Australasian Bus & Coach 411 November 2021

ABC

AUSTRALASIAN BUS & COACH

SCANIA BACKS GLOBAL ZEB MOU AUCKLAND ADDS CRRC E-BUSES VENTURA FLEET E-MOBILITY STARTS

ISSUE 411 November 2021 $5.95 inc GST

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operator: emerald, qld in focus: yutong yess interview: abb australia

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Proven knowledge and experience

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contents ISSUE 411 NOVEMBER 2021

10 in the know

6. editorial | ignition There’s just been so much going on this past month that editor Cotter’s head is still spinning. Read on...

10. news | the front line We’ve gathered up all the key, hardhitting Australasian and international bus and coach news for you, to keep you in the loop.

26. column | bic

POST-COVID LANDSCAPE Is it too early to make a call on the ‘new norm’?

in focus

28. In focus | bci 30th birthday

BCI BUS CELEBRATES 30TH BIRTHDAY Perth-based Bus and Coach International (BCI) has officially passed its 30th birthday date – October 17, 2021 – confirming its commitment to, “...continue bringing in the latest and safest bus product for years to come.”

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30. In focus | yutong battery protection

BUS BATTERY PROTECTION KEY TO YUTONG ‘YESS’ SUCCESS Inevitable e-bus collisions via external, uncontrollable on-road factors underlies Yutong’s advanced nitrogen-cooling ‘YESS’ battery-fire limitation and passenger evacuation system, the company reports.

34. in focus | crrc e-buses

Foxconn livestreamed the breaking news from its Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD21) 2021 event.

46. cover story | hyzon-blk hydrogen

NO HARD CELL

In the barren, open mining spaces of Australia’s Outback regions, low to no carbon emissions might seem the last priority on any heavy vehicle operator’s list – or it used to. If diesel is soon to be

AUCKLAND ADDING 150+ E-BUSES Touted as Australasia’s biggest ever electric bus order – which will, “...remove 10,000 tonnes of emissions annually,” it’s approximated – a further 152 battery electric buses (BEVs) will be added over four years via a partnership between Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Bus, the companies recently announced.

38. in focus | foxconn e-bus

FOXCONN INTRODUCES E-BUS MODEL A trio of self-developed electric vehicles – including a futuristic ‘mirrorless look’ city bus – has teased the global electromobility market after tech leader

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EDITORIAL Editor: Fabian Cotter ph: 0451 194 600 e-mail: Fabian.Cotter@primecreative.com.au Technical Writer: Paul Aldridge

FOLLOW US ONLINE AT:

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ADVERTISING Trader Group Sales Manager: James Rock ph: 0419 139 941 e-mail: James.Rock@primecreative.com.au Business Development Manager - Bus: Matt Alexander ph: 0413 599 669 e-mail: Matt.Alexander@primecreative.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS www.magshop.com.au e-mail: magshop@magshop.com.au ph: 1300 461 528 between 8am – 6pm (EST) Mon – Fri mail: Magshop, GPO Box 5252, Sydney, NSW, 2001 Annual subscription rates (12 issues): Australia: $89* NZ: $A100.05

dust, is hydrogen the answer? Hyzon and BLK Auto sure do think so.

52. interview | sean stove

HIDDEN POTENTIAL

E-mobility’s charging infrastructure mass-implementation challenges going forward seem daunting at best. Yet what if its ‘hidden potential’ for unforeseen revenue growth – particularly for bus and truck operators – presents the business case needed to ‘ just make it happen’?

56. operator | emerald coaches

Emerald Coaches is to convert its fleet of 120 buses to ‘green’ fuelcell hydrogen power via an approx.

AUD$100 million project running until 2040, it announced recently.

60. operator | western road liners

50 YEARS AND GOING STRONG After being in the business for half a century, Western Road Liners (WRL) is right where one of its co-founders, Peter McQuie, would like it to be – a solid, reliable business operating within a tight-knit community in the Parkes region of country New South Wales.

Overseas: $A122.50 (Australian air-mail only) *price includes GST

EXECUTIVE GROUP CEO: John Murphy Publisher: Christine Clancy COO: Zelda Tupicoff Operations Manager: Regina Fellner Trader Group Sales Director: Brad Buchanan

GOING GREEN

Queensland private bus operator

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departments

65. bus marketplace | classifieds

FOR SALE!

There’s hundreds of great vehicles and services listed here from some of the leading bus and coach companies on the planet. Have a look around and see what you might find in there!

70. factory facts | bus deliveries

MONTHLY RESULTS

We know you love them and so we have the latest bus and coach supplier sales data collected and recorded for you to sink your teeth into. To know who is who and who’s done what simply check it out!

ABC is published by Prime Creative Media 11-15 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Telephone: (+61) 03 9690 8766 Website: www.primecreative.com.au

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DISTRIBUTION

Distribution within Australia and New Zealand and beyond by paid subscription to the owners and managers of: • route buses • government bus operations • school buses • extended and day tour operations • express coaches • country and charter operations • bus and coach manufacturers • equipment suppliers • tourism attractions • railways management.

Australasian Bus & Coach (ABC) magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media. All material in ABC is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. Opinions expressed in ABC are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

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IGNITION

FABIAN COTTER

Born Free … Maybe. Are We? Changes to Aussie state and federal laws have never been more scrutinised than now. ‘For we are young and free’ – really?

P

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oignantly haunting Midnight Oil lyrics have a bad habit of recurringly reminding die-hard fans to question each decade or so that, no matter much time has passed, or life has changed, are things really just the same?

“You’re watching people fighting, “You’re watching people losing, “On Armistice Day. “The watchers do the wincing, reporters so convincing, but the TV never lies…”

the start of a worrying trend. I guess, for us, the often unaccounted-for factor in a bus business’s success – or for any bus operation in the world actually – isn’t necessarily just numbers of customers and regularity of PAX annually for forward planning, but ‘happy’ customers in the context of the above. And as you don’t need to be Scooby-Do to know, happiness ‘cannot’ be forced.

Or does it? Estimates of attendees at various protests always seems to dramatically bounce around.

The song’s sarcasm aside on that last point, it is hard to tell what is true and accurate these days from all accounts and all angles, as each individual does their best to navigate the labyrinth of information bombarding the senses 24/7 – and that’s just the mainstream stuff.

I say this now having chatting to the odd bus-type person or three about – how shall be say - the way of the world now, where the industry is heading and just often enough, well … that some things just don’t add up.

Ultimately losing ownership of everything (a bus operation) to be happy?

Oooh, now that’s going to be a tough sell.

Regardless of how one sees or interprets the very machinations of life day-to-day now, the mass turnouts to protest the proposed (or is that impending?) Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 would have many bus and other businesses worried.

And that’s because while, arguably, no one person in Australia should command such authority – regardless of political persuasion, it must be clarified (it’s what those Armistice Day soldiers largely fought for, remember?) – it sends out a very bad investment message: instability.

Too scary? Maybe. Unfounded?

Potentially. Yet, a recent Reuters article citing CDC Australia pausing its IPO listing plans – complemented by other notable large entities like investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Las Vegas-based slot machine maker Scientific Games Corp skipping Oz as an option recently – might be

Inside Issue 411 of ABC magazine, released this November – and if we are going to get technical and Latin-like: ‘anno Domini’ (in the year of our Lord) – 2021, are a few hydrogen-using buses coincidentally timed when the gas is seemingly ‘flavour of the month’.

With the recent federal government announcement expanding its Future Fuels Fund to AUD$250 million – which the Australian Hydrogen Council welcomed, saying this will be “…critical to enabling the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling and electric vehicle charging infrastructure in cities and across regional Australia,” while also highlighting, “…further market incentives and fuel emissions standards should be introduced to accelerate Australia’s transition to zero-emissions vehicles” – a fuel-cell coach on the cover this month is ‘on point’.

The Hyzon-BLK Auto hydrogen coach program, which is initially targeting the mining and resources sector to transport FIFO workers in the Pilbara region across the north of Western Australia, is also giving long-distance coach operators a new zero-emissions option.

Key to the roll-out is Australian bus industry champion – and almost soothsayer – Jason Pecotic, whose first-hand knowledge over years in the local bus game has stood him in good stead in bringing in and co-ordinating with pivotal partners to make it all happen. Read more all about it on pages 46–51.

Speaking of H2, Queensland’s Emerald Coaches is similarly embarking on its own hydrogen journey – all to the tune of $100 million – with plans by 2040 to convert its entire 120-strong fleet to fuel-cell power using its own

THE CONTENTS

self-produced green hydrogen to do so.

Exciting stuff! Check that one out on pages 56–59.

The ZEBs and BEVs theme continues with ABC looking at Auckland Transport’s order for more than 150 CRRC-built e-buses while it showcased its e-bus fleet and plans in a virtual exhibition at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland, this month. That’s on pages 34–36.

We speak in depth to e-charging specialists ABB, too, about weighing up the cost of e-bus charging while also looking at it as a different revenue stream for operators (pp 40–41 and 52–55), plus we examine Yutong’s YESS battery-protections system (pp 30–33) before getting into party mode. That’s right, it was technically BCI’s 30th anniversary recently (pp 28–29), operator Western Road Liners in Parkes, NSW, is celebrating its 50th anniversary (pp 60–64) and public transport textiles guru Camira Fabrics is about to pop the corks and blow and throw the party whistles and streamers for its 200th anniversary next year (pp 42–45). So be sure to check it all out and much more.

And that was pretty much November, 2021, folks – an interesting month, indeed.

I can’t believe we are year’s end already and, while that’s normally a time we’d say it’s for catching up with family and friends, there every chance we’ve had a gut full of them throughout all these lockdowns, so worry about yourself this time I say. Jokes…

Go grab that golf club; have that lunch in the sun; go walk that dog at dusk or dawn while streaming your favourite headphone tunes; have yet another backyard BBQ – why not? Play computer games ’til 4.00am and your eyes pop out – go nuts! Point is, just generally try to enjoy yourselves as much as possible and be positive and do what makes you happy, regardless of all that’s going on.

Like wrongly-accused accountant Andy Defresne (Tim Robbins) confidingly mused with his good mate Red (Morgan Freeman) on a cold prison-yard floor in the epic movie The Shawshank Redemption: “I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living … or get busy dying.”

Until the next thrilling instalment…

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HIGHLIGHT

VOLVO BZL ELECTRIC

E-BUS RELIABILITY ‘BEYOND DELIVERY’ Imbued with ‘peace of mind of mind at every stage of the journey’, Volvo Bus Australia’s new BZL Electric chassis promises “reliability beyond delivery”, the company explains.

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FFICIALLY LAUNCHING the Volvo BZL electric chassis in late September, 2021 – and following years of extensive electro-mobility planning, development and testing, as the company confirms – Volvo Bus Australia (VBA) has consistently utilised Volvo’s stringent European standards to, “…provide a safe, reliable and consistent framework for developing and supporting the Volvo BZL Electric chassis.”

These standards, it states, have been at the forefront of VBA’s planning and execution throughout its electro-mobility journey, reinforcing VBA’s values of quality, safety and environmental care, it reports.

“From an operator perspective, the Volvo BZL electric offers optimum accessibility and serviceability, ensuring that servicing and repairs can be carried out with ease,” said Mitch Peden, general manager, VBA. “The accessible design of the Volvo BZL electric offers multiple practical access points across the vehicle to secure maximum uptime and lower servicing costs.

“We’re proud of the fact that, rather than rushing a product to market, we have taken the time to achieve an optimal chassis and body design through our long-term partnerships in the e-mobility space to ensure that this product is the highest quality – and that we are well equipped with the knowledge

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and resources to effectively manage this new technology.”

ON AUSSIE ROADS According to the company, the Volvo BZL electric chassis provides benefits to ensure a “long life on Australian roads,” which will “… meet the high expectations of owners and operators.”

Available in lengths from 9.9 to 12.5 metres, the Volvo BZL features a proven driveline adapted from Europe, combined with the same trusted electrical system, suspension and pneumatic system as Volvo’s beloved B8RLE Euro 6 and B5LH hybrid products, VBA confirms.

Internally, the bus features a full low-floor layout and provides “…unrivalled accessibility and comfort to passengers,” including an enhanced experience for the elderly and disabled passengers, it states.

Additionally, the BZL features single or dual 200kW low-loss electric motors, delivering impressive torque and driveability for safe operation also in demanding uphill conditions, the company says.

The two-stage automated gearbox also increases wheel torque at low speed and evens out current peaks, ensuring energy economy of up to 80 per cent reduction compared to a diesel bus, VBA explains.

Depending on the selected length of the chassis and customer needs, the Volvo

The accessible design of the Volvo BZL Electric offers multiple practical access points across the vehicle to secure maximum uptime and lower servicing costs.

BZL can be equipped with different number of lithium-ion batteries, with total energy of 94kWh per battery.

These batteries are equipped with a heater/cooler system to ensure that the batteries consistently maintain the optimum working temperature to ensure a comfortable and efficient ride, says Volvo Bus.

POWERPLAY As for charging, the Volvo BZL electric chassis can be manually charged using a CCS2 cable in the depot, during breaks, off-peak or at night. The buses can be equipped with plug-in sockets in several locations to suit specific depot layouts, VBA explains.

In addition to these new and innovative features, the Volvo BZL also comes with Volvo’s comprehensive services as standard, including Volvo Connect, Volvo Zone Speed Management capability and I-Coaching, as well as access to the ‘dedicated VBA team’ and the largest dealer network in the country, it says.

“Our team of electro-mobility experts have done extensive work to ensure the Volvo BZL electric

is tailored to meet demanding Australian operating conditions and asset life expectancy,” Peden stated.

“We have also incorporated rigorous data protection and circular battery management systems to offer our customers second-to-none product quality, reliability and safety – ensuring that the new Volvo BZL electric chassis offers ‘peace of mind at every stage of the journey’.

“The Volvo BZL electric has been designed to align with the customer needs and expectations when it comes to electric vehicle quality and safety and will play an integral part in creating a more sustainable future for Australian and New Zealand transport,” Peden said.

Top: The Volvo BZL can be equipped with different numbers of lithium-ion batteries, with total energy of 94kWh per battery.

Above + Opposite: Volvo Bus Australia has used strict European standards to develop safe and reliable e-bus technology (Image courtesy Ashley Bennett Photography).

Left: Volvo’s BZL Electric chassis was released at the end of September.

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NEWS

transport-related carbon emissions and five per cent of Australia’s total carbon emissions,” Miller said.

“This trial represents the next step in helping to reduce emissions in public transport and heavy transport.”

The first 12 of the 40 new electric buses will begin to enter service this month, with the rest of the fleet arriving over the next four months, it confirms.

BATTERY KNOW-HOW

SYDNEY EXPANDS E-BUS FLEET COMMUTERS SEEING more ‘green power’ on Sydney’s inner-West urban streets via Transit Systems currently operating 15 electric buses – with 40 more ordered – has led to creating, via retrofit, the largest electrified depot in Australia, the operator confirms.

Taking the successful electric bus pilot programs to scale has required significant planning and infrastructure works to ensure the grid and electrical network can cope with the charging and energy storage needs, according to Clint Feuerherdt, CEO of Sealink Travel Group, which owns Transit Systems.

“With responsibility for transporting over 207 million passengers each year, we strive to not just meet the community’s needs today, but ensure we future-proof our solutions with sustainable outcomes that will benefit us all tomorrow,” he said.

“Part of achieving this today has been our active participation in trials of new technology and creating relationships with key stakeholders to ensure we have the operational experience that doesn’t just adapt, but leads the market.”

Transit Systems has worked with Transport for NSW, as well as key industry partners including UK battery-specialist Zenobe and grid-management specialist Transgrid, with $5 million in national funding also injected into the construction project from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), alongside the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CFEC), it explains.

The $36 million project is to be delivered by a Transgrid and Zenobe joint venture, receiving funding and “in-kind support” 10

from project partners including Transit Systems and Transport for NSW. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is also providing financing of $24.5 million.

The three-year trial will drive the commercialisation of electric buses in Australia and continue the development of the Australian Government’s Future Fuel Strategy, which aims to “...empower consumer choice, stimulate industry development and reduce emissions in the road transport sector,” according to ARENA. The Leichhardt depot retrofit will include: the use of 40 electric buses with a combination of 368kWh and 422kWh onboard batteries; five 120kW electric bus chargers capable of charging two buses at a time; 31x 80kW electric bus chargers; 2.5MW/4.9MWh of stationary batteries; and 387kW of rooftop solar PV systems.

ROLLOUT KICKSTART ARENA CEO Darren Miller says the project represents ARENA’s first heavy vehicle electric vehicle (EV) project and is an important scaling-up from previous trials.

