RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Electric buses bound for Cairns

13th April 2022

The Palaszczuk Government is driving Queensland's low-emissions transport future with five electric buses hitting the streets of Cairns next month.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it builds on the Palaszczuk Government's recently released Zero Emissions Vehicle strategy.

"We've made a commitment that every new bus in South East Queensland would be zero emission from 2025, so to see it happening now is a fantastic achievement," Mr Bailey said.

"That commitment expands to our regions between 2025 and 2030."

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the arrival of the buses was part of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to reach net-zero by 2050.

"Having emissions free buses here in Cairns is fantastic not only for our local environment, but for all of Queensland," Mr Healy said.

"Transport is the second biggest emitter in Queensland but is rapidly evolving to embrace zero emissions technology.

"Our research shows each electric bus could save as much as 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifespan and deliver many community benefits with less noise and harmful air pollution."

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the electric buses will be a welcome addition to the Cairns public transport network.

"Electric buses are better for the environment and mean people will be breathing in fresher, cleaner air when they are walking around," Mr Crawford said.

"We've had some electric buses in SEQ since April last year, so to now see them arriving in Cairns is fantastic news.

"Queensland is seizing the opportunities to act on climate change, create jobs and set Queensland in a nation-leading position for the future."

Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said protecting the environment was especially important in Far North Queensland, home to the Great Barrier Reef.

"We know climate change is impacting the reef so to be taking direct action on climate change with zero emissions buses is an important step forward for Far North Queensland," Mr Pitt said.

"I'm sure customers across the Far North will enjoy riding on the new buses knowing that the project is playing an important role in the future of public transport in this state."

Kinetic Co-CEO Adam Begg said Kinetic was excited to partner with TransLink to enhance the public transport experience and make bus travel greener and cleaner.

"This year alone we'll be introducing 20 zero emission buses to Queensland roads across Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast," Mr Begg said.

"We congratulate the Queensland Government on its leadership transitioning bus networks to greener, cleaner technologies and we're proud to bring to the table our experience operating zero emissions buses in other major cities including in Auckland, Christchurch and soon in Melbourne."

ENDS

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Electric buses bound for the Sunshine Coast

3th April 2022

The Palaszczuk Government is driving Queensland's low-emissions transport future with five electric buses soon hitting the streets of the Sunshine Coast.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it builds on the Palaszczuk Government's recently released Zero Emissions Vehicle strategy.

"We've made a commitment that every new bus in South East Queensland would be zero emission from 2025, so to see it happening now is a fantastic achievement," Mr Bailey said.

"That commitment expands to our regions between 2025 and 2030."

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the arrival of the buses was part of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to reach net-zero by 2050.

"Having emissions free buses here on the coast is fantastic not only for our local environment, but for all of Queensland," Mr Skelton said.

"Transport is the second biggest emitter in Queensland but is rapidly evolving to embrace zero emissions technology.

"Our research shows each electric bus could save as much as 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifespan and deliver many community benefits with less noise and harmful air pollution."

Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said the electric buses will be a welcome addition to the Cairns public transport network.

"Electric buses are better for the environment and mean people will be breathing in fresher, cleaner air when they are walking around," Mr Hunt said.

"We've had some electric buses in other parts of SEQ since April last year, so to now see them arriving on the Sunshine Coast is fantastic news.

"Queensland is seizing the opportunities to act on climate change, create jobs and set Queensland in a nation-leading position for the future.

"I'm sure customers across the coast will enjoy riding on the new buses knowing that the project is playing an important role in the future of public transport in this state."

Kinetic Co-CEO Adam Begg said Kinetic was excited to partner with TransLink to enhance the public transport experience and make bus travel greener and cleaner.

"This year alone we'll be introducing 20 zero emission buses to Queensland roads across Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast," Mr Begg said.

"We congratulate the Queensland Government on its leadership transitioning bus networks to greener, cleaner technologies and we're proud to bring to the table our experience operating zero emissions buses in other major cities including in Auckland, Christchurch and soon in Melbourne."

ENDS

The Gold Coast depot is the former Skybus depot in the industrial area around the back of Currumbin (Skybus is no longer operating on the Gold Coast or to Byron).

