NEWS
ACT GOVT E-BUS ‘MARKET SOUNDING’: 90 BUSES SOUGHT IN ITS ENDEAVOUR to kick-start its Zero-Emission Transition Plan for Transport Canberra, a ‘market sounding’ for 90 zero-emission battery electric buses – as well as associated operating requirements such as charging infrastructure, maintenance and energy supply – has commenced, the ACT government has announced. Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel says the ACT government is exploring opportunities to partner with providers on this transformation of the ACT’s bus fleet and is keen to hear from all parts of industry to inform the future procurement of the 90 battery electric buses in mid-2021. “Transport is the ACT[’s] largest source of emissions, and we are getting on with our plan of replacing every diesel and compressed natural gas bus in Transport Canberra’s fleet with modern, zero-emission
buses,” Minister Steel said. “The ACT government released the Transport Canberra’s Zero Emissions Transition Plan in September and now we are preparing to procure the first tranche of 90 battery electric buses, with the commencement of a market sounding,” he explained. The first of the 90 buses are expected to commence operation in the 2021–22 financial year, with the last to be delivered no later than 2024, the government explains. “The ACT government wants to hear from everyone who would like to be involved in delivering the zero-emissions transition – from bus manufacturers, energy providers, electric bus charging station companies to the broader construction industry,” said Minister Steel. “This market sounding will inform the design of the final procurement approach to deliver a successful
transition based on Transport Canberra’s Zero Emissions Transition Plan and Transport Canberra’s specific operational needs,” he said.
GETTING INVOLVED
Above: Minister Steel said the ACT government wanted “...to hear from everyone who would like to be involved in delivering the zero-emissions transition”. Below: The old Renault bus fleet is looking to be replaced with emissionfree electric alternatives.
According to the ACT government, interested parties can register through the Tenders ACT or Transport Canberra websites, so they can keep informed and involved in the upcoming industry briefing process and formal market soundings. “This process is not just about delivering 90 battery electric buses. We are seeking innovative solutions to how we house and support, charge and maintain the fleet, as well as how we can partner with energy providers that will make the transition successful in the ACT,” said Minister Steel. “The market sounding is the next step in achieving our target of a zero-emission public transport
“The market sounding is the next step in achieving our target of a zeroemission public transport system by 2040 or earlier.” 8
ABC January 2021 busnews.com.au
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