Previous electric bus trials in Australia have involved fewer than four buses each, making this trial important to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of the electrification of large depot-scale bus fleets capable of travelling a complete route without needing to be re-charged, states ARENA. “Heavy vehicle transport is an important area to target, given that together buses and trucks account for 25 per cent of

Zenobe co-founder and director Steven Meersman says the company is proud to partner with Transit Systems.

“We have proudly worked together to be able to deliver the next step by providing expert grid management, with our joint venture partners Transgrid, along with Zenobe’s innovative software and end-of-life battery solutions,” Meersman said.

“The combination of Transit Systems global transport experience with our

VENTURA STARTS E-BUS FLEET TRANSITION MAJOR MELBOURNE bus operator Ventura Bus Lines has added its first battery-electric bus (BEB) to its fleet, taking delivery of the e-bus from longtime partner Volgren.

The Volgren Optimus-bodied BYD D9RA e-chassis bus was a combination chosen after several years evaluating the current crop of BEBs, according to Ventura’s managing director Andrew Cornwall.

“Ventura customers enjoy high levels of reliability and punctuality for their bus services, so it was critical that we chose a very dependable solution for our first BEB,” Cornwall stated.

“Ventura has been buying buses from Volgren for over 20 years and we have built a very respectful partnership.”

Ventura general manager of fleet and maintenance David Burgess says investing in any new technology requires a strong customer focus.

“Our long-term relationship with

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battery know-how and proprietary software solutions showcases the pathway to more zero-emission transport solutions in Australia, and across the world.”

RAPID EVOLUTION Transgrid Acting CEO Brian Salter says it’s a major step forward for Sydney in achieving an electrified public transport fleet.

“Our energy system is evolving rapidly and Transgrid and its commercial arm, Lumea, are playing an important role in leading the transition to a clean energy future.

Electrification of transport is an essential feature of the modern energy system and this initiative is a welcome addition to the grid-scale batteries and multipurpose energy hubs that Lumea is developing throughout Australia. We are delighted to be bringing Zenobe’s

global experience and capability to Australia through this project,” he said.

Executive manager – strategy, innovation and technology for Transgrid Eva Hanly says the partnership with Zenobe will provide a proven industry blueprint for how this can be done effectively at scale.

“The model we’re using could

be used to facilitate the roll-out of electric buses and commercial vehicles at large scale across Australia. As we plan for the energy system of the future, this project will give us the data we need to understand how electrification of transport will affect energy supply and demand patterns,” she said.

Opposite, Top: As part of this agreement, Transit Systems has ordered 40 new electric buses, which will join the 15 electric buses already in service.

Volgren gives us a high level of confidence to support such a longterm investment,” Burgess stated.

“The Volgren-BYD combination was a strong fit for Ventura’s transition into the BEB platform, due to its forward-thinking approach to ADR [Australian Design Rules] requirements and the training support needed to ensure we maximise efficiencies and minimise disruptions to the business.”

‘CLEAN’ FLEETS Volgren national sales manager Yuri Tessari says the delivery of Ventura’s first BEB was a great example of strong, long-standing partnerships working to deliver clean fleets.

“Ventura has hundreds of Volgrens in its fleet and the fact that they have retained their body option as they moved to electric vehicles speaks volumes. It demonstrates that they trust our products and our service.”

LOCAL CONTENT, JOBS Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro congratulated Ventura on the company’s first BEB and says the delivery was a reminder of Volgren’s capacity to meet operators’ growing demand for zero-emission buses.

“We started with a single electric prototype in 2018. Three years later, we’re starting to see a higher volume of battery electric bus orders across all three of our factories in Australia.

And some of that interest is coming from customers that, until very recently, weren’t even talking about e-buses,” he said.

Deiro adds that, while manufacturing quality and aftersales service are a central part of Volgren products’ appeal to the Australian market, the company’s commitment to local content and local jobs also sets it apart.

“We build electric buses in Victoria using about 100 Australian suppliers and are incredibly proud to achieve almost 90 per cent local production for the body build. We’re also

focused on innovative solutions with a range of OEMs [original equipment manufacturers].

“That means operators can consider Volgren electric vehicles knowing they are supporting Australian and Victorian jobs while also getting outstanding choice when it comes to chassis technology.”

FIRST IN Above: Ventura Bus Lines’ first batterypowered bus is now operating out of the company’s depot in Melbourne’s inner north.

Ventura’s first BEB will be deployed at its Ivanhoe depot in Melbourne’s inner north and will operate on all routes from that depot, including LaTrobe University, Northland and Preston. Cornwall says he hopes this BEB is the first of many to be deployed by Ventura in future.

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NEWS

SCANIA TO OPEN WESTERN SYDNEY OUTLET EARLY 2022 SCANIA BUS AND TRUCK owners and operators will have access to a new company-owned sales and service outlet at Eastern Creek in Sydney’s west early next year, which is taking shape rapidly as the business prepares for the start of operations, the company has announced.

The shell of the building has been completed, the floor is going in and much of the fixtures and fittings – that could not have been installed due to the recent Sydney lockdown of the construction industry – has been prefabricated off site and is awaiting delivery in the immediate future, Scania Australia confirms.

“It’s full speed ahead at Eastern Creek now that lockdown has lifted,” said Lionel Saunders, Scania state manager for NSW and the ACT. The Eastern Creek branch will open with a capable team of Scania experts at the helm, many of whom are currently working at Scania Prestons and have several decades of experience under their belts, it explains.

Eastern Creek will be Scania’s ninth company-owned capital city location, and has been established to cope with the growth in demand for new vehicle sales and service, it says.

During the past decade, Scania has doubled its footprint in Australia, requiring additional capacity to supply service and parts to its heavy-duty truck, bus and industrial and marine engine customers, it adds.

GROWTH CORRIDOR As with all Scania workshops, buses and coaches, trailers and trailer equipment can be serviced on site along with prime movers and vocational rigids (such as construction and jetvac trucks and fire appliances). The workshops will 12

be open 7.00am to midnight Monday to Friday and on Saturday until midday, Scania confirms.

“We have wanted for some time to open a second company-owned location in western Sydney,” said Sean Corby, regional executive manager for Scania NSW and Victoria.

“We see Eastern Creek as being part of a growth corridor and close to many existing customers and conveniently located to the intersection of the M4 and M7 freeways, so we can service interstate customers as well.”

The new premises will feature seven work bays, including two B-double length inspection/service pits, a wash-bay and a separate rebuild area.

There will be a host of state-of-the-art

Scania heads,” Saunders explained.

“Our Eastern Creek branch manager will be Chris Nobbs, who has had a lot of experience with Scania and has been a crucial part of our two victorious Top Team global skills competition winning teams.

“He’ll be joined by several other staffers who have similar levels of expertise with Scania systems, as well as strong links with our customers.

“A newcomer to the team will be Laney Anderson, who joins us as a parts supervisor. Laney has already started work at Prestons to familiarise herself with our systems and processes, and we are excited to have her on the team.

“While we have most of the positions filled, we’re still looking for a few critical members to join us,” Saunders stated.

“We have wanted for some time to open a second location in western Sydney.” equipment, including a load-simulation brake tester, well ahead of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator mandate for such technology, due to come into force in 2023.

Scania has also constructed a standalone Environmental Station – a waste management unit that will secure scrap metal and other waste – to avoid run-off into the stormwater system. This is part of Scania’s global move to contain waste and ensure environmental damage is avoided as far as possible, it states.

GLOBAL SKILLS “We will be teaming new technology with some wise and experienced

FAMILY EXPERIENCE Anderson says she is delighted to start working for Scania. She grew up in a trucking family spending her school holidays in her father’s truck travelling the country, and has almost a decade’s experience in automotive and heavy transport parts, the company outlines.

She has devised and successfully implemented an efficient parts handling and picking process for a previous heavy transport employer.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the start of a brand-new Scania dealership in Eastern Creek and am invested in helping to get it up and running,” she stated.

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SCANIA BACKS ZERO-EMISSIONS MOU SWEDISH commercial vehicles manufacturer Scania has endorsed a first ever global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on zero-emission trucks and buses.

It is a coordinated effort by governments and industry leaders that have agreed to support and work towards the MoU goals and to facilitate net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it explains. The initiative is driven by nonprofit CALSTART and the government of the Netherlands.

“We endorse this global agreement on zero-emission trucks and buses as part of wider efforts to accelerate the shift towards sustainable transport,” said Scania president and CEO Christian Levin.

“We will do our part to facilitate scaling of solutions faster and more cost-efficiently, not the least through initiatives that spur the build out of charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles,” he added.

ZEB SALES The manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty vehicles that endorse this MoU

aim to reach 30 per cent zero-emissions sales by 2030. Furthermore, the signatories aspire that more than 90 per cent of sales worldwide be zero-emission vehicles by 2040, recognising that the remaining sales share in 2040 should be powered by 100 per cent fossil-free energy, it’s reported.

In overview, the MoU means that, for the first time: • Leading countries are aligned on a pathway toward reaching 100 per cent zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040.

• Cars, vans, trucks, and buses are all on a pathway to 100 per cent zero emissions and in line to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

• Zero-emission trucks and buses deliver not only climate and health benefits, but also drive new investment, technology innovation, clean technology jobs and energy security.

“For too long our medium and heavy-duty vehicles were too difficult to decarbonise – but technology is improving fast, and

costs are reducing quickly, so now is the time to speed up. Not just for the climate.

Everyone has the right to breathe clean air,” said Steven van Weyenberg, Minister for the Environment of the Netherlands, one of the signers of the MoU. “This cuts both ways: investments now will lead to more green jobs in the coming years. I call on other countries to join our effort as soon as possible,” he said.

CALSTART global director Dr. Cristiano Façanha said: “For the first time we have a unified target, supported by leading governments and industry, for when new trucks and buses should fully transition to zero-emission technologies.”

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Left: “While we now have ADR regulations and general guidance on electric commercial vehicles, we want to close the gaps through our innovative bus design and highvoltage training,” said Mitch Peden, general manager Volvo Bus Australia.

HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS SAFETY EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTED WITH THE INTRODUCTION of high-voltage bus systems in Australia, Volvo Bus is reinforcing its experience in, and focus on, safety – especially with its newly-launched BZL electric chassis, it reports.

As Australasian state and ‘regional’ governments and operators move to convert their bus fleets to electric in the coming years, Volvo Bus Australia (VBA) is across the inherent challenges that come with operating these vehicles – it has successfully run its hybrid tech locally, it reminds – and the increasing importance of ensuring safe and effective operations, the company explains.

This electric technology incorporates a range of new operational factors, including high-voltage cables, batteries, electric charging interfaces and energy storage – requiring a long-term strategy to ensure extensive understanding of the way these vehicles are built, operated and serviced, it says.

This will be essential to securing the safety of not only bus drivers, passengers and road users in general, but mechanics and emergency service workers who will encounter these high-voltage systems, it explains.

“The nature of these electric buses requires an understanding of the way high-voltage vehicles are built, operated and serviced, and we are fortunate to have built up real experience within the e-mobility space to support these needs,” said Mitch Peden, general manager VBA.

recent partnership with TAFE NSW, to develop a new range of specialised safety industry-based courses – due for official release in January 2022 – is testament to this, it explains.

These short courses will be specific to the introduction of electric buses in Australia to help mechanics upskill and work safely with industry-leading bus technology, it adds. The courses will also help others as they encounter these new products in a variety of areas, including: assembly of a new electric bus; servicing the vehicle in the workshop; driving the

“Just meeting what’s required in Australia has never been our approach.” high-voltage-using e-bus; and managing emergency service responses if required.

Beyond safety training, VBA is prioritising the integration of safety measures directly into electric vehicle DNA, it says.

That is, in addition to VBA’s traditional vehicle safety measures, the BZL has been designed to incorporate technical safety measures specific to high-voltage systems.

On a passive level, this will be integrated into battery protection and internal sensors and software to detect vehicle safety threats, it confirms.

GLOBAL STANDARDS E-BUS TRAINING VBA is committed to implementing safety in and around electric vehicles and its 14

contained in the energy storage system (ESS) whenever access is required.

The BZL also features a safety-conscious vehicle profile, with both sub-floor protection and design protection, which will also help to maintain vehicle integrity, it adds.

“While we now have ADR [Australian Design Rules] regulations and general guidance on electric commercial vehicles, we want to close the gaps through our innovative bus design and high-voltage training,” said Peden.

“Just meeting what’s required in Australia has never been our approach; using the highest global standards and focusing on safety is part of our DNA. “It’s not only the bus itself. It’s the whole system that the bus operates in. It’s the drivers, technicians, passengers and – on occasion – emergency response staff that must have their safety assured at all times.

“We have completed numerous risk assessments now – on the depot, the route, the operation – [and] what we see is that every new project needs to be considered on its merits and we are working hard to ensure this.

The BZL’s high-voltage interlock loop (HVIL) will also be integral to providing safety in ensuring that high voltages are securely

“Following the launch of the Volvo BZL Electric, we will be inviting new partners also to ‘quality assure’ their investments and learn more on how Volvo safety standards can help their businesses – and ensure safe operation for those working in and around the new vehicles.”

ABOUT VOLVO BUS Volvo Bus is one of the world’s leading bus manufacturers, with a strong focus on vehicles and systems for long-term sustainable public transport, it says.

Its product range includes complete transport solutions, city buses, intercity buses and tourist coaches, as well as services in financing, vehicle servicing, vehicle diagnostics and traffic information.

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BUS TRAINING PRIORITISED IN PANDEMIC

VOLVO BUS AUSTRALIA (VBA) has been prioritising training across its diesel and electric bus offerings, reinforcing its commitment to providing quality, safe and reliable products and services, it explains.

Even through recent, unpredictable, times, VBA has highlighted the importance of, and increased focus on, the delivery of technical training across the country.

VBA general manager Mitch Peden said: “This past 18 months have posed many difficulties for the industry; however, we have remained committed to delivering key support to our customers and partners through continuing our specialised training – both through in-person training in ‘Covid Safe’ conditions, and rethinking our approach by delivering online training.

“It is a priority for us to equip our customers with necessary training for securing the best uptime for their fleets, and our dedicated bus team have been doing a fantastic job of delivering the services our customers and partners have come to expect from Volvo Bus.” Notably, Volvo Bus national competency manager David Woodward has delivered extensive face-to-face training to various local customers, with even more expected to take place now that NSW Covid restrictions have eased, explains Peden.

“Border closures and travel restrictions have meant that we have needed to rethink how we could effectively deliver the training we had planned, so we’ve implemented virtual training to interstate partners, and we’re calling on our ‘Commercial Crew’ approach to have local team members there in person,” he stated.

Above: Volvo Bus National Competency manager David Woodward (back row, centre left) has delivered extensive face-to-face training to various local customers, complemented via interstate ‘Commercial Crew’ local team members.

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YOUNG’S BUS SERVICE JOINS CDC AUSTRALIA PORTFOLIO COMFORTDELGRO Corporation Australia (CDC) has completed its previously announced acquisition of the largest bus operator in the Rockhampton, Queensland, region, the company has announced.

Young’s Bus Service is now officially a part of CDC’s expanding regional bus portfolio, complementing its other operations in regional Australia, it states.

The acquisition brings 42 additional buses and two depots under the control of CDC, along with the delivery of route, school, and charter bus services in the area, it confirms. It has also boosted CDC’s Queensland fleet size to 197 buses, while the total number operated in Australia is now close to 2,500 buses, it adds.

CDC Australia CEO Nicholas Yap says the finalised acquisition of Young’s Bus Service is another demonstration of the company’s growing commitment to public transport customers and communities across Australia.

“Young’s Bus Service is well-loved by the communities it serves and we are very pleased to introduce it to the CDC regional portfolio,” Yap said.

“To maintain such vast local knowledge and provide continued quality services for our customers, we have retained the expertise of Young’s senior management team and we have offered all staff ongoing employment with us.

“This acquisition ties in well with 16

other recent commitments to the communities of regional Australia, such as our expansion in Narrabri in New South Wales.

“We’re proud that our increased presence in regional Australia is offering more customers the benefits that come with the resources and experience of one of Australia’s largest bus operators, including advanced on-board technologies, increased safety and a strong focus on customer experience.

“We are also offering employees in regional locations the opportunities for career growth and mobility that come from working with a major global player.

“Throughout our operations, we have continuously displayed our dedication to linking people, places and communities across Australia and this will continue with Young’s,” Yap said.

EXCITING TIMES Son of founder Stan Young, Phil Young, who has been running the 71-year-old business with his brother, David, and mother, Joan, says that CDC ownership would allow it to thrive into the future.

“To go with a bigger company would improve the business out of sight, for vehicles, for financing, for employment,” Young said.

“My brother and I are excited about staying on with CDC for the foreseeable future, assisting in the day-to-day running of Young’s before

we step into our next chapter: retirement.”