I make that 125 electric buses committed to for Queensland so far

- 64 for BCC (4 currently operating on the City Loop, 60 coming for Brisbane Metro at the dedicated Rochedale depot)
- 16 for Hornibrook
- 12 for Carbridge (12 currently operating on non-TransLink services at Brisbane Airport)
- 10 for Surfside
- 10 for Clarks
- 5 for Sunbus Sunshine Coast
- 5 for Sunbus Cairns
- 2 for Logan Coaches (2 currently operating on the 587)
- 1 for Transdev (1 currently operating, across their whole network)

Only about another 2,500 to 3,000 to go.  They could do it in 10 years if they were really committed, and the displaced diesel buses could make more of the regional urban and school fleet accessible.

I wonder what BCC will do? Convert an existing depot to all electric or build a dedicated electric bus depot other than the one at Rochedale for Brisbane Metro.

^ I expect they will need to install charging infrastructure at every depot, and upgrade the mains power supply to accommodate that.

They should also be looking to set up another 2-3 depots.  There is every chance based on the overseas experience that depots with smaller vehicle allocations will be easier to provision for this (and less likely to suffer catastrophic fires), in addition to smaller depots in the right locations meaning less dead running.

Sunshine Coast Electrics will be based out of the Caloundra depot, thus I suspect it'll be mostly seen on the 600s, with appearances on the 602, 603, 604, 605, 607 and 609.

These are the same basic models as the 4 that BCC have.

I hope to god the interior fitout is better than the BCC versions.  The interior staircase is enormous (it doesn't even need one to begin with), and you can only comfortably sit in the seats over the rear wheel-well if you have calves no longer than 30cm long. 

BCC needs to stop procuring buses where you end up with your knees in your chin.  Very easy to solve - just place that row of seats either facing the rear or laterally.

Quote from: ozbob on June 12, 2022, 08:44:19 AM

Looks like it's still high floor based on the vent at the back... Full low floor electric busses exist across the pond. Why not here?

Despite not being all low floor it's still a good outcome. I hope they put a few on around Brisbane.

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1541635607859830784

ABC News--->Gold Coast school jumps onboard electric school bus trial to inspire curious young minds

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2022/801-2022.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 801
Asked on 17 August 2022

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to each current trial of electric buses by TransLink and qConnect service
providers—
Will the Minister advise (a) the number of buses in the trial, (b) the make and model of vehicles
being trialled and (c) the amount of State Government funding provided?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

The Palaszczuk Government has made a commitment that from 2025 all new urban buses in
South East Queensland will be zero emission buses, and for regional Queensland,
implementation will begin between 2025–2030.

In line with this commitment, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has
commenced the roll-out of electric buses across the Translink public transport network. TMR is
currently trialling five electric buses on the Sunshine Coast. The current trial includes five Yutong
E12 buses with a 422kWh battery. Sunbus Sunshine Coast is operating the buses. Under a
service contract, the funding provided to upgrade the depot and operate the five electric buses is
$1.95 million from the 2022–23 financial year to 2027–28 financial year. This includes an
indexation of 2.5 per cent per annum.

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1588369089827057664

Queensland ALP State Conference is on this weekend.

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1588681189367635968

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1588681196359520257

The new Volgren electric buses running route 777 on the GC are excellent. I've been on them a few times now. Smooth and quiet, as you would expect from an electric motor. Decent sized luggage racks for airport passengers and internal PIDs!


 

Quote from: LRV 018 on November 09, 2022, 18:15:01 PMThe new Volgren electric buses running route 777 on the GC are excellent. I've been on them a few times now. Smooth and quiet, as you would expect from an electric motor. Decent sized luggage racks for airport passengers and internal PIDs!


 

Good pics. 👍

What's their range and how are they being recharged?

Quote from: #Metro on November 09, 2022, 19:56:16 PMWhat's their range and how are they being recharged?

https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/2211/kinetic-introduces-10-new-electric-buses-to-gold-coast-in-partnership-with-queensland-government

Quote"Earlier this year I was lucky enough to visit the depot where these 10 new buses will recharge each day, which is fully powered by renewable energy," Scanlon says.

"We expect the buses to travel about 300 kilometres a day, and all 10 can be charged up at the depot simultaneously. I can't wait for Gold Coasters to get onboard."

