearly 100 years.

Founded by Percy and Stella Larissey, it grew into one of Tasmania’s biggest operators, providing coach and charter services across Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, Launceston and Smithton.

While Redline’s time as an operator may’ve ended in 2021, its legacy lives on through Australasian bus operator Kinetic. In February, Kinetic cemented that legacy by donating one of Redline’s buses to the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society.

Built by the Pressed Metal Corporation in Adelaide in 1990, the 41-seater coach is the last remaining of approximately 10 vehicles originally built in a configuration to travel the west coast of Tasmania.

“We’re very proud as Redline has a rich history of more than 90 years in Tasmania,” Kinetic Tasmania general manager Andrew Grzinic told ABC

“The majority of our Tasmania team also came over from Redline in the acquisition, so a lot of them understand what the vehicle was used

For many years, Tasmania’s Redline buses played an essential role in the working lives of its people. Kinetic is helping preserve that history with its latest donation to the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society

IMAGES KINETIC

for and actually operated it.”

For more than 30 years, the bus was part of the everyday lives of Tasmanians. While providing users passage to Tasmania’s west coast, it also delivered fresh food, mail, medical supplies and urgent mechanical parts to remote and rural communities in the region.

Grzinic says the bus was used for many other passenger services, charter works and school tours along with transporting people from Hobart Airport.

Kinetic first earmarked the potential to refurbish and donate the bus to the society when it entered Tasmania’s bus industry. After four

Above left: The Redline vehicle is part of Kinetic’s Tasmanian fleet

Above right: Andrew Grzinic (left) with Neil Robins (right)

Below: Kinetic took its time to restore the vintage Redline bus

years of meticulous work by Kinetic’s Launceston and Devonport workshop staff, its work came to fruition.

The works undertaken on the bus included the replacement of its timber and vinyl flooring, necessary mechanical works to ensure the vehicle’s roadworthiness, reupholstering seats and completely stripping and respraying the vehicle. Grzinic says his team’s dedication to finding the required materials ensured the bus’ authenticity was maintained.

“Restoring this bus has been a labour of love for our team, and we’re thrilled to see it hit the road again as a lasting legacy for Tasmania,” Grzinic says.

The bus will now become a permanent living exhibit for the Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society. It also made a public appearance at the Exeter Agricultural Show on February 24 and is set to appear at the Longford Truck Run and the South East Suns Truck show in Sorell later this year.

Tasmanian Bus and Coach Society secretary Neil Robins says Redline holds a special place in Tasmanian hearts for the important role it played in the state’s everyday lives.

“It’s essential we preserve Redline’s history and make it accessible to people,” Robins says.

As it continues to grow its name in Tasmania, Grzinic says there could be more restoration works and donations similar to this one in the near future.

“We have current members who are volunteers with the historical society that have a keen interest in the preservation of our fleet and vehicles,” Grzinic says.

“In the future, donations similar to this one to the society could be something we look into.”