CDC currently operates in six states and territories in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, the Australia Capital Territory, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

ABOUT CDC AUSTRALIA

Above: (L-R): Phil Young, co-owner Young’s Bus Service (operations manager); Madeleine Perret (driver); David Young, co-owner Young’s Bus Service (workshop manager); Robyn Pye (driver); Matt Sevinga (fleet manager, CDC Queensland); Lisa Parker (general manager Operations QLD & NT, regional Australia division, ComfortDelGro Australia); and Rowena Van Malsen (general manager, people & culture, regional Australia division, ComfortDelGro Australia).

ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) is one of the largest land transport operators in Australia and its parent company, ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited – a global transportation company listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange – is one of the world’s largest land transport companies, it explains.

The ComfortDelGro Group’s operations extend from the United Kingdom, Singapore and Ireland to Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia and China, with a combined fleet of more than 40,000 vehicles, CDC confirms.

In Australia, the ComfortDelGro Group has steadily grown since 2005 and it currently operates in six states and territories.

Other ComfortDelGro businesses include a taxi network service provider (Swan Taxis) based in Perth, non-emergency patient transport services (National Patient Transport) in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, and an outdoor advertising company (Moove Media) based in Victoria and New South Wales.

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for almost two decades now and we are pleased to be able to support local manufacturing with the new Marathon product offering,” he added.

FAMILY INSPIRATION

AUSSIE-BUILT ‘MARATHON’ SCHOOL BUS WOOS QUEENSLAND MARKET PERFECTLY POISED for the Queensland government’s NC5 funding category – and featuring arguably one of the best-looking school bus front ends – the all-Australian-built Marathon is attracting “plenty of interest” prior to official launch, local distributor Bus Stop Sales (BSS) reports.

In a collaboration that proudly supports Australian manufacturing – underwritten by an all-American driveline – the current Marathon nameplate first debuted onto the Aussie bus scene more than 30 years ago and is now re-introduced by Queensland-based, family-owned and operated BSS. The new Marathon school bus is a combination of proven and uncomplicated Iveco Delta bus chassis assembled in Victoria, the company explains, with renowned Queensland manufacturer Coach Concepts building the sharp-looking body.

In announcing the completion of the first of 10 pre-launch new Marathon school buses in September, 2021, Bus Stop Sales dealer principal Pete White stated: “This new offering is a real game-changer for operators desiring a tried and tested, locally-built vehicle.“

MADE IN AUSTRALIA The Australian-built Iveco Delta chassis features a Cummins ISL 8.9-litre engine, Allison T375R automatic transmission with retarder and Meritor axles. This has been coupled with the Coach Concepts’ Marathon body featuring local-Queensland Styleride seating, Valeo (Spheros) air conditioning, and other “desirable items”, 18

including in-swing door, lift-up wheel arches and a high floorline providing excellent storage capacity, says BSS. The initial batch of 10 Iveco Delta chassis were built in Dandenong and trucked to Brisbane, where they were delivered to Coach Concepts.

“After exploring a number of local body building options, Coach Concepts answered the call to design a straightforward school bus body with a sophisticated style,” White explained.

“Coach Concepts have been building quality buses and coaches in Queensland

Interestingly, the inspiration for this new vehicle combination came from Pete White’s father, Dick White, who helped design the original Marathon school bus during his co-ownership of Brisbane bus manufacturer Motorcoach Australia, between 1985 and 1997.

“I am fortunate to be able to draw upon my father’s vast 46-year involvement with the bus industry, which began as a sales engineer at the original Denning business at Acacia Ridge in 1975,” White stated.

Customers have already given their tick of approval for the new Marathon with significant pre-release interest expressed, White confirmed.

With prices starting from AUD$375,000 plus GST, BSS is confident the new Marathon school bus will be an attractive proposition for Queensland government school bus operators, as it is falls within the NC5 funding category.

“The pandemic has made us all re-evaluate our businesses and identify new opportunities to add to our existing, traditionally imported product range and there is more to come,” White affirmed.

“Customers have already given their tick of approval for the new Marathon.”

Top: “After exploring a number of local body building options, Coach Concepts answered the call to design a straightforward school bus body with a sophisticated style,” said Bus Stop Sales dealer principal Pete White.

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DECADE-LONG AUSSIE BUS INDUSTRY ANALYSIS RELEASED PEAK INDUSTRY association the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) has launched its Moving People – Australian Bus & Coach Industry ‘Snapshot’ – a comprehensive 10-year compilation of important data and analysis – to the public.

The report contains a decade of national data on the manufacturers, the bus fleet on our roads, the operators and their passengers, BIC explains.

It contains 60-plus pages of comprehensive analysis of the bus industry using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, ABC magazine and various federal and state government departments.

BIC executive director Roz Chivers says the report, “…provides an important snapshot of our industry and our contribution to Australia’s economy, social well-being, city liveability and the governments ‘green’ agenda.

“Australian governments need to recognise that buses are still the number-one public transport provider for workers and students. The bus industry is in fact a top-tier manager of congestion reduction and facilitates a lot of productivity in our cities and regions,” Chivers stated.

RAW NUMBERS The Australian bus industry employs more than 85,000 Australians with the manufacturing and supply sector making up 10,000 of those workers, contributing AUD$5 billion each year to the Australian economy – and close to AUD$1.5 billion in supplies and services to keep buses on the road, the report documents. Buses are also the lowest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, making up just 2 per cent of total transport emissions.

It is clear that the economic and environment industry statistics provided in this report will be a vital resource for governments in the lead-up to the federal election and the ‘race to zero’, it explains.

When asked about the recent announcement from the Morrison federal government on net-zero 2050, Chivers stated: “The federal government is clearly relying on technology advancements to deliver net zero.

This is where the bus industry can once again lead the way by being the number-one transport innovator in zero technology, just as we have in the early adoption of Euro 6 over the past decade,” she said.

“In fact, I can think of no better recent example than the 2040 commitment from Emerald

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Coaches to transition their entire fleet to hydrogen powered buses.” (See page 56 for the full story on Emerald Coaches’ announcement.)

AVAILABILITY The Snapshot report demonstrates how buses can help achieve net-zero, highlighting the importance of the bus manufacturing and supply sector and the potential for growth in high-tech jobs.

The report is available for download from BIC’s website: www.movingpeople.com.au.

Above: It is clear that the economic and environment industry statistics provided in this report will be a vital resource for governments in the lead-up to the federal election and the ‘race to zero’, BIC explains.

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Bus Operators who launch their programs before Christamas will gain the most benefit for themselves, their staff and families.

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CDC AUSTRALIA BUSES SPROUT MOVEMBER MOUSTACHES PUBLIC TRANSPORT entity ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) has committed more support to men’s health awareness during Movember, 2021, it has announced.

In addition to nearly 1,500 iconic Movember moustaches adorning its buses, patient transport vehicles and other vehicles across the country, CDC employees will take part in fundraising activities to support this worthy cause, it confirms.

This year, CDC will be donating $10,000 in addition to the donations generated by its workforce, it explains.

CDC CEO Nicholas Yap says Movember is a great cause and he is pleased to be contributing more to this year’s activities.

“Movember is a time that our staff and customers always enjoy. It’s fun to have the moustaches on our buses and our fundraising activities help to build great staff camaraderie while raising money,” Yap said.

“However, Movember also has a very serious side, which is important to us.

“Men’s health research and suicide prevention are causes we are very proud to be supporting, which is why we have decided to donate as a company together with our Australia-wide staff.”

SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS Movember’s head of corporate partnerships Australia Kieran Ryan says Movember is pleased to be working with ComfortDelGro Australia nationally for a third consecutive year for ‘Mo’s Around Town’.

“This year is bigger and better than ever with almost 1,500 Mos on CDC vehicles across the country,” Ryan said.

“Our iconic Mo will be starting conversations and raising awareness for men’s health thanks to the support of CDC. “The role of the Mo is to raise awareness and start conversations; it’s our hairy ribbon and this year those conversations are more important than ever.

“Men are dying too young, on average four and a half years earlier than women globally, and four years earlier than women in Australia – and for 20

largely preventable reasons. We want to encourage men to step up and take control of their health.

“We’ve made significant progress, but there’s still much to be done.

“In Australia, men account for three out of every four suicides.

“One in six Aussie men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men,” Ryan said.

Its parent company is ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, a global transportation company listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and one of the world’s largest land transport companies, it adds.

ABOUT MOVEMBER Movember takes place in November each year to support men’s health awareness for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention, the organisation explains.

For more information on this leading global charity, visit au.movember.com.

ABOUT CDC AUSTRALIA ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) is one of the largest land transport operators in Australia, it states.

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interest of many consumers in finding alternatives to individual car usage.

The company says it is, “…operating at the forefront of this global mega-trend, and the acquisition of the iconic Greyhound business will help the company realise its vision to offer sustainable and affordable travel to everyone.”

COMMON VISION

GREYHOUND USA SALE: BETTER INTERCITY BUS TRAVEL AN INCREASED domestic American demand for affordable, ‘sustainable’, collective mobility has contributed to German transport entity Flixmobility’s – of Flixbus and Flixtrains fame – decision to buy iconic Greyhound Lines Inc., USA, the company announced, recently.

With the United States’ intercity bus lines said to be a lifeline during the pandemic for communities and essential workers, these look like being expanded and enhanced following global mobility provider Flixmobility acquiring Greyhound in America (“Greyhound”) – the largest provider of long-distance bus transportation in the United States – from Firstgroup plc.

This acquisition, “…marks another important step in Flixmobility’s vision to provide easy-to-use, affordable, and environmentally friendly travel for consumers across the globe,” the company explains.

The purchase brings together Flixbus’ innovative global technology and shared mobility expertise with Greyhound’s iconic nationwide presence and experience, creating a company that will be, “…better able to service the needs of intercity bus travellers in the US. “Intercity bus lines were a lifeline during the pandemic for communities and essential workers and, as economies re-open, they will be a tremendous driver for sustainable growth across the country,” it confirmed in an online press statement.

The Flixbus Global network serves more than 2,500 destinations in 36 countries outside of the US with 400,000 daily 22

connections, it states. Greyhound currently connects approximately 2,400 destinations across North America with nearly 16 million passengers each year, it adds.

AWAY FROM CARS Flixmobility co-founder and chief executive officer André Schwämmlein, said: “Consumers across North America are increasingly seeking affordable, comfortable, smart and sustainable mobility solutions. A compelling offering will draw significantly more travellers away from private cars to shared intercity bus mobility.

Flixmobility co-founder and chief executive officer Jochen Engert, commented: “The continuous expansion of our services through partnerships and acquisitions has always been an integral part of our growth strategy to build our global presence. The acquisition of Greyhound is a major step forward in the US. “The Flixbus and Greyhound teams share a common vision to make smart, affordable and sustainable mobility accessible to all.”

Firstgroup plc executive chairman David Martin, said: “The sale of Greyhound to Flixmobility is part of our portfolio rationalisation strategy to refocus Firstgroup on its leading UK public transport businesses.

“The strength of Greyhound is its people, and I would like to thank them for their unwavering commitment to their customers and communities.

“As part of Flixmobility, I am confident that Greyhound will be well placed to continue to grow and develop their iconic services for many years to come.”

Firstgroup has reached agreement

“Buses as a ‘sustainable’ and accessible alternative are now more important than ever.”

“Together, Flixbus and Greyhound will be better able to meet this increased demand.

“As our business continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, we will replicate the success that we have already achieved in 36 countries outside of the US with our innovative and customer centric approach,” he said.

As Flixmobility explains, buses as a ‘sustainable’ and accessible alternative are now more important than ever.

Fluctuations in the cost of gas, the recent escalation of car prices, and ‘climate change’ concerns have increased the

with Neptune Holding Inc. (the ‘Buyer’), a corporation fully controlled by Flixmobility, to sell Greyhound Lines, Inc., the US Greyhound operating business (including its vehicle fleet, trademarks, and certain other assets and liabilities) for an enterprise value on a debt-free/cash-free basis of c.US$46 million (AUD$63 million) plus unconditional deferred consideration of US$32 million (AUD$44 million) with an interest rate of 5 per cent per annum.

ABOUT FLIXMOBILITY Flixmobility started in Germany (München/ Munich) in 2013 by Jochen Engert, Daniel

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Krauss and André Schwämmlein, with the aim to deliver a revolutionary means of travel that combined technological advances, e-commerce capabilities, and sustainable transportation, it explains.

Flixbus USA launched in 2018 with destinations across the Southwest, including Los Angeles, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Phoenix, AZ. Since then, the company has expanded its operations to facilitate travel between additional cities in the Southwest, South, Northeast and Pacific Northwest.

Flixmobility is a mobility provider offering new alternatives for convenient, affordable and environmentally friendly travel via the Flixbus and Flixtrain brands, it explains.

The company has quickly

established Europe’s largest long-distance bus network and launched the first green long-distance trains in 2018, as well as a pilot project for all-electric buses in Germany, the US and France, it confirms.

Since 2013, Flixmobility has

changed the way hundreds of millions of people have travelled throughout Europe and created tens of thousands of new jobs in the mobility industry, it says.

In 2018, Flixmobility launched Flixbus USA to bring this new travel alternative to the United States.

Left: Flixmobility co-founder and chief executive officer Jochen Engert, commented: “The continuous expansion of our services through partnerships and acquisitions has always been an integral part of our growth strategy to build our global presence. The acquisition of Greyhound is a major step forward in the US.”

VDI OUTLET NOW SOLE YUTONG BUS CENTRE IN BRISBANE FOLLOWING VDI opening its own Brisbane-based Yutong Centre late last year, the company Bus Stop Sales and Service has – as of 8 November, 2021 – ceased to be a Yutong dealer in Australia, local Yutong distributor Vehicle Dealers International (VDI) has announced.

VDI Yutong thanks Bus Stop Sales (BSS) for its support of the Yutong product in these past years and wishes it well in its future endeavours, it states.

Having invested in opening its own Yutong Bus Centre Brisbane at Virginia, VDI has continued to provide the level of support that customers expect, it says.

Staffed with some of the most experienced people in Australia when it comes to Yutong, this new

dealership’s dedicated team can provide full sales support, parts, and maintenance via its fully equipped workshop, Yutong’s VDI confirms.

According to VDI Yutong general manager Lou Riccardi, “…having branches up and down the East Coast in Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne allows us to deliver the support which customers rightfully expect.

“Our dealerships are busy as we see increased sales in our new D7 28-seater and the expected delivery of another 40 EV city buses,” Riccardi stated.

“All our dealerships are equipped to handle sales, aftersales, parts, service and warranties and deal with all technical issues. Then, you add our indented dealers such as Adtrans

Above: According to VDI Yutong general manager Lou Riccardi, “…having branches up and down the East Coast in Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne allows us to deliver the support which customers rightfully expect.”

Yutong in Sydney, who do an excellent job for us, and our West Australian dealer Yutong Bus Centre WA, which provides the necessary links in the chain, supporting all current and future customers around Australia.”

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SYDNEY BUS DRIVERS VOTE FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION

THE WOT!?!

ARE YOU ENTERTAINED?

MORE THAN 1,000 bus drivers across Sydney’s inner west and south west have voted overwhelmingly ‘for the right’ to take industrial action over Transit Systems’ refusal to accept same-job, same-pay provisions, the Transport Workers Union (NSW branch) has announced.

Bus drivers in NSW contract areas Region 3 and Region 6 of Sydney’s bus network – which Kelsian Group Limited (formerly Sealink Travel Group) operates via subsidiary Transit Systems – voted convincingly in favour of taking action, with 97 per cent and 92 per cent voting in favour, respectively.

In an industry first, the Protected Action Ballot (PAB) for Region 6 covers members of both the TWU and Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU), meaning more than 800 drivers in the region now have the right to take industrial action, TWU NSW explains.

NO OPTION TWU NSW state secretary Richard Olsen says the company’s refusal to come to the negotiating table in good faith had left drivers with no option but to vote for the right to take industrial action.

“Bus drivers aren’t asking for a lot here; all they want is a guarantee that whether you’re driving a bus in Liverpool or in Leichhardt, you will be paid the same regardless – but Transit Systems are digging in their heels and forcing drivers to take action” Olsen said.

“If the company continues to dig its heels in, the state government – as the principal contractor – will need to step in. The new Transport Minister Rob Stokes urgently needs to drag Transit Systems into his office and talk some sense into them.”

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SUPER CHARGE In addition to the same-job same-pay provisions, drivers are also seeking for superannuation to be paid on all earnings, and for a pathway to 15 per cent Super, the union clarifies. Currently, drivers are not paid any Super on overtime or other additional earnings, which often make up a significant portion of drivers’ total income, it says.

“If 15 per cent Super is good enough for the prime minister then it’s good enough for our bus drivers, too,” Olsen explained.

The PAB votes come after more than 90 per cent of Transit Systems’ workers in Region 6 voted to reject an agreement put forward by the company without any consultation or negotiations having taken place, the union confirms.