I'm sure I saw something on their first day in service in a press release / announcement that stated they last a whole shift before needing a recharge. After a quick search, I couldn't find the exact story. This is the closest I could find.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2022/1370-2022.pdf

QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 1370
asked on 10 November 2022

DR A MACMAHON ASKED THE MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
MANUFACTURING AND MINISTER FOR WATER (HON G BUTCHER)—

QUESTION:

With reference to the electric buses to be manufactured in Queensland, as described
by the Premier in Parliament on 9 November 2022—

Will the Minister advise if these buses will have the following specific accessibility
features (a) audio stop announcements, (b) hearing loop technology and (c) the ability
to secure (e.g. tie down) wheelchairs?

ANSWER:

The Queensland Government has strong commitments to accessibility on public
transport. The government is also committed to reducing carbon emissions including
through the Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022 (ZEV Strategy). This
includes a commitment that every Translink-funded bus added to the urban fleet will
be a zero-emissions bus from 2025 in South East Queensland, and from 2025–2030
across regional Queensland.

The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW) is
working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to prepare a ZEV
Industry Roadmap. The Roadmap aims to build ZEV manufacturing and supply chain
capabilities by providing a framework to for research, innovation, manufacturing and
supply chain capabilities and for identifying future skills training needs.

In reference to the Member's question, the matter raised relates to electric buses which
is within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

https://twitter.com/Transport_CBR/status/1606046992358055936

I believe from what has been talked about this is a long time coming. It's great though that they are finally rolling them out in the ACT.

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1613694817409855488

Media Release  (not online)

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Electrifying addition to Queensland's bus fleet

13th January 2023

Queensland's public transport network is powering on to a greener future with the addition of 17 electric buses to Transdev's fleet.

Translink has worked with Transdev to order the buses, with the first scheduled to start services in February before the other 16 buses progressively join the network.

Locally-sourced solar at Transdev's Capalaba depot will help power the buses, which will service Brisbane's eastern suburbs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the buses were being built locally at Volgren's Eagle Farm manufacturing facility on Brisbane's northside, with each bus built supporting five jobs at Volgren.

"These 17 new electric buses will play a key role in helping us hit our emissions reduction targets, so it's great to see the rollout is about to begin," Mr Bailey said.

"While these buses are making public transport more sustainable, they're also supporting good, secure jobs in Brisbane.

"We're not stopping here either – from 2025, all new buses on the South East Queensland urban network will be zero-emissions buses, while regional implementation will begin between 2025 and 2030.

"We're delivering better services throughout the state, helping Queenslanders move around in a sustainable, safe and efficient way."

Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said the announcement is more evidence that the Queensland manufacturing sector is a nation and world-leader.

"Manufacturing contributes more than $20 billion a year to the Queensland economy and moves like this mean that number will only grow.

"Queensland manufacturers are the best of the best and I've always said if we can make it here at home, then we should.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing these Transdev buses on Queensland roads."

Member for Capalaba Don Brown said the 17 new buses would mean around one-fifth of Transdev's fleet would be zero-emissions vehicles.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing our new electric buses, made locally and powered by local renewables, hitting the streets of Capalaba," Mr Brown said.

"These new buses form part of the Palaszczuk Government's almost $3.9 billion road and transport plan for Greater Brisbane over the next four years, supporting 3,280 good, secure jobs.

"It's a great example of our commitment to making travel easier across the state and helping Queenslanders enjoy our great lifestyle."

Transdev Queensland Managing Director Mark McKenzie said he was proud to be working with the Queensland Government and suppliers to deliver a greener bus fleet.

"These new buses are quieter and fully featured vehicles which I hope our Redlands customers will enjoy," Mr McKenzie said.

"Major depot work is underway now including cabling, utilities and new vehicle chargers to set us up for our electric and hydrogen-based future.

"This is also about upskilling our local workforce in this renewable energy space with technical skills that will be transferrable to other industries.

"We hope the work we are doing with Translink provides an indicator of suitable specifications for operators moving to zero-emission buses in the future."

Transdev was the first operator to run Australia's first 100 per cent sustainably powered full-size electric bus powered by a depot solar array with more than 230 solar panels.