The TWU has given an undertaking that industrial action will not disrupt HSC students during their exam period, it confirms.

When ABC magazine contacted Transit Systems for comment, a spokesperson replied: “We have undertaken nine separate negotiation meetings, of which, the TWU attended only one and the RTBU attended just four.

“We have listened and communicated extensively with our employees including regular twice-weekly Q&A updates, informative videos and an internal briefing on the proposed Enterprise Agreement for all employees, which included 60 minutes of paid time to those who viewed the session.

“We will continue to work with our employees and look forward to reaching a positive outcome,” he said.

This was interesting news in itself – Michigan State University (MSU) will have its first autonomous electric bus, a Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, on campus early next year – but what caught our eye was the striking character posing alongside it, who we first guessed to be Roman centurion.

Our bad! This is actually Sparty the Spartan warrior, MSU’s mascot, who is, “...both fearless and lovable”, as well as holder of the title ‘Buffest Mascot’ from Muscle and Fitness magazine. With Sparty on board (or Sparky – with it being an electric bus?

Okay, fine) it’s sure to be a bit hit!

TAKE-OFF!

There were unintended consequences to road repairs in Queens, New York, recently when a 113kg manhole cover blew off as an MTA bus drove over it, striking the understide of the vehicle and lifting it off its front wheels. The cover, which was thought to be inadequately secured after recent work on the road surface, punched a hole in the bottom of the bus and caused the driver to drive into a parked car. Luckily, there were no serious injuries.

IN REMEMBRANCE

While some buses are being adorned with huge moustaches for Movember (see p20), over in the UK city of Peterborough there were poppies adorning bus destination displays to acknowledge Remembrance Day, November 11. Here we have one of Stagecoach East’s double-deckers finishing off its evening run, with the destination board showing poppies and crosses to commemorate the fallen soldiers of WWI.

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BIC

Post-Covid landscape Is it too early to make a call on the ‘new norm’?

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Below: As attitudes towards travel change, the charter bus industry may see a boost.

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he world of transport changed significantly in 2020, with suppressed movement from around mid-March, as the Covid-19 pandemic led to border closures and stay-at-home orders.

There can be no doubt that the bus and coach industry relied on our embedded talent to respond quickly to emergency situations with flexible and innovative solutions.

Bus service schedules changed; buses and stations were cleaned more; broadband capacity was released to providers enabling staff to work from home (WFH), for those that could; and bus operators provided realtime capacity information on route services. Industry’s adaptation to Covid-19 has proven that capital is not the only solution; operators and employees flexed to deliver much of the change that has kept buses on the road, albeit with fewer passengers.

According to Infrastructure Australia, public transport usage in most Australian cities fell to 10–30 per cent of normal levels in the initial lockdown in 2020, but settled at a ‘new norm’ of around 60–70 per cent in the second half of the year. This may be a reflection of people partially returning to their workplaces and working and travelling more flexibly across the day.

Private motor vehicle use was the first mode to rebound to pre-Covid-19 levels, with more people driving to work and a significant number of households purchasing a second-hand car. Households that bought an additional car or a bike to avoid public transport are likely to use them more once the pandemic is over.

A person who invests in establishing their home office is also more likely to WFH in the future. A recent WFH report from the Australian Productivity Commission shows that one-third of Australians want to WFH three days a week and 20 per cent would like to work from home full-time.

Some regions are seeing a local boom of regional tourism and population, and are experiencing less-severe Covid-19 impacts. There is also a shift in residential movements from major city centres to

cheaper outer urban and regional centres. It falls upon the public transport sector to advise governments on bus investments and bus services’ requirements to avoid congestion problems and to provide safe and/or trusted alternatives to self-drive. It is important to note that 55 per cent of Australia’s road fatalities occur in regional areas. Buses will play a vital role in keeping Australians ‘road safe’ and ensuring the connectivity of regional, rural and remote communities.

So ... how is our tourism sector looking?

Covid-19 will eventually shift to an endemic status (we hope!). This means that whilst the coronavirus might not actively circulate in large populations, it will still make an appearance in places where immunity is low. The Delta variant has put any early predictions of a return to normal on shaky ground. The emergence of more variants with different infectious factors cannot be discounted. And whilst many countries are currently running vaccine distribution programs, it may be some time before enough of the global population are vaccinated to reach endemic status and safe international ‘travel bubbles’ can be reliably introduced and maintained.

So the truth of it is, bus businesses in the tourism sector will still need to be geared towards domestic tourism, albeit held ransom to our own domestic border open/ close status. There is some social commentary (your future customer) that international flight travel is not a sustainable practice with climate change being such a pressing issue.

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), sustainability and environmentally friendly travel will become more of a priority for travellers. Visiting natural areas, regional and local destinations with shorter travel distances may see our coach tourism sector recognised as having a low environmental footprint. The BIC has long advocated to governments to support land-transport tourism to encourage tourists to ‘travel across Australia, not over it’.

Dare we say the convergence of a global pandemic and consumer scrutiny on environmental impacts could actually turn out to be a windfall? Well … let’s not get too carried away, eh? Regardless, there is some truth in taking the opportunity to re-think the way we sell our tourism products and services. Maybe the time is ripe to invoke a ‘travel shorter, stay longer’ mantra.

Whatever the go-forward message, it is clear that the tourism industry will have to find new ways of functioning while Covid-19 continues to circulate. Public transport providers will need to continually adjust for changes in patronage behaviour. Peak bodies, such as the BIC, will need to ramp up the policy and advocacy wheel and there is no better time than right now at the cold face of a looming federal election.

Bookmark your browser with movingpeople.com. au to stay up to date and informed on what is going on nationally with industry and the federal government.

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come face to face with BIC national members at the 2022 Bus Industry Summit movingpeople.com.au/summit Accreditation Manager Advantech Australia Airbags Australia ATG Axalta Coating Systems Beneco BFI Fire BLK Auto Bridgestone/Bandag Brisbane City Council Bus & Coach International Bus Finance Australia Bus SA Bus Stop Sales BusInsure Buslines Group BusNSW BusTech Group BusWA Busways Group Camira Group Challenger Bus & Coach Coach Design Coachair Australia Coachworks ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia Connect Source Consat Telematics Consolidated Insurance Agencies Cooltek Asia Pacific Cummins Curratechnic Dal-Trans Denso Automotive Systems Australia Department of Transport Victoria Distinctive Systems (Australia) Downer EDI Engineering Power DTI Group Ebusco

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Electromotiv Express Coach Builders FIP Group FleetSafe/Mobileye Fry’s Spares Future Fleet International GIRO Global Bus Ventures Go Transit Media Group Heritage Finance HESS Hino Bus Australia I-Bus Sales Australia ICS Service Solutions Ideas Enterprise Independent Tyre Monitoring Solution INIT Interline Bus Service Into Training Australia iris Asia-Pacific Irizar Asia Pacific ISRI Seats IVECO Bus JCDecaux Australia & New Zealand Keolis Downer Kevrek (Australia) Kinetic Group KINNECT KlineFire LSM Technologies Luminator Technology Group MAHA Australia McConnell Seats Australia Mercedes-Benz Bus & Coach MKW Insurance Brokers Multispares Murrays Australia Navigate Health Australia netBI

Nexport NOVO Transport Systems Nuline Charter/Bayside Coaches O’Brien Glass Industries Omnibus Optibus Parts Supply Solutions/ Hanover Displays PBA Transit Planning Penske Commercial Vehicles Piper Alderman Pitcher Partners Port Stephens Coaches Precision Cleaning Australia Premier Transport Group PrimeWorks Public Transport Authority of WA Pulitano Group Punchbowl Bus Company Quantum Risk Management Queensland Bus Industry Council Red Bus Services Redcat Wheel Safety Rover Coaches Ryan Tax Services Australia S.M.S Diesel Spares Scania Australia Scriptus Consulting Siemens SMC Corporation (Australia) State Transit Authority of NSW Streamline Co StyleRide Seating Systems SURA Australian Bus and Coach

Tasmanian Bus Association The Orion Network Thermo King Bus Australia Thoreb Australia Tiger Spider Transdev Australasia Transfab Transit Systems Transit Training Solutions TransLink Transport Canberra Transportme Trapeze Group ANZ TWUSUPER UITP (International Association of Public Transport) United Safety & Survivability Corporation Valeo Group Valvoline Australia Ventura Systems Australia Victorian Diesel Services Viva Energy Australia Voith Turbo Volgren Volvo Bus Australia Wales Bus & Body Repairs Webfleet Solutions Wireless Alert Monitoring System Yutong Australia Zafety Lug Lock Australasia ZF Services Australia

National Members of the BIC as at 1 November 2021

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IN FOCUS

BCI 30TH BIRTHDAY

BCI BUS CELEBRATES 30TH BIRTHDAY Perth-based Australian bus manufacturer and distributor Bus and Coach International (BCI) has officially passed its 30th birthday date – October 17, 2021 – confirming its commitment to, “...continue bringing in the latest and safest bus product for years to come.”

WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES COURTESY BCI

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N PASSING October 17, and starting as a small family-run business, BCI’s 30 years of being in the Australian bus industry has marked it as an established historical member, which has distributed its buses around the country through its network in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.

In 1991, BCI founder Ron Nazzari created a local bus body builder that would become, in time, an international manufacturer exporting to prime markets around the globe, it states.

Current BCI CEO Desmond Armstrong says he’s confident about BCI’s future and contribution to the transportation industry on our soil: “Over the past 18 years – my time at BCI – I’ve seen the company grow from strength to strength and that has only been possible thanks to our fantastic staff and certainly our customers, whose continuous support

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and feedback have allowed us to be successful.

“Ron Nazzari had a Ford Falcon that was his office, workshop and spare parts department all in one,” remembered Armstrong.

While BCI is one of the largest bus and coach companies in Australia, the team still firmly maintains a family-focused approach to business, says Armstrong. These values extend through to the network of experienced dealers, who work to offer customers the highest level of after-sales support in Australia and across the Tasman, he says.

NEW TECH All BCI buses are built to international government statutory requirements and all in-house manufacturing and design is based on ISO 9001 standards, it confirms. The factory has current COP (Conformity of Production) certificates for Australia and Europe, as well as being authorised builders of bodies

on Mercedes-Benz chassis, and pods (passenger units) for full drive trucks (Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Hino and Fuso).

BCI says it remains committed to always trying to bring in the newest technology and innovation to its bus range.

In the years to come, BCI will incorporate even more zero-emission vehicles to its clients’ fleets, in a clear commitment with to, “…new sources of energy and a more sustainable future.”

Above: While BCI is one of the largest bus and coach companies in Australia, the team still firmly maintains a family focused approach to business, says current BCI CEO, Desmond Armstrong.

Opposite, Below: BCI says it remains committed to always trying to bring in the newest technology and innovation to its bus range.

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IN FOCUS

YUTONG BATTERY PROTECTION

BUS BATTERY PROTECTION KEY TO YUTONG ‘YESS’ SUCCESS

Inevitable e-bus collisions via external, uncontrollable on-road factors underlies Yutong’s advanced nitrogen-cooling ‘YESS’ battery-fire limitation and passenger evacuation system, the company reports.

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WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES COURTESY YUTONG AUSTRALIA/VDI

ISCERNING FORESIGHT and duty of care to responsibly protect passengers, its bus product and an operator’s reputation in any unfortunate – and statistically inevitable (at least until driverless buses become de rigueur) – accidents occurring spearheads Yutong’s next-gen design principles of its electric bus safety program called YESS (Yutong Electric and battery Safety protection Standards).

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The level of landmark engineering and safety design inherent in its new YESS strategy is impressively being backed by independent outlets – no less than Busworld.org – for it to become a global industry standard, it should be noted.

“There is no point not thinking about the rare but worse-case scenario of another vehicle colliding with your electric bus,” explained Yutong Australia/Vehicle Dealers International (VDI) national sales manager Warren Young.

“And given we are talking about high-end lithium batteries – where fire-ignition could occur if the cells aren’t protected properly, and if potential thermal runaway isn’t adequately checked to avoid a major disaster, and in turn potential fatalities – Yutong has put some serious financial investment and R&D into its YESS strategy,” Young stated.

The five-point electric-bus battery protection strategy factors in potential on-road collisions and a 1,300-degree C fire-resistant battery area construction

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that’s built low into the body design at the rear, in addition to state-of-the-art battery casings for the high-power lithium cells themselves. It is supremely under-written by a unique oxygen-sapping, temperature-cooling nitrogen gas system, all to allow maximised passenger evacuation time, according to Yutong.

VDI management here in Australia confirms that the YESS system will be included on its next batch of E12s – due mid-December, 2021.

WORLDWIDE LAUNCH Late August, 2021, the ‘Yutong Power Battery Safety Protection Standard Conference & Power Battery Safety Test’ was streamed live worldwide, with the company unveiling its latest EV bus safety technology: YESS. According to the company, it will be the world’s first EV safety technology to be applied in batches on commercial vehicles.

As described, YESS offers five layers of ‘protections’ – whole-vehicle security; system security; box security; component security; and monitoring security – realising three major improvements on safety levels, all-weather capability and road adaptability, it explains.

Research suggested that more than 30 per cent of EV battery failures were caused by external damages, it states. Therefore, instead of just protecting the battery, YESS covers the whole

vehicle and uses a ‘cage type’ structure “…to surround the battery with a high-strength fence to cushion such collisions.”

As for internal failures like ISC (Internal Short Circuit) and TR (Thermal Runaway), the system security of YESS applies the industry’s first nitrogen-protection technology to completely cut off the oxygen in the battery box to avoid combustion of any kind, it claims.

“When it comes to the separation of external and internal safety hazards, the box security of YESS ensures a multi-layered thermal-electrical coupling protection,” the company outlined.

TECH CONFIDENCE The component security comes in handy under extreme conditions

like high voltage, Yutong says.

It adapts the commercial vehicle-suitable multi-package liquid thermal technology to build a heating parts-free battery box, it adds. YESS is also about real-time monitoring; providing an all-time, all-fields monitor over the battery conditions, and a mobile app to enable the intelligent cloud

Opposite: VDI management here in Australia confirms that the YESS system will be included on its next batch of E12s – due mid-December, 2021.

Above: Real-time monitoring shows the battery condition.

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IN FOCUS

YUTONG BATTERY PROTECTION

passengers’ every journey on Yutong EV buses with safety, sustainability and comfort, the company states.

HOW HOT IS HOT?

Opposite: According to the company, it will be the world’s first EV safety technology to be applied in batches on commercial vehicles.

Above: The bus battery can withstand temperatures up to 1,300 degrees C. 32

management, Yutong explains.

“Confident in this technology,” Yutong conducted a battery safety test shown during the live stream, putting the YESS-equipped battery pack under extreme test conditions of overheating and overcharging to prove its safety and stability.

Stepping into the field of new energy vehicles in 2008, Yutong has a sold more than 150,000 units worldwide, it says, with the total operating mileage reaching 24,800,000,000km, it confirms.

Determined to mitigate the concerns over EV safety, Yutong says it shifted battery safety “into the next gear” with YESS – an “…all-around integrated safety solution that focuses on the whole vehicle as a completed system.”

As rapid growth and expansion of the EV industry is driving an urgent need to step up EV safety, Yutong is determined to continue upgrading its technology and updating YESS to guard

Once it is better understood just how hot an e-bus battery fire can get and why, and how resistant to heat the metals and materials used in bus construction must be, only then arguably can something like the YESS system be fully appreciated.

To explain further, ABC magazine spoke exclusively to Yutong/VDI’s Australian national technical manager Luke Edwards.

“The reason for the 1,300 degrees C temperature design is that, while the lithium iron phosphate battery cell’s burning temperature is 600 degrees C, when a number of cells are together in a thermal ‘runaway’ situation the factory testing showed the units reached over 1,000 degrees C, so [the design was] to ensure the safety of the product,” Edwards said.

“As part of the Yutong YESS system, the vehicle is fitted with a nitrogen system to pressurise the packs with the inert gas,” he added.

“Nitrogen has two functions; it limits the ability for a cell to propagate thermal ‘runaway’ between cells by limiting the oxygen that fire requires to occur,

plus it also acts as a temperature stability agent [cooling effect].

“The pack design has three layers of mechanical protection plus the nitrogen system. This consists of internal thermal insulation capable of withstanding 1,300 degrees C, a metal outer shell pack, and an ASC fireproof cover.

“This increases the thermal barrier between the battery system and the passenger compartment, which was already in place meeting ECE regulations.

“The vehicle structure has been improved for vehicle crash protection in areas that have been identified as common occurrences. This includes rear under-run, side-impact and heavy vehicle rear impact.

“These improvements ensure the Yutong vehicle exceeds all regulation requirements on safety,” Edwards concluded.

GLOBAL SUPPORT Busworld.org foundation managing director Jan Deman stated online, recently: “On behalf of Busworld and the Busworld

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Yutong is determined to continue upgrading its technology and updating YESS to guard passengers’ every journey on Yutong EV buses with safety, sustainability and comfort. foundation I would like to congratulate Yutong for the launch of this very important electric safety standard.

“Creating our own standards as an industry means that we are, in a proactive way, taking the lead in the regulations that our industry will have to follow in the following months.

“So Yutong is, to my knowledge, one of the first who is doing this and we will definitely implement these standards to all authorities all over the world via United Nations, via the European Commission, via the North American Alliance, etc.”

Likewise, Busworld expert on electric mobility Rob Overdijkink – who has specialised in battery and fire safety solutions related to lithium-based batteries – commented: “By experience we know battery and passenger safety is a vital issue for the next generation of electrical buses. Therefore we do appreciate all the efforts made by Yutong

to introduce [its] own safety standard named YESS – Yutong Electric Safety Standard.

“A few of the YESS highlights are, for example, a multi-layer thermal and mechanical protection; an ambitious nitrogen fire-suppression system; battery protection with a mica top layer; and ASC protection around the battery modules – as well as many other improvements.

“Yutong clearly shows its strong commitment to safety and pushes the overall safety for electrical buses to the next level. In the Busworld team we are looking forward to see Yutong presenting their new YESS generation buses in our shows and we will follow developments carefully in future.”

INEVITABLE IMPACT The inevitability and regularity of on-road collisions involving buses and trucks cannot be underplayed, various statistical

sources found worldwide will attest to.

In terms of the local Australasian region, yearly analysis from even the Australian government’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics, issued from within the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, states: “Counts of fatalities in crashes involving buses increased by 50 per cent compared with the corresponding 12-month period one year earlier – [though it] decreased by an average of 4.8 per cent per year over the three years to Jun 2021.”

Its Fatal Heavy Vehicle Crashes Australia — Quarterly Bulletin, released as recently as 20 August, 2021, provides a sobering reality check as to the importance of current and future e-vehicle design and battery safety standards for vested commercial vehicle operators, insurers, governments and passengers alike. busnews.com.au November 2021 ABC

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IN FOCUS

CRRC E-BUSES

AUCKLAND ADDING 150+ E-BUSES

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Touted as Australasia’s biggest ever electric bus order – which will, “...remove 10,000 tonnes of emissions annually,” it’s approximated – a further 152 battery electric buses (BEVs) will be added over four years via a partnership between Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Bus, the companies recently announced.

WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES COURTESY AUCKLAND TRANSPORT (AT)

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HE FLEET – using CRRC as preferred supplier with the buses imported as complete units – will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the AT Metro bus fleet by an estimated 11 per cent per year – almost 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually (relative to 2019 emissions.), AT states.

These BEVs will replace around 12 per cent of the diesel bus fleet in Tāmaki Makaurau, in alignment with AT’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap 2020 (LEBR), it confirms.

These additional BEVs will significantly boost the number of zero-emission buses operating on AT bus services across Auckland, with NZ Bus providing services in the city centre and across some of the city’s most congested urban areas, the company confirm.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff says the new electric buses will help the city progress its climate-change goals by reducing carbon emissions from transport.

“These 152 new e-buses will replace around 12 per cent of Auckland’s diesel bus fleet and reduce Auckland Transport’s greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 11 per cent annually – equivalent to almost 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year,” mayor Goff says.

“With transport making up more than 40 per cent of Auckland’s emissions profile, it’s crucial that we pull every available lever to reduce emissions.

“Having already halted the purchase of new diesel vehicles and rolled out 33 electric buses on more than 13 services throughout the region, this is another step towards a zero-emissions bus fleet for Tāmaki Makaurau.

“It’s encouraging to see Auckland Transport and NZ Bus working together to make that happen,” he stated.

THE ROLL-OUT The new e-buses will be deployed across four years, with plans for the

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CRRC E-BUSES

VIRTUAL ROOM AT’s current zero-emission bus fleet was showcased in a virtual exhibition at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland, this month.

To view AT’s case study in the virtual room at COP 26, please click: https://global-cities-climate-action-auckland.virtual-engage.com.

ABOUT CRRC Headquartered in Beijing, China, CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC) has 46 wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries with first group to be driving the Tāmaki Link from October next year, followed by other services operated from the central and east Auckland bus depots, AT explains.

AT’s chief executive Shane Ellison says it is critical that carbon emissions are reduced across the globe.

“As an organisation, Auckland Transport is dedicated to doing our bit by actively supporting the goals of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

“We are well on our way in transitioning to an emissions-free public transport fleet by 2040, which will have a myriad of benefits for Tāmaki Makaurau – including improved air quality within the city centre and healthier communities.

“Within the last 18 months we’ve introduced 33 new electric services in the city, Waiheke Island, as well as the new Airportlink service connecting with electric trains at Puhinui Station for a carbon-free trip to Auckland Airport. The announcement of 152 additional electric buses is extremely positive for our city.”

We are well on our way in transitioning to an emissions-free public transport fleet by 2040.

Above: “With support from AT and Waka Kotahi NZTA, we will significantly accelerate the electric vehicle rollout over the next four years and create a platform for further decarbonisation strategies to follow from there,” said NZ Bus executive director of Strategic Projects, Peter McKenzie.

NZ Bus executive director of strategic projects, Peter McKenzie said: “Auckland Transport and Auckland Council have been very supportive of the proposal and keen to work with us to increase the number of electric vehicles operating on AT’s bus services.

“The new decarbonisation team at Auckland Transport has been great to work with and really keen to improve Auckland’s emission profile as soon as possible.

“With support from AT and Waka Kotahi NZTA, we will significantly accelerate the electric vehicle rollout over the next four years and create a platform for further decarbonisation strategies to follow from there.”

more than 180,000 employees, it explains.

CRRC is the world’s largest supplier of rail transit equipment with the most complete product lines and leading technologies, it says.

Its main businesses cover the R&D, design, manufacture, repair, sale, lease and technical services for rolling stock, urban rail transit vehicles, engineering machinery, all types of electrical equipment, electronic equipment and parts, electric products and environmental protection equipment, as well as consulting services, industrial investment and management, asset management, and import and export, it adds.

EMISSIONS PROFILE According to the companies, AT and NZ Bus have been working on plans to accelerate the BEV introduction since late 2020, following a proposal from NZ Bus to replace a significant part of its current diesel fleet with electric buses.

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www.styleride.com.au

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IN FOCUS

FOXCONN E-BUS

FOXCONN INTRODUCES E-BUS MODEL A trio of self-developed electric vehicles – including a futuristic ‘mirrorless look’ city bus – has teased the global electro-mobility market after tech leader Foxconn (Hon Hai Technology Group) livestreamed the breaking news from its Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD21) 2021 event, recently.

WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES COURTESY FOXCONN

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N A MOVE to demonstrate its R&D and manufacturing capabilities – and no doubt garner mass interest from investors looking to enter into the EV space – Young Liu, chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group, a global leader in smart manufacturing – introduced three autonomously developed electric vehicles, recently.

These were the Model C recreational vehicle, the Model E sedan and, most 38

interestingly for the global city bus market, the Model T electric bus. According to the company, the announcement underlines Foxconn’s, “…commitment to become a global next-generation automotive manufacturer.”

‘STYLISH BUS’ Positioned as an intelligent transportation solution, the Model T is, “…a stylish urban bus,” according to the company.

Its high rigid body design and protection meets the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations and standards, Foxconn confirms.

Additionally, the Model T has completed 200,000km of acceleration endurance test and more than 1,000 hours of rigid strength tests at the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers alike, the company explains.

In terms of energy consumption and

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offer comfortable seating for 5+2 people and plenty of storage space, making it “…easy to navigate crowded metro areas while still enjoying the luxury of a larger car.”

The Model C, with a low 0.27 drag coefficient, accelerates from 0–100km/h in 3.8 seconds and delivers an extended range of 700km, it’s claimed.

Thanks to the open platform sharing advantages, consumers can, “…have a pure electric SUV with high performance, high efficiency, high intelligence, low energy consumption and large space at a reasonable price comparable to a fuel-powered car.”

F1 PACE Car enthusiasts were a bazillion times more enamoured, no doubt, with the Model E, jointly developed by Hon Hai and Italian design firm Pininfarina.

As a technologically innovative luxury flagship sedan it can meet the needs of middle and high-end consumers, Foxconn believes. At the same time, it is also the

advancement and emerging technologies,” the event’s ‘Tech Day’ focused on four core themes: passion, technology, software and experience.

Lilian Chen, CEO of Yulon Motor Group, appeared alongside a Model C electric vehicle together with Shen Jong-chin, vice-premier of the Executive Yuan, who was present to deliver the keynote speech.

Hon Hai founder Terry Gou made a surprise appearance by driving out in a Model E electric car. Gou – celebrating his birthday at the event – has always believed that the adoption of electric vehicles would inevitably be a global trend by the simple fact that it has become the world’s largest and most expensive smart electronic device, Foxconn explains.

He believes that with the strong capabilities in electronic manufacturing, including semiconductors, modules, precision machinery and operation, Taiwan can play a key role in the development of electric vehicles.

Gou expressed that the Model E electric

Consumers can have a pure electric SUV with high performance, high efficiency, high intelligence, low energy consumption and large space at a reasonable price. endurance, the Model T’s battery can “… withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees”, across a range of more than 400 kilometres, the company claims.

Under full load conditions, the maximum climbing capacity can reach 25 per cent, and the maximum speed can reach 120km/h, providing drivers with a relaxed and smooth driving experience, whilst allowing passengers a comfortable and safe journey, it adds.

CAR CREATIONS The Model C is the first built on Hon Hai’s electric vehicle open platform and is positioned as the intrinsically optimised electric SUV with pure electric nature, Foxconn says.

The Model C’s four core features are: shape, space, power and energy consumption. Its design does not only have a minimalist appearance, but it has also significantly minimised the spaces used for mechanical components, while maximising seating space, it explains.

The Model C – which is 4.64 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.86 metres – is said to

high-quality first choice for businesses, it adds.

The rear seat space can transform into a dedicated mobile office, with personal mobile devices seamlessly connected to the passenger car, enabling a series of smart applications such as face-recognition door opening, smart windows and vehicle and environment interfaces.

In addition to luxury and comfort, the Model E – with its high-performance and advanced dynamic control technology – delivers a power output of about 750 horsepower and achieves 0–100km/h acceleration in a staggering 2.8 seconds, it’s claimed – “…better than comparable models in the market and almost at the pace of a Formula One racing car,” Foxconn is quick to highlight.

The Model E also has a 750km range to address the ‘range anxiety’ of most electric car users, it states.

THE CONCEPT Upholding the company’s vision of “3+3=?”, which is said to symbolise the, “…infinite possibilities created by the group’s industrial

car was, “the best birthday present for him”, which is why he insisted on driving it.

TRILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS Chi-Sen Tso, vice chairman of Foxtron – the joint venture between Hon Hai and Yulon Motor – expressed that in the past year, Hon Hai had made significant achievements in electric vehicle development that included strategic partnership alliances, critical technology research and development, as well as the expansion of a global production network.

In the coming five years, in line with its strategic vision, the establishment of the global network together with the accumulated knowledge, electric vehicles will become another Hon Hai trillion (TWD) dollar business.

Hon Hai will soon be able to share the progression of its 3+3 vision and provide more details around new initiatives such as the launch of a software smart gateway, smart cockpit and smart driving, transforming itself into a software-driven enterprise for the future, it explains. busnews.com.au November 2021 ABC

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INDUSTRY FOCUS

E-BUS CHARGING: WEIGHING UP COST As e-mobility rolls out, bus operators keen to make the transition will be seriously weighing up the cost of charging infrastructure – which can be daunting. Is it a case of how it is perceived, though? ABB discusses.

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E ARE SEEING exciting advancements in the electrification of public transport networks around the world and buses are taking centre stage.

E-mobility is rapidly changing the face of public transport. For example, in 2019, the world’s first 12-metre, fully electric, autonomous, 40-seater bus was launched in Singapore, powered by ABB’s HVC 300P fastcharging system, which recharges a battery in 3–6 minutes using a pantograph for endpoint charging.

Closer to home and ABB in Australia is supplying and installing electric vehicle charging stations at Perth’s Joondalup Bus Depot to power electric buses along the popular, free 5km Joondalup CAT (Central Area Transit) route commencing early 2022.

Additionally, in Queensland, ABB EV infrastructure is charging Australia’s first 100 per cent sustainably powered 40

full-size electric bus by Transdev.

The advancements made in just a few years alone are exciting, yet for many operators contemplating introducing e-buses into their fleet, be it to trials or embark on advanced fleet transition, the issue of upfront costs versus total cost of ownership is compelling in the decision-making process.

As ABB Australia explains, what these examples begin to showcase are the opportunities facing public authorities and transit operators, and the trade-offs they need to consider when capitalising on electric vehicle technology.

Particularly considering the number of jurisdictions that outsource public transport to private operators, the direct business case for an e-fleet has to stack up, many will attest. And it does, in significant immediate and long-term environmental gains and in cost savings when based on the total cost of ownership (TCO), says ABB.

ONGOING COST At the outset, infrastructure costs can be significant compared to diesel systems, without doubt. Providers face depot upgrades for charging infrastructure, power upgrades, the fleets themselves and so on, ABB explains. However, it’s the ongoing costs that are far lower, it adds. Research cited by Charge Together Fleets shows that electric vehicles can reduce fuel and maintenance costs by up to 90 per cent compared with combustion engine cars.

In Australia, Melbourne Water is one organisation that has estimated cost savings of approximately $2,000–$3,000 per year per electric vehicle in its fleet, according to ABB. The beauty of this is that ‘refuelling’ is substantially cheaper after those initial outlays. Servicing is simplified, with around one third of the components of diesel counterparts – such as no gearbox and no engine and no oil changes – and the focus is on braking and suspension, it says.

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With much lower operating costs from day one, depots that look at integrations such as solar, and opportunities such as intelligent charging out of peak, have the potential to reduce that overall running cost even further at a later date, it explains.

CASE BY CASE The key will be tailoring charging solutions for public transport e-fleets. As buses follow fixed schedules and routes, there is no unpredictability around range.

The anchor decision, says ABB, is thus the bus charging strategy – because efficient recharging reduces electric bus operating costs.

There are three main types: · Depot charging (typically overnight running at relatively low power levels for longer (10-150kW) · Terminal charging (typically day-time for less than two hours) · En-route and on-board charging (requiring DC chargers operating between 150kW and 600kW).

Cities that are seeing the greatest success from their e-bus set-up are using a hybrid approach to these charging options, ABB confirms.

“They are also looking at it holistically and planning for the full range of forces that impact performance and cost,” said ABB Australia E-Mobility Solutions lead, Steve Amor.

“With depot charging, the battery needs sufficient capacity to complete each route.

However, increased battery size reduces passenger capacity and increases the cost and weight of the vehicle – as much as 45 per cent of upfront costs with a depot-only charging strategy come from the battery.

“With terminal charging, charging times need to be less than scheduled breaks.

This can become challenging to manage during peak periods, requiring either partial recharging or risking a delay.

“As a result, they typically require more resources to deliver a reliable public transport solution: more buses, drivers, and terminal and depot charging stations,” Amor explained.

AUSTRALIAN DIFFERENCE Interestingly, in the Australian market, it should be noted that there is early preference for depot charging with great emphasis on battery capacity and longevity per route, per day. But should this always be the case here and will cities re-structure so as to enable route charging points?

As ABB explains, en-route and on-board

solutions have improved significantly in recent years and can take a variety of forms.

For example, cable charging offers several charging levels. ABB’s starts at 24kW and can move up to 350kW, it confirms.

“That introduces a lot of flexibility in the design of a bus network, with charge times dependent on the battery system and energy management of the fleet,” said Amor.

“When this is coupled with fast-operating pantograph up and down solutions, efficiency can go to the next level.

“Again, there are trade-offs. For example, with pantograph up, the charging infrastructure is from within the bus,” he highlighted.

that bus operators need to consider.

Achieving a low TCO means operating only as many vehicles as needed and optimising those vehicles, their batteries and their supporting infrastructure, ABB says.

Goals such as minimising the footprint, aiming for modular units that can easily scale up, and integrating features like automated connection systems and remote management, come into play – alongside rethinking approaches to old disciplines, such as maintenance schedules, it adds.

However, charging strategies are consistently delivering a core advantage and deploying a mix of these charging opportunities is proving to be the winner, it advises.

Operators can maintain their focus where it’s needed – on the schedule – not on range.

However, this adds weight and reduces capacity for passengers (and revenue), it should be noted.

With pantograph down, the charging infrastructure is on the route, meaning less weight on the bus, creating opportunities for other features such as air-conditioning.