Fast Facts: 17 new zero-emission electric buses for the Redlands Dual motor, 300kW power, 12.5m Volvo BZL buses 43 seats per bus Manufactured in Australia Powered by a 234-solar panel depot array.

Head online to the Translink website or call 13 12 30 for more information on public transport.

ENDS

In Queensland --> It's electrifying: New buses for Redlands spark zero-emission overhaul

QuoteRedland City is to receive the first of 17 new electric powered buses from next month, the start of a transition to make all new additions to Brisbane's Transdev urban fleet zero-emission within two years. ...

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1613705783845466112

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1613769175167827968

Media Release - not online
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Building Queensland's zero emission bus future
8th March 2023

The number of zero emission buses across Queensland's network will more than double in the coming months as the Palaszczuk Government powers towards a low emissions future.

A total of 25 battery electric buses are currently operating in Yarrabilba, Redland Bay, Cairns and on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said an additional 40 zero emission buses will progressively launch in Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Redland Bay and on the Sunshine Coast throughout 2023.

"We are getting on with the job of rolling out more sustainable buses in Queensland to meet our zero-emissions targets," Mr Bailey said.

"We're doing this right now which is supporting more electric buses to hit the road, but we're also planning for the future and looking to build more zero emissions buses here.

"Earlier this year we announced that we'd be looking to manufacturer more zero emissions buses right here in Queensland, and the feedback we've had from industry has been incredibly strong.

"We invited the market to come and talk to us, and what we saw was 70 different businesses and organisations come along to our industry roundtable discussions.

"We heard from energy suppliers, tech businesses and delivery partners who all want to be a part of a greener, more sustainable bus industry.

"Engagement with industry has been a vital step in developing Queensland's bus manufacturing policy so it supports the transition to a greener transport future.

"The Palaszczuk Government has made a commitment that from 2025 every new government funded urban bus added to the SEQ fleet will be zero-emissions, and in the regions from between 2025 and 2030."

Keolis Downer is set to launch 16 battery electric buses on Hornibrook Bus Lines' network covering Moreton Bay. The new buses will operate out of a new all-electric bus depot built in North Lakes.

Transdev, which operates services in Brisbane's eastern suburbs, is in the midst of progressively rolling out 17 battery electric buses.

Kinetic will have an additional six electric buses operating across the Sunshine Coast over the next few months.

A pair of electric buses, built at Volgren's manufacturing facility at Eagle Farm, will operate on the Spring Hill Loop.
More than 12,000 tonnes of CO2 are emitted by the South East Queensland diesel bus fleet every month, but this will be reduced as more zero emissions buses come online.

The staged implementation of the Zero Emission Bus Program aims to provide a 50 per cent reduction by 2030 and an 80 per cent reduction by 2035.

ENDS

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/88-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 88
Asked on 23 February 2023

MR R STEVENS ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise the selection criteria used to determine Translink operators that will be
involved in the deployment of zero-emission vehicles prior to 2025?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Mermaid Beach for the question.

The Palaszczuk Government has made a commitment that from 2025 all new Translink funded
urban buses in South East Queensland will be zero emission buses, and for regional Queensland,
implementation will begin between 2025 and 2030. The Department of Transport and Main
Roads' (TMR) Zero Emission Bus Program (ZEBP) is working to deliver these commitments.
Since 2021, TMR has worked with delivery partners to trial zero emission buses across the state.
Each of these trials arose separately, often at the initiative of a delivery partner or operator. Some
trials were also self-funded by delivery partners. All trials are running for twelve months and under
different conditions throughout Queensland.

Zero emission buses continue to be added to the network on the initiative of individual service
delivery partners. The ZEBP will use the learnings from these trials and the recent industry
engagement period to help inform decision-making for the rollout of all new buses from 2025.

Apparently, the new electric buses for the Spring Hill loop will start this coming Monday.

I also understand they are in the correct livery... 

Whose correct livery???          

That of the authority which is actually (or meant to be) in charge of public buses in Queensland.

Managed to get a quick pic of one of the two new electric buses running on route 30 today.

Here's to all buses have same livery (or a consistent branding) not the mess we have today with the company/BCC logo larger than translink one!

Must be time BCC repainted their electric bi-artic buses in translink colors?