“We are seeing most countries opting for pantograph-down solutions, but the key point is that technology is creating a breadth of choice so that cities can design e-fleet solutions that best optimise their context,” Amor explained.

“The core logic is charge fast and often – a proven way to minimise costs and maintain schedules via charging while passengers embark and disembark.”

MULTIPLE VARIABLES Naturally, there are numerous other factors

“It means that operators can maintain their focus where it’s needed – on the schedule – not on range,” Amor said.

“As for ABB, we see only an upside as cities continue to make the shift. We’re already seeing governments, like in France and the UK, bring forward their zero-emission zones because they are seeing the direct and immediate benefits of e-fleet cost savings and air and noise quality improvements.

“Having delivered the charging infrastructure to power the first 100 per cent electric ferry, which can be charged in less than 10 minutes when docked – now operating between Denmark and Sweden – the horizon also extends well beyond buses, as we continue to deliver an ever-smarter, safer and more sustainable public transport future,” Amor stated. busnews.com.au November 2021 ABC

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INDUSTRY FOCUS

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CAMIRA

200 YEARS IN THE MAKING As it approaches its 200th anniversary, UK-company Camira Fabrics has established itself in the global commercial textiles industry as a ‘go-to’ leader. For bus and coach, it offers the full package when it comes to designing and manufacturing for transport interiors: flat-wovens, moquettes, leathers, vinyls and a range of co-ordinating trims, it states.

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INDUSTRY FOCUS

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o public transport journey is complete without the comfortable, safe, tactilepleasing and visually inviting components within a vehicle. For passengers, where seats are the main superstructure to which a traveller makes that connection during their journey, the materials used on these are arguably the biggest advertisement and main point of contact as to how that journey will be.

Textiles specialist Camira Fabrics has been supplying high-end quality materials for a range of bus and coach seating applications globally for many years, which is to be expected from a company soon to successfully reach

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its 200th anniversary in 2022.

Here, ABC magazine takes a brief look at how – and why – it all began and where it’s going in future.

THE ORIGINS The company’s story began in 1822, when a cloth manufacturer named John Holdsworth founded a worsted spinning mill named Holdsworth in Halifax, in the North of England.

With a rich family history in fabric manufacturing, Holdsworth already had extensive knowledge of the industry and the company quickly grew. It established its reputation for providing speciality

cloth for railroads and shipping companies and began supplying these to transport organisations across the world, Camira explains.

Nearly 200 years later, while the head office and core manufacturing facility remain in Yorkshire – not far from where Holdsworth first began – the company’s reach has continued to be truly global, with warehouse and distribution facilities in the USA, Australia, a manufacturing plant in Lithuania, and distributors in North America, Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific, it confirms.

MODERN MOQUETTE To celebrate its 200-year anniversary,

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A MATTER OF CHOICE

Camira recently revitalised the Aura range, it states. A wool-rich ‘moquette’, this iconic textile blends the rich heritage of transport with the new era of electric buses through its collection of 200 colourways, it explains.

A visit to the Camira Fabrics website will bring searchers to its Aura ‘look book’ and give them the ability to use the company’s virtual configurator to ‘View in 3D’ seating with a pattern of your choice. Here, one can mix and match patterns, colours and complementary trims to create your perfect combination.

Why choose moquette, you may ask? There are many reasons: it is the textile of choice in the public transport market for many operators and PT networks dedicated to the need to ensure a passenger’s journey – particularly in the popular city bus market – is as safe and pleasing as possible.

Key to its appeal, says Camira, is that it is durable, comfortable, easy to care for and there are “boundless designs” on offer for a range of vehicles and trip needs.

Of particular interest for many will be the wool moquette mix – but just why is wool of certain appeal? Primarily because of four key points: • wool is natural; • durable; • renewable and sustainable; and • flame retardant, with low smoke toxicity and density.

SAFETY AND COMFORT In Australasia we are seeing increased safety (flame, smoke and toxicity) ratings in the bus and coach industry, Camira explains. In that context, when it comes to the highest safety the wool-rich fabrics come to the fore and, in particular, the wool-rich moquette stands out as the preferred seating fabric with the combination of safety, comfort,

The Holdsworth moquette remains a staple in the Camira portfolio. durability and practicality, confirms Camira.

NOT JUST MOQUETTE Overall, the company’s range of transport interior fabrics includes: flat-wovens, moquettes, leathers, vinyls and an extensive range of co-ordinating trims.

Camira’s specialty fabrics have been developed for all applications, it explains, such as: seating, curtains, walls, bulkheads, luggage racks and ancillary trimming. All are stringently tested to meet the latest technical and flammability standards, it confirms.

As Camira’s Melbourne-based area business manager – APAC (transport), Rodney Peterson, explains: “Camira is proud that the continuous development which defined the Holdsworth name is alive and well in the Camira brand.”

For more information and inspiration check out Camira’s newly updated website at www.camirafabrics.com.

Opposite: Camira’s Aura Twist wool-rich moquette comes in 200 colourways.

Above: Customers can use the 3D tool on Camira’s website to build their perfect seat combination.

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COVERSTORY

HYZON-BLK HYDROGEN

NO HARD CELL

In the barren, open mining spaces of Australia’s Outback regions, low to no carbon emissions might seem the last priority on any heavy vehicle operator’s list – or it used to. If diesel is soon to be dust, is hydrogen the answer? Hyzon and BLK Auto sure do think so.

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hick red dust and ochrecoloured hues saturate the vast plains and ancient rocky outcrops of the famed Pilbara region, stretching the width of north Western Australia.

Here, in the heat of the day and the dusks and dawns punctuating the night – long from view of undisturbed city dwellers often ignorant of the region’s beauty and rich mining resources – umpteen commercial vehicles traverse the landscape, ferrying loads of precious

metals and minerals from the mining sites and the most precious cargo of all, back and forth to go garner them – people – via passenger coach, who Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) for the work.

It is a tough ol’ land out there and not the place where comfort and safety can be compromised, as a coach’s reliability is ever tested with each wheel turn.

Long the domain of diesel-powered vehicles, those wheels aren’t the only things turning, as moods and methods change to bring zero-emissions vehicles

even to those far away regions of Australia.

And, ironically, in such a dry and dusty outcrop devoid often for long periods of decent rain, the only thing authorities want emitting from a bus tailpipe is … water.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is nothing new for bus and truck manufacturers and operators, yet perhaps only now is the technology’s true calling being realised.

And it is across Australia’s massive landmass and distances to be devoured that hydrogen fuel-cell coaches look well-placed to truly hit their mark. busnews.com.au November 2021 ABC

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COVERSTORY

HYZON-BLK HYDROGEN

vast distances and sparse infrastructure are unique challenges in a ‘decarbonising world’, the company is growing its presence to serve the market, it explains.

“Zero-emission, hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles provide the operational capabilities of diesel vehicles – long range, significant power – with the environmental benefits of a battery electric vehicle,” said Hyzon CEO Craig Knight.

“We applaud the various governments in Australia for recognising this and facilitating the adoption of hydrogen as evidenced by various funding packages and incentive programs.”

A unique collaboration between fuel-cell technologist Hyzon and bus manufacturer BLK is leading the charge for such hydrogenpowered buses to make greater inroads into the Australian bus market. And with its proponents’ solid local experience and a knack for knowing what works here – or how it needs to – the road ahead for the tech looks as rich and red as the thick dust the vehicles will need to cut through each day.

THEY’VE LANDED Australia’s first hydrogen fuel-cell electric coach hit Australian roads and was on display, recently, following an official 48

joint Hyzon-BLK Auto launch function in Brisbane, Queensland.

While initial Hyzon vehicles will be imported from factories internationally, Hyzon expects to localise production of key platforms in Australia from 2022, it says.

Hyzon partnered with leading bus and coach chassis builder BLK Auto to produce the 50-seat coach – made from Australian steel – which has a range of up to 430 miles (700km) and a 350kW-producing motor, Hyzon confirms.

The hydrogen-powered coach is an example of Hyzon increasing investment in Australia, it says. Recognising that Australia’s

MINING AND MORE Interest from customers is high in Australia, the company states, and Hyzon has already announced binding and non-binding agreements for refuse collection vehicles and ultra-heavy-duty prime movers in addition to the coaches, it explains.

“The coach has attracted significant interest since it arrived at our facility, with local bus operators, representatives from various government departments, mining companies and tourism operators coming to see the coach in action and learn more about how these zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell-powered coaches can

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It was about choosing the right bus manufacturer for this Australian project, which was BLK. be adopted in their respective industries,” said BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic.

While initial Hyzon vehicles will be imported from factories internationally, Hyzon expects to localise production of key platforms in Australia from 2022, it says.

ORIGINS OF THOUGHT While there will be many advocates of hydrogen bus technology coming into the Australasian market – if not here already – few will have the experience and local knowledge that Pecotic has after being in the Australian bus industry for many, many years.

When ABC magazine caught up with him recently for an exclusive chat, we wanted to find out just what exactly inspired him to foresee the use of hydrogen buses here on such scale and, in particular, for coaches to be used in such tough, demanding Australian conditions.

“The trigger was when we received the expression of interest from the customer, which I ignored initially

Opposite, Top: Hyzon says that interest in zeroemission vehicles is growing in Australia.

Opposite, Left: Advancements in technology means that hydrogen fuel-cell coaches can provide the same operational capabilities of diesel vehicles.

Top: Hyzon and BLK have produced a 50-seat coach with a range of 700km.

Above, Right: Hyzon says that vehicles will localise production of key platforms from 2022.

because I figured the big guys would be involved in a project like this, but there would be no such thing from them,” Pecotic recalled.

“The customer called me a few months later to see if I was at all interested in the expression of interest, as there really were no ‘big guys’ for the project. It was at that point it all reminded me of when I used to be a distributor for Higer buses in Australia, circa 2008-2013, and recalled Higer used to have a few fuel-cell buses.”

“China has been ahead of everyone in terms of fuel-cell technology, buses and vehicles.

“I was driving BEV cars [battery electric vehicles] in 2009 in China, and it seemed China as a whole was ahead with BEV. So, for me,fuel-cells really came to mind via my Higer experience back in 2015.

“So, I jumped on a plane and went to China. I visited a few bus

manufacturers and a few fuel-cell manufacturers.

“And then I realised that the hydrogen systems would work [for the project] because I saw it work in hydrogen fuel-cell trucks there. Once I understood how fuel cells and hydrogen worked in such vehicles I could see it was a great idea for zero-emissions fuels moving forward.

“I figured if we can put a fuel-cell into a bus and have water pouring out the back as the ‘pollution’ and emissions, it was a great concept and seemed perfect for our environment, so I chose Horizon as the fuel-cell supplier and BLK as the bus supplier.

“For me, it was about choosing the right bus manufacturer for this Australian project, which was BLK, because they ‘Australianise’ their buses and build their buses specifically for Australian standards.

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COVERSTORY

HYZON-BLK HYDROGEN

“I chose Horizon because of Craig Knight’s involvement in the company and his in-depth knowledge of hydrogen fuel-cell technology and vehicle applications.

Unfortunately, Covid stopped any travel; however, ‘online computer conference calls’ saved the day and allowed BLK and Horizon to meet with our client three times a week for 14 months across six timezones and three countries to now have the first HFC coach on the Gold Coast.

“The coach also completed 15,000km of testing in the Hubai commercial testing facility in China. Our client then had FEV – a worldwide certification company – verify our powertrain at our factory in Nanchang.”

HYZON V HORIZON? Are Hyzon and Horizon one and the same or two different companies, we asked?

“Well, yes they called themselves Horizon [fuel-cells], but then they rebranded for their [full] vehicles; Hyzon is effectively a Hyzon vehicle with a Horizon fuel-cell,” Pecotic clarified.

“I met Craig late 2019 at the Horizon factory in Hongqiao, China, when looking at fuel-cell trucks and then we flew down to Nanchang to convince BLK to build the fuel-cell coaches.

“It is basically a fuel-cell version of the BLK [Bonluck] President 2, which came in diesel but now also fuel-cell. So, it’s a hydrogen fuel-cell in an electric bus.

“That is, BLK are building electric buses already, so it was very easy for them to adapt to and implement the fuel-cell technology in their coach.

“This was the first fuel-cell bus for BLK 50

to manufacture – and the reason they did it was the potential of our client here in Australia, and the potential of this product elsewhere in Australia.

“If this product would do as well as we knew it could, we knew it would be big. It’s put them – BLK – on the map in China.

“Right now, there is one coach here on the Gold Coast with one coach about to depart China for WA and with the other eight in various stages of build in our factory. The 10 coaches will all be in Perth by the end of February, 2022.

“The client has other mine sites where they want to replace their diesel fleet, so we will see more fuel-cell coaches with this client here in WA into the future,” Pecotic stated.

BIGGER PICTURE So, where to now for the Hyzon-BLK Auto team as this hydrogen fuel-cell bus project goes forward?

“Right now, BLK Auto has engaged Graham Belgum, who is the ex-CEO of Optare. He started the roll-out of 10 Transport for London hydrogen buses built in 2003 and steered the program for 10 hydrogen buses for the 2012 London Olympics. He is now on board with us and designing a low-floor, fuel-cell city bus for our customers and local body builders in Australia.

“We are also now working with Cummins with our fuel-cell low floor city buses and future fuel-cell truck applications.

“The fuel-cell concept doesn’t change much between each application except for range, which involves more tanks.

“We’ve now had strong enquiries from several other bus-operators in Australia including mine operations and large tour coach operators, so that’s why BLK Auto is engaging additional fuel-cell experts like Graham Belgum.”

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The fuel-cell tech doesn’t change between city bus, or long-distance coach or truck – it’s the same.

ABOUT HYZON Headquartered in Rochester, NY, with US operations in the Chicago and Detroit areas, and international operations in the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, Germany and China, Hyzon is a leader in fuel-cell electric mobility with an exclusive focus on the commercial vehicle market, and a near-term focus on back-to-base (captive fleet) operations, it says.

Utilising its proven and proprietary hydrogen fuel-cell technology, Hyzon aims to supply zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and buses to customers in North America, Europe and around the world to mitigate emissions from diesel transportation, which is one of the single largest sources of carbon emissions globally, it explains.

The company is contributing to the escalating adoption of fuel-cell electric vehicles through its demonstrated technology advantage, leading fuel-cell performance and history of rapid innovation, Hyzon states.

ABOUT BLK AUTO Opposite, Left: Utilising BLK’s electric busbuilding expertise, it was easy to implement fuelcell technology into its buses.

Top + Right: The fuel cell technology can be adapted to a wide range of different vehicle types.

Above, Left: Hyzon is growing its presence in the Australian market to meet the needs of customers utilising hydrogen fuel-cell tech in sometimes very remote locations.

BLK Auto is a leading automotive designer, importer, distributor and manufacturer of bus, coach, truck and vans in Australia and New Zealand, it says. The company also partners with some of the world’s leading OEMs in building its bodies to their chassis, it adds.

Renowned for its quality diesel buses, BLK Auto continues to grow and support its existing customer base whilst embracing the strategy around zero-emissions transport, it says. This has facilitated the pivoting to provide the market not only with its range of diesel (DSL) buses and coaches, but with the addition of both BEV as well as hydrogen fuel- cell (HFC) transportation.

BLK Auto also introduced the range of JAC BEV commercial trucks to further service its customers. JAC Motors is majority owned by Volkswagen Group, which provides confidence in BLK Auto’s relationship moving forward, it confirms.

BLK Auto has one of the largest product ranges in the Australian/ New Zealand market with vehicles ranging from 12- to in excess of 77-seats. BLK is a boutique provider, “…well primed to service the growing needs for DSL, BEV and HFC commercial vehicles as demand continues to grow whilst partnering with bus operators, schools, local councils, state governments, logistics and rental operators, it states.

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INTERVIEW

SEAN STOVE - ABB

HIDDEN POTENTIAL

E-mobility’s charging infrastructure mass-implementation challenges going forward seem daunting at best. Yet what if its ‘hidden potential’ for unforeseen revenue growth – particularly for bus and truck operators – presents the business case needed to ‘ just make it happen’?

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HILE THE storage capacity, charging rates, electricity grid dependency and support based on time of use per day is key, it’s the unique combinations of equipment and a deeper understanding how to maximise its use for new revenue streams that is starting to excite operators keen to understand truly ‘what’s in it for them’.

ABC magazine spoke exclusively to ABB Australia’s Sean Stove, Transport Segment Lead, to learn more...

ABC: Hello, Sean. Hope all is well and thanks for joining us. Firstly, before we start, and as we always do, could you please explain to our readers a little bit about yourself and how you got to work for ABB in Australia?

SS: Hello. Thanks for the invitation.

I’m currently ABB Australia’s head of transportation and rail segments, having been involved in the rail sector since 2003.

Joining ABB in 1997, I held numerous senior roles in sales, operations and business development across Asia Pacific and Europe.

In this role I’m responsible for leading ABB’s offering to the rail and transportation industry, from innovative solutions for rolling stock propulsion to energy-efficient solutions for power infrastructure to software optimisation for asset health and management.

After completing my Electrical Certificate from Christchurch Polytechnic, I became a graduate of the University of Queensland’s Mt Eliza MBA Program, and completed the Senior Leadership Development program at 52

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the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.

to a study by GreenBiz and UPS. We see those play out in the business cases and ultimate results of our clients time and

ABC: Excellent. Thank you. So, this concept that an operator’s charging infrastructure – which would be a daunting cost to them from an initial start-up viewpoint, as e-buses and e-trucks increasingly are promoted via government regulation and policy here as needing to be adapted as soon as possible – could be offset by maximising usage ‘downtime’. Is that a plausible possibility? And if so, what exactly would be involved to achieve it? How can e-bus charging’s ‘unused power’ lead to unforeseen revenue potential?

again. What we’ve also seen is an emerging third motivator that is not only available to commercial fleet operators, but also to retail and commercial businesses – and that’s new revenue streams opened up by selling electric

ABB’s approach is to work with the installer and engineer to determine the most effective solution for a given organisation’s goals.

vehicle charging station capacity.

Across Australia, we have only just past 3,000 public charging stations. While the lack of installed charging stations has been a barrier to electric vehicle adoption, recent state government support and private sector initiatives will

ABC: Has this been done before – either here or overseas? Is this a theoretical model, or has a fleet vehicleusing entity actually on-sold their extra power this way?

result in an acceleration of the roll-out of charging infrastructure.

SS: Well, one real-life example is

There are too many critical social,

from Germany. ABB partnered

economic and environmental

with Münchner Taxi Zentrum

drivers for it to go away. There is

(MTZ) to look at energy savings

SS: Fleet charging infrastructure

still significant potential for more

and new commercial models

has become a new revenue

charging infrastructure, with

for small- to medium-sized

frontier. The two leading reasons

the growing need, presenting a

enterprises.

for commercial fleet operators to

compelling business case

go electric are sustainability and

for charging stations as a new

opportunity for leveraging

total cost of ownership, according

revenue stream.

the ‘latent energy’ of charging

That work pointed to a clear

Above: Drivers of e-mobility uptake are sustainability and total cost of ownership.

Opposite: ABB Australia’s transport segment lead Sean Stove.

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16/11/21 11:51 am

INTERVIEW

SEAN STOVE - ABB

infrastructure as a new source of business value.

Rather than digging up roadway and running more cables, the ideal is a modular distribution system.

The analysis looked at the performance of MTZ’s 10 Jaguar iPace taxis and five ABB 50kW Terra 54 DC fast-charging stations.

We found that, during a single 24-hour period, there were up to 20 hours where the charging

Selling spare charging station

For example, MTZ had 10 electric

facilities were not used. As their

taxis using five chargers with two

capacity as a service itself offers

pricing was based on the peak,

peak charging periods before the

a range of applications.

there was no penalty as long as

morning and evening rush hours.

the company operated under that

Outside of those hours, they were

to serve consumers wanting

peak for the remaining 20 hours.

sitting on an untapped resource.

a convenient place to charge

For example, you may be able

In other words, there was a total additional load capacity of more than 4,000kW hours over a 24-hour period that could be on-sold at no additional cost.

We know that businesses will achieve a quality return on investment (ROI) in a reasonable timeframe from making the shift to electric vehicles. What we want to encourage is for businesses to explore how they can compress that ROI pay-off

their car, or co-share with other

ABC: What is needed to make this happen? Is a set combination of capital equipment ‘straight out of the box’ able to provide this extra power, or are we talking about a bespoke combination of tools and equipment very much dependant on an operator’s unique situation – geographic location, depot size, fleet number, etc?

by turning their charging stations

54

into a revenue opportunity based

SS: The business case for charging

on unused capacity.

station revenue is simple, really.

enterprises also making the leap to an electric fleet.

Selling capacity requires modest set-up costs in processes and Above: As e-mobility grows, charging services present a strong business opportunity.

technologies – such as digital

Opposite, Bottom: New revenue streams open up to companies selling electric vehicle charging station capacity.

and monitor tariff structures.

tracking to measure customer use and monitor your energy profile.

The key is to ensure you operate beneath your maximum peak Our advice is to remember that not all sites are the same. What works on one site may not work at another due to factors such as the amount of power running past or

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ABC: Is this a year-round proposition? Is there consistency in the revenue stream, so operators can plan ahead now with what they have at the end annually to help calculate and offset initial start-up costs?

Surely there is some massive battery storage needed to hold stored energy, so it is on demand for others (non-vehicular, or other vehicular)? Or is it instantly on tap because the capacity is just there?

SS: Front and centre is the ability to

SS: It’s about building for the future, for

adapt to changing conditions. For

sure. In addition to those immediate

example, charging during the middle of

considerations, a major priority is

summer will have different peak periods

installing charger technology that

because of the use of other assets, like

can be upgraded. We now have

air-conditioning. A system needs to be

some modular solutions that start

able to adapt to seasonality.

at 90kW and can be upgraded over

Then there is the ability to adapt to changing business drivers.

For example, some providers won’t always want to bill for charging, like retail

time as long as the distribution system can also be upgraded to support it.

For a business looking at how they

shops that use a ‘first 20 minutes free’

can attract revenue from charging, their

offer to attract shoppers to their centre.

next question should be how it can

And in all contexts there can be different

grow capacity as the revenue stream

approaches to billing, whether based on

grows. Rather than digging up roadway

time or energy used.

and running more cables, the ideal is a

The key is to appropriately limit the

modular distribution system supported

time someone is on the charger while

by an upgradable charger (and a

giving them maximum range from the

charger geared for multiple battery

time they have. These are some of the

types), so that both can cater for

considerations we focus on.

future demand.

ABC: Interesting. So, if this is over a long period of time – and like, for example, in paying off a car loan or mortgage – does everything stay the same, in terms of the type of tech and payments?

Or will – like a car – depreciation kick in and this will have to be on-sold, or – like property – will equipment need to be upgraded and added to (extension, pergola, swimming pool, etc) as potential additional demand increases?

infrastructure in Australia, and growing

Together with the lack of charging the distribution set-up in the building.

For organisations forming their business case, we recommend commissioning a load study first and then analysing that against a power study on your building. From there, as a supplier of chargers, ABB’s approach is to work with the installer and engineer to determine the most effective solution for a given organisation’s goals – and doing that based on future requirements as well as current.

number of electric vehicles, charging services present a strong business opportunity. With considered pricing, it is an opportunity to create a new revenue stream that is likely to support businesses until they have reached their own ROI goals – and likely before charging infrastructure is commonplace.

To us, unused capacity is an unrealised opportunity for new and ongoing value.

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OPERATOR

EMERALD COACHES

GOING GREEN

Queensland private bus operator Emerald Coaches is to convert its fleet of 120 buses to ‘green’ fuel-cell hydrogen power via an approx. AUD$100 million project running until 2040, it announced, recently.

WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES EMERALD COACHES

T

HE TRANSITION to hydrogen will make Emerald Coaches the first of its kind in Australia to, “…commit to a zeroemissions target by introducing hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to their fleet from 2022.”

As the largest provider of school bus services in the Central Highlands, the company will complete more than one million passenger trips per annum on hydrogen-powered buses, starting at the end of next year.

In a timely announcement ahead of the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow that took place recently, the project will offer a, “…completely sustainable transport solution” with “…benefits to the environment, 56

local community, and passengers” and is “…estimated to cost approximately $100 million dollars,” according to the company.

Emerald Coaches’ diesel-powered vehicles currently use in excess of one million litres of fuel every year, producing 3,100 tonnes of greenhouse emissions, it explains. Under the ‘e-Mission zero project’, the entire fleet will be replaced by 2040, 10 years ahead of the federal government’s net zero-emissions target, it states.

Most interestingly, the ‘green hydrogen’ will be produced at Emerald Coaches’ location itself – in Emerald, Queensland – using rainwater captured onsite with a renewable-powered electrolyser, generating hydrogen to power the entire fleet.

Ultimately, the project will provide Emerald

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The ‘green hydrogen’ will be produced at Emerald Coaches’ location itself – in Emerald, Queensland – using rainwater captured onsite.

Opposite, Top: Emerald Coaches will be the first bus operator in Australia to convert to a zeroemission coach fleet, it says.

Above: Michael and Rachael Baulch purchased Emerald Coaches in 2014.

Left: The hydrogen will be generated at Emerald Coaches’ depot, the company explains.

Coaches with complete fuel security and price stability, it adds.

‘A NATURAL GAS’ “Australia’s transport industry is one of the most energy intensive in the world. We believe renewable hydrogen is the future of the transport industry,” said Emerald Coaches director, Michael Baulch.

“It’s a natural gas that is extracted from water making it a completely clean and sustainable fuel source. The only thing to come out of the exhaust is water,” he explained.

The first two vehicles are planned for 2022, with the entire fleet to be powered by hydrogen fuel cell electricity by 2040, Emerald confirms.

“We have proudly provided transport services for the past 40 years. By leading the way and being the first to commit to zero emissions, we are hoping to have a positive impact on our community and our team and encourage other business sectors to consider doing things differently,” said Rachael Baulch,

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OPERATOR

EMERALD COACHES

There will be many opportunities to provide jobs and ongoing education in a completely new and innovative space, right here in Emerald. director Emerald Coaches.

“There will be many opportunities to provide jobs and ongoing education in a completely new and innovative space, right here in Emerald,” she explained.

ON-SITE PRODUCTION Above: Locally produced green hydrogen will help offset the risk of fuel disruption and price instability.

58

Interest in hydrogen as a renewable energy source is on the rise around the world and green hydrogen is the cleanest form of this natural gas, Emerald outlines.

Hydrogen is considered ‘green’ if the production process is powered by a renewable energy source, it adds. Emerald Coaches will produce hydrogen onsite using rainwater and solar power, the company confirms. This closed-loop system will provide complete fuel security, price stability and will eliminate the need to transport hydrogen from another facility, states.

With approximately 90 per cent of fuels used in Australia derived

from oil sourced from abroad, locally-produced green hydrogen will help offset the risk of fuel disruption and price instability, according to Emerald.

“We congratulate Emerald Coaches for their $100 million commitment to convert their diesel buses to hydrogen fuel cell buses,” said Mark Bailey MP, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

“The transport industry produces approximately 14 per cent of greenhouses emissions and [this] announcement is a great example of how the private sector can play an important role in seriously addressing the impact of climate change.

“We look forward to working with Emerald Coaches to support them in delivering their zero-emission strategy,” Minister Bailey said.

ADDITIONAL MEASURES While the hydrogen-powered buses are the main focus of Emerald Coaches’ e-mission zero strategy, the company will implement other energyefficiency measures to ensure

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it is using fully renewable electricity and water in its facilities by 2025, Emerald states. This will include fully renewable power, recycling and rainwater systems, paperless office systems, and water-efficient mobile vehicle washing units, it adds.

ABOUT EMERALD Emerald Coaches is an Australian, family-owned and operated regional transport service based in Emerald and Mackay, Queensland, with a fleet of 120 vehicles

supplying passenger transport to the mining and resource sector, as well as charter services, it states.

Emerald Coaches’ hydrogenpowered buses will have a range of 800km and will take 10 minutes to refuel, as compared with a battery electric vehicle with a range of 400km and a refuelling time in excess of three hours. This range will allow Emerald Coaches to provide a,”…clean and efficient transport solution to their existing customers including the mining and resources sector.”

BUILDING FROM SCRATCH In early 2014, Michael and Rachael Baulch purchased Emerald Coaches from Murray and Noela Berkman.

The Berkmans bought their first school bus, a 22-seat minibus, in 1980, after experiencing problems due to distances involved in educating their children.

Due to the quality and reliability of their service, they received many enquiries about weekend charter for youth and sporting groups. In response to this demand, in 1986, they invested in their first 45-seat air-conditioned coach.

Having received requests to organise tours for both schools and senior citizens’ groups, the Berkmans arranged their first tour to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers with a full coach load of what they lovingly called their “oldies”. Their first five-star coach was bought in 1982 and they continued to arrange tours across Australia.

The purchase of a school service from Springsure in 1998 further consolidated their position in Central Queensland and acquired their own depot to expand their own service and maintenance program.

At the time of the purchase by the Baulch family, Emerald Coaches’ fleet had reached 33 vehicles, which expanded to 51 by the end of 2019. The fleet was predominantly Volvo, with a mix of Iveco, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, the company explains.

These buses serviced school contracts in the Emerald, Springsure, Capella, Clermont and Tieri regions, with additional Resources services operating in Blackwater, Dysart, Moranbah, Coppabella and Mackay, it confirms.

In early 2020, Emerald Coaches completed the purchase of Premier Bus It in Mackay, taking the fleet to more than 110 and expanding the administration facilities based in Mackay. The purchases added Scania, BCI, Higer and Toyota vehicles to the fleet, including 20 4WD Toyota Commuters allocated to mining applications in the Bowen Basin, the company says.

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OPERATOR

WESTERN ROAD LINERS

50 YEARS AND GOING STRONG After being in the business for half a century, Western Road Liners (WRL) is right where one of its co-founders, Peter McQuie, would like it to be – a solid, reliable business operating within a tight-knit community in the Parkes region of country New South Wales.

WORDS ANJALI BEHL IMAGES COURTESY OF WESTERN ROAD LINERS

W

RL predominantly operates school bus services in Parkes, with a small portion of work around extended charter and school excursions along the NSW east coast. Peter McQuie runs the business with his son, Christopher (Chris) McQuie, who joined WRL in 1991, not long after finishing high school.

In the early days, Chris assisted in the administrative side of WRL, but has since moved to the position of company director and general manager. Peter

60

continues to have a key role in the business – managing the registration, insurance and the workshop liaison side of things, given his mechanical background. Chris looks after the day-to-day operations while managing a team of 25, including both permanent and casual staff.

Both men are very happy with their team; however, one obstacle that they constantly run up against is finding the right drivers and retaining them.

While they feel they are lucky to have a reliable bunch of people working in the team, with around

95 per cent of their school bus drivers in the semi-retired phase of life, they are always on the lookout for more drivers.

“The job doesn’t cater to someone in their 30s and 40s who is raising a family because there’s not enough working hours in the week in our operation,” Peter explained.

THE FLEET The father-son duo operates a fleet of 27 vehicles, out of which 21 service nine schools in the region. They also have some big and mini charter vehicles.

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Most of the fleet is Hino, with Australian-made bodies.

Like most school bus operators at the time when the business was founded, Peter operated a fleet of Bedford buses. Once production came to a halt in the late 1970s, bus operators had to find a suitable replacement that was as good as Bedford. Most found Hino and Mercedes-Benz were the “closest match” to, he says.

Peter ended up investing in a couple of Hino AK 176 models,

Right: Peter McQuie (seated) runs the business with his son, Chris.

Below: Western Road Liners operates 27 buses and coaches – all with Australianmade bodies.

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OPERATOR

WESTERN ROAD LINERS

We are very grateful for railways for any shutdown work and some of the school work continued as normal, but Covid-19 certainly made life interesting.

Above: Peter (right) set up WRL in 1971, with Chris joining the company in 1991.

Right: The 21 vehicles in the fleet service nine schools in the local area, WRL confirms.

Opposite, Top: WRL operates mostly school services, as well as a few charter runs, out of Parkes in NSW. 62

adding more to the fleet over the next five years.

“We’ve never been disappointed with them,” he explained.

“We continue to buy Hino and are pleased with their performance. We’ve always put Australian bodies on our buses. Mainly P&D but also have some Custom Coaches and Denning that have Australian-built bodies. We have them built to suit our operator needs here in country NSW. Chris added: “In the last five to 10 years the challenging part has been keeping up with the technology. We’ve tried to keep it simple with the product, and as long as it is reliable and works well with our operations, we are

happy. Currently, we’ve got three touring coaches between 49 and 56 seats. The bulk of the fleet is between 45 and 57 seaters, and a couple of minibuses as well.”

IMPACT OF COVID Although the charter side practically shut down in the past 18 months, as it is not a massive side of the business it didn’t affect WRL all that much, Chris explained.

“We’ve rolled with it. We are very grateful for railways for any shutdown work and some of the school work continued as normal, but Covid-19 certainly made life interesting,” Chris said.

“School excursions took a hammering. In one period, in less than a month, we saw cancellation after cancellation,” Peter explained.

“This year is better, and as it appears there will be some normalcy by March next year.

Numbers on the school services are definitely improving and we are very appreciative of Transport NSW school bus contracts, and do enjoy that side of the

business,” Chris added.

“Parkes is a nice, strong community and the people are showing confidence in our services, which is a good sign.

We’ve also got some great operators around us, who are an absolute pleasure to work with. We talk to four or five them regularly just to get their thoughts. BusNSW does a great job in supporting us.”

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HISTORY OF WESTERN ROAD LINES WRL was established in 1971 by Peter McQuie with the acquisition of one school bus. Four years later, Peter and Merv Hennock, a former bank manager, purchased Wasers Bus Service to expand the service to six school buses and runs. In 1978, they purchased two coaches to enter the long-distance tour and charter business. Peter finished the decade by buying Hennock’s shareholding in the business, as he geared up for further growth of WRL in the decades to follow.

In 1981, WRL secured a contract with Electrolytic Zinc Co at Cobar to provide transport to the then-new Elura Mine, 50km from the township of Cobar. WRL purchased three identical air-conditioned Denflex buses to be used exclusively for the mine contract, which lasted until June 2010. Also in the early 80s, WRL established a strong relationship with Geoff McIntyre and Len Roden, who owned and operated Deluxe Coaches. WRL become one of Deluxe’s major subcontractors with seven coaches painted in full Deluxe livery. It was during this period that WRL purchased Golden Group Charter Coaches, which was a small company operating in the Royal National Park area and included the Bundeena Bus Service. This acquisition provided WRL with unrestricted tourist vehicle (TV) plates, which were used in the Deluxe operation. The actual Bundeena Bus Service side of the business was sold off to a local bus operator. Throughout the 80s, WRL was heavily involved in organised school excursions.

WRL was awarded the first State Rail Countrylink Service in NSW in 1988. This Dubbo to Broken Hill service replaced Silver City Comet and WRL continued contracting to State Rail until 2001.

In May 2006, WRL acquired the only remaining opposition in Parkes, Harris Bus Lines. This involved 12 school runs, which gave WRL a total of 22 school services and one town passenger service, plus four charter coaches. This was transferred to WRL’s existing depot in Danilenko Street, Parkes. “Our school excursions have been more than capably organsied by office manager Karen Gosper, who’s been with us for 17 years,” said Peter. “She’s amazing!” he added.

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OPERATOR

WESTERN ROAD LINERS

School excursions took a hammering. In one period in less than a month we saw cancellation after cancellation.

WHERE NEXT?

Top: Hino is a favourite in the fleet, but there is a mix of brands, including this Denning.

Right: Chris says the baton may pass on to his own children down the line in this family run business.

64

When we asked about their plans, both Chris and Peter gave a hearty laugh before Chris said: “Dad’s got quite a few.”

Peter modestly added: “If it all goes back to normal, it will be same ol’, same ol’.

“We really can’t expand any more in our region because we have all the local buses in our area.”

Chris explained: “The work around the Inland Rail project, including the special activation precinct west of Parkes, is promising big things in the next five or 10 years.

“I’ve been here 30 years now. I’ve got three young children and, who knows, one of them might show interest and join us one day.”

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BCI body, Automatic, A/C, 57 Seatbelts, 110,000km

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$120,000 + GST

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busnews.com.au NOVEMBER 2021 ABC

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15/11/21 2:31 pm

DELIVERIES

OCTOBER 2021

October deliveries in slight upturn

Delivery numbers remain low but show some improvement, exclusive ABC data reveals.

W

hile the second quarter of the 2021-22 financial year opened to Australian bus and coach deliveries remaining downbeat, there was a welcome increase on September’s 56 deliveries to reach a total of 66 for October.

Though a welcome upward turn, this is also the fourth month of lower delivery numbers, following July’s 69 and August’s 68.

In the chassis sector, Volvo led the way in October with 16 deliveries – up five on the previous month – followed by MercedesBenz on 10, also up on September. BCI, Hino and MAN were neck-and-neck with eight deliveries each – with Hino showing the greatest improvement from September’s three – while the remaining four delivered 16 between them.

In the body-building sector, Volgren once again showed a commanding lead with 18, though this also represents its lowest figure since July.

BCI maintained its second-place position from September, recording 10 deliveries, while JBus (six deliveries), Irizar (six) and Coach Design (five) filled out the middle of the pack, followed by nine others.

Thermo King remains dominant in the air con market, snaring nearly half of all deliveries with 31 units. In joint second place, MCC and Denso both had eight. Hispacold saw a small decrease of two units from September’s eight to record six in October, whereas Coachair dipped to four from September’s 10 deliveries.

Victoria and Western Australia continue to be the busiest states in terms of bus deliveries, with Victoria having 22 new units – up four on September – and WA recording 16. NSW was up three on September, recording a total of 14, while Queensland increased to 10 deliveries in October. South Australia saw three and there was a rare appearance of the Northern Territory with one.

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

Thermo King remains dominant in the air con market, snaring nearly half of all of deliveries.

70

ABC November 2021 busnews.com.au

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16/11/21 9:58 am

Volgren 18 BCI 10 Jbus 6 Irizar 6 Coach Design 5 Bustech Group 4 Express Coaches 3 Custom Bus 3

SALES BY BODY

Yutong 3 Coach Concepts 2

In the body building sector, Volgren once again showed a commanding lead with 18, though this also represents its lowest figure in 2021. BCI maintained its second place from September, recording 10 deliveries, while JBus (six deliveries), Irizar (six) and Coach Design (five) filled out the middle of the pack, followed by nine others.

P&D Coachworks 2 BLK 2 Omnibus 1 Scania 1

5% 2% NT SA

33% VIC

15% QLD

SALES BY AIR-CONDITIONER Thermo King remains dominant in the air con market, snaring nearly half of all of deliveries, with 32 units.

In joint second place, MCC and Denso both recorded eight. Hispacold had a small decrease of two units from September’s eight to record six in October, whereas Coachair dipped to four from September’s 10 deliveries.

Thermo King 31 MCC 8 Denso 8 Hispacold 7

Units by

REGION

4 4 3 1

VOLVO 16

21% NSW

Coachair Spheros Cling-Yutong Konvekta

MERCEDES-BENZ 10

24% WA

BCI 8

HINO 8

MAN 8

SCANIA 7

Sales by chassis

BUSTECH GROUP 4

In the chassis sector, Volvo led the way in October with 16 deliveries – up five on the previous month – followed by Mercedes-Benz on 10, also up on September. BCI, Hino and MAN were neck-and-neck with eight deliveries each – Hino showing the greatest improvement from September’s three – while the remaining four delivered 16 between them.

YUTONG 3

BLK 2

busnews.com.au November 2021 ABC

ABC_411_070-71_Bus Deliveries column FC.indd 71

71

16/11/21 9:58 am

OCTOBER 2021

Sodexo

WA

2

Fleetmaster

BCI

320

R

Euro 5

A

Australian Transit Enterprises

SA

1

Classmaster

BCI

320

R

Euro 5

A

Next Gen Bus Lines

WA

1

Classmaster

BCI

320

R

Euro 5

A

Go West

WA

3

Fleetmaster

BCI

320

R

Euro 5

A

Pilbara Car & Truck Rental

WA

1

Fleetmaster

BCI

320

R

Euro 5

A

NSW

2

MB OC500RF E6 1930

Bustech Group

–

Rear

6

A

DIT (SWB) MY21

SA

1

Scania K320UB4X2 E6

Bustech Group

–

Rear

6

A

Busways (SBM)

NSW

1

MB OC500RF E6 1930

Bustech Group

–

Rear

6

A

N/A

SA

1

Poncho

JBus

185

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

VIC

5

Poncho

JBus

185

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

NSW

1

RN8J

P&D Coachworks

286

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

NSW

1

RN8J

P&D Coachworks

286

R

Euro 5

A

Kinetic/Surfside

QLD

1

LE.19.320.RC2.E5

Volgren

320

R

E5

A

Kinetic/Surfside

QLD

1

LE.19.320.RC2.E5

Volgren

320

R

E5

A

Kinetic/Surfside

QLD

1

LE.19.320.RC2.E5

Volgren

320

R

E5

A

Kinetic/Surfside

QLD

1

LE.19.320.RC2.E5

Volgren

320

R

E5

A

Kinetic Group

QLD

1

CO.19.360.RR2

Irizar

360

R

E6

A

Kinetic Group

QLD

1

CO.19.360.RR2

Irizar

360

R

E6

A

Kinetic Group Mountain District Parent-Controlled Christian School Assoc.

NSW

1

IC.19.320.RR8

Irizar

320

R

E5

A

VIC

1

IC.19.320.RR8

Coach Design

320

R

E5

A

N/A

WA

1

OC500RF E5 1936

Omnibus

360

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

VIC

1

O500RS

Express

348

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

VIC

1

OC500RF E5 1936

Coach Concepts

360

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

VIC

1

O500R

Coach Design

300

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

VIC

1

OC500LE E6

Volgren

360

R

Euro 6

A

N/A

VIC

1

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

R

Euro 6

A

N/A

VIC

1

OC500RF E6 1936

BCI

360

R

Euro 6

A

N/A

VIC

1

OC500RF E5 1936

Coach Concepts

360

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

QLD

1

O500RS

Irizar

348

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

QLD

1

OC500RF E5 1936

Irizar

360

R

Euro 5

A

Also Tour & Travel Pty Ltd

NSW

1

K 310 IB4X2

Irizar

310

Rear

Euro 5

A

CDC Victoria P/L

VIC

3

K 320 UB4X2

Volgren VIC

320

Rear

Euro 6

A

Christians Bus Co

VIC

1

K 310 IB4X2

Coach Design

310

Rear

Euro 5

A

Mooroopna Passenger Service Pty Ltd

VIC

1

K 310 IB4X2

Scania

310

Rear

Euro 5

A

Quinns Bus Services

QLD

1

K 310 IB4X2

Express Coaches

310

Rear

Euro 5

I&H Dowsett

NSW

1

Volvo B8R

Express

330

R

Euro 5

A

Busways Pacific Pty Ltd

NSW

3

Volvo B8RLE

Custom

330

R

Euro 5

A

Perth Transport Authorities

WA

7

Volvo B8RLE

Volgren

320

R

Euro 6

A

Perth Transport Authorities

WA

1

Volvo B8RLEA

Volgren

320

R

Euro 6

A

Bacchus Marsh Coaches

VIC

1

Volvo B8R

Coach Design

330

R

Euro 5

A

Nuline

VIC

2

Volvo B8R

Volgren

330

R

Euro 5

A

Christians Ternag

VIC

1

Volvo B8R

Coach Design

320

R

Euro 6

A

N/A

NSW

2

Yutong D12

Yutong

360

R

Euro 5

A

N/A

NT

1

Yutong D7

Yutong

190

F

Euro 6

A

BUSTECH GROUP Busways (SBM)

HINO

MAN

MERC-BENZ

SCANIA

VOLVO

YUTONG

72

TRANS­MIS

CHASSIS

MANUFACTURER, OPERATOR & LOCATION BCI

ENGINES

UNITS

DELIVERIES

ABC November 2021 busnews.com.au

ABC_411_072-73_Bus Deliveries Table FC.indd 72

(Model)

BODY BUILDER

HP*

Rear / Front

Emissions standard

TOTAL DELIVERIES 66

16/11/21 10:03 am

A: Autom M: Manu AS: AutoO: Opticr

Opticru

NUMBER OF SEATS

APPLICATION SEATING

SEAT BELTS

WHEEL CHAIR LIFT ACCESS

issions andard

A: Automatic M: Manual AS: Auto-Shift O: Opticruise

AXLES

TRANS­MISSION

BODY LENGTH

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

MCC

–

55

–

–

X

–

–

Sege

Y

N

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

MCC

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

Sege

Y

N

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

MCC

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

Sege

Y

N

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

MCC

–

55

–

–

X

–

–

Sege

Y

N

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

MCC

–

55

–

–

X

–

–

Sege

Y

N

6

A

ZF

2

10-12.9

Thermo King

56

–

–

–

–

–

X

Styleride

Y

–

6

A

ZF

2

10-12.9

Hispacold

44

–

–

–

–

X

–

Bendtech/In-house

N

–

–

–

–

–

–

X

Styleride

Y

–

TRANS MAKE

(metres)

AIR-CON (Brand)

Fixed Coach

Recliners

Metro

Long Distance

Charter

City or Route

School

6

A

ZF

2

10-12.9

Thermo King

56

uro 5

A

Aisin

2

8

Denso

18

–

–

–

–

X

–

Styleride

N

Y

18

–

–

–

–

X

–

Styleride

N

Y

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

McConnell

Y

–

Thermo King

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

Styleride

Y

–

Thermo King

–

–

X

–

–

X

–

Styleride

N

Y

Thermo King

–

–

X

–

–

X

–

Styleride

N

Y

Thermo King

–

–

X

–

–

X

–

Styleride

N

Y

Thermo King

–

–

X

–

–

X

–

Styleride

N

Y

Hispacold

–

X

–

–

X

–

–

Sege

Y

Y

Hispacold

–

X

–

–

X

–

–

Sege

Y

Y

Hispacold

–

X

–

–

X

–

–

Sege

Y

Y

–

–

–

–

–

X

Styleride

Y

Y

uro 5

uro 5

uro 5 E5 E5 E5 E5 E6 E6 E5

A A A A A A A A A A

Aisin ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

8 12 12 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9

Denso Thermo King

E5

A

ZF

2

10-12.9

Thermo King

X

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Thermo King

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

McConnell

N

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Thermo King

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

McConnell

Y

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Thermo King

61

–

–

–

–

–

X

McConnell

Y

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Thermo King

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

Styleride

Y

–

uro 6

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Thermo King

–

–

41

–

–

X

–

McConnell

N

–

uro 6

A

ZF

2

13.2M

Denso

–

–

61

–

–

X

–

McConnell

N

–

uro 6

A

ZF

2

13.2M

Denso

–

–

61

–

–

X

–

McConnell

N

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Coachair

–

–

61

–

–

–

X

McConnell

Y

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Hispacold

–

57

–

–

–

–

X

Sege

N

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.5M

Hispacold

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

Sege

N

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

Hispacold

–

53

–

–

–

–

x

Sege

Y

–

uro 6

A

ZF

2

12

Coachair

–

–

41

–

–

x

–

McConnell

N

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

Thermo King

57

–

–

–

–

–

x

Styleride

Y

–

uro 5

A

ZF

2

12.3

Konvekta

57

–

–

–

–

–

–

Styleride

N

–

–

–

–

–

–

x

McConnell

Y

–

uro 5

Opticruise

Scania

2

12.3

Thermo King

57

uro 5

A

ZF

2

10-12.9

Thermo King

43

–

–

–

–

–

X

McConnell

Y

–

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

StyleRide

Y

–

–

–

41

–

–

x

–

McConnell

N

–

–

–

x

–

–

x

–

McConnell

N

–

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

StyleRide

Y

–

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

Marcopolo

Y

–

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

McConnell

Y

–

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

–

Y

N

27

–

–

–

–

X

–

–

Y

N

uro 5

uro 6

uro 6

uro 5

uro 5

uro 6

uro 5

uro 6

A A A A A A A A

ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF Allison Allison

2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2

10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 12.4 8

Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Spheros Thermo King Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong

*Bustech Group comprises Bustech, Elphinstone and Precision Buses. Volgren’s count includes any units from its partnership with Supportrans.

busnews.com.au November 2021 ABC

ABC_411_072-73_Bus Deliveries Table FC.indd 73

73

16/11/21 10:03 am

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TAKE THE CHALLENGE! AUSTRALIAN OWNED AND DESIGN – RELIABILITY, LONGEVITY, FLEXIBILITY

Challenger V10

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School/Charter/Day Tour

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Coming soon: Challenger V13 - enquire now, quotes available STANDARD FEATURES: • ThermoKing Air Conditioning • 360 Degree Cameras • MobilEye anti-collision • Funtoro Telematics www.challengerbusandcoach.com.au Greg Sloan (Owner Director) 0418 314 642 greg@challengerbusandcoach.com.au Dan Campbell (Sales Manager) 0425 752 938 dan@challengerbusandcoach.com.au Geoff Mead (WA Sales Manager) 0438 509 439 geoff@challengerbusandcoach.com.au

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15/11/21 1:26 pm

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ON THE ALL-NEW ROSA

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Scheduled servicing and repairs are provided on the standard terms, conditions and exclusions of a 2yr/60,000km/1,200Hrs (whichever comes first) BestBasic Service Plan and exclude wheels, rims and tyres. Servicing can only be carried out by an authorised Fuso Service dealer. #Warranty terms and conditions apply, 5 year/200,000km whichever comes first. See an authorised Fuso dealer or our warranty policy at https://www.fuso.com.au/Warranty-Policy. Fuso is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation Japan and distributed by Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific Pty Ltd ABN 86 618 413 282.

FUS010407_Rosa Bus 2 Yr Free Servicing_ABC FPC_Press Ad_210 x 297mm_FA.indd 1 Untitled-3 76

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