Australasian Bus & Coach 419July 2022

ABC

AUSTRALASIAN BUS & COACH

RESTORING RELICS Royans’ WWII bus project MILESTONE BUS Yutong celebrates 10 years ELECTRIC RETURN BCI releases new model

ISSUE 419 July 2022 $5.95 inc GST

SEATS GALORE

STYLERIDE CONTINUES TO GROW AFTER OPENING ITS NEW CENTRE IN BRISBANE

Family operator: Kane’s legacy Summit: BIC conference Back Seat: Jubilee bus

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contents ISSUE 419 JULY 2022

08 In the know 4. editorial | reflecting on change As the bus industry leads the charge to zero-emissions vehicles, it’s been fun to look at how far we’ve come.

8. news | all aboard An overview of the latest Australasian and international bus and coach news that you need to know.

23. bic column

NEW GOVERNMENT, NEW PRIORITIES Will the new Australian government bring the change we need?

features

From an external perspective, Jessica Kane’s career was always written in the stars. But now the recent graduate has found her calling, carrying on the family’s bus business legacy.

SWITCHING TO SEGE Four years ago Kangaroo Bus Lines changed and began using Sege seats on its coaches. Now, Sege is its go-to coach seat provider.

ROYANS’ ROLE IN RESTORING A RELIC In 2014, Nick Wilson came across a Brisbane-based bus from the WWII era. Now, the timber-framed vehicle is being returned to its former glory, with a little helping hand.

36. feature | yutong 10th anniversary

On May 31 StyleRide opened its new manufacturing centre in Acacia Ridge. Already the seat manufacturer has noticed the difference in its day-to-day operations.

The bus and coach manufacturer was looking for a special moment to launch its 10th anniversary in Australia.

It found the ideal opportunity in the Sydney suburb of Seven Hills.

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40. feature | sege seats & kbl

32. feature | royans coachworks

24. cover story | styleride

RIDING HIGH IN A NEW LOCALE

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28. operator | kane’s buses

KEEPING UP WITH THE KANES

YUTONG’S 10-YEAR MILESTONE

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EDITORIAL COO: Christine Clancy ph: (03) 9690 8766 e-mail: Christine.Clancy@primecreative.com.au

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EXECUTIVE GROUP

I’m confident that I have found my place in what is an incredibly interesting and exciting industry.

44. feature | bci

52. events

Bus & Coach International’s latest electric model can run double-shifts on a single battery charge.

Be sure not to miss out on an opportunity for these fantastic in-person bus industry events taking place in coming months.

46. event | bic national summit

54. factory facts | bus deliveries

After years of disruptions prevented the Bus Industry Confederation from hosting its National Summit, the Australian bus industry finally got together in late June to discuss the issues facing the sector.

We have all the latest bus and coach supplier sales data collected and recorded for you to review.

Check out how the market has performed in the past month.

departments

58. back seat | news

NEW BCI BUS CALMS RANGE ANXIETY

BIC’S BIG BUS CHAT

Head of Customer Experience: Regina Fellner Trader Group Sales Director: Brad Buchanan

INDUSTRY EVENTS FOR 2022

MONTHLY RESULTS

48. bus marketplace | classifieds

GOING PURPLE FOR THE JUBILEE

Check out all these great listings from some of the leading bus and coach companies around. Have a look and see what you might find.

As part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee festivities that took place in the UK in June, an English bus operator celebrated in a unique way.

FOR SALE!

CEO: John Murphy

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

ISSN 1324-8634

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.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

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IGNITION

SEAN MORTELL – ASSISTANT EDITOR

Reflecting on extraordinary change As the bus industry leads the charge to zero-emissions vehicles, it’s been fun to look at how far we’ve come.

I

t’s no secret that the bus and coach sector is taking the lead when it comes to transitioning to zero-emissions fleets. Recent developments continue to show manufacturers introducing a plethora of exciting new sustainable options to the local market.

At the moment, the bus industry seems so modern and innovative.

At the same time, it’s great to see the sector reflect on its recent achievements. I was lucky enough to attend the Bus and Industry Confederation (BIC) Summit in late June and discuss the minefield of striving for a zero-emissions industry without the necessary regulatory framework in place, as covered on page 46. Despite the best efforts of OEMs and bodybuilders, it can sometimes be like stumbling through a maze with a blindfold on.

That’s why it’s so valuable to celebrate what the industry has done to date. There may be many more challenges and speed bumps to overcome, but there are also plenty of great stories emerging.

Take StyleRide for example – the seating company recently celebrated

the opening of its new centre in Brisbane’s Acacia Ridge. Check out the new digs on page 24, which now allows the company to work together once again on a single site.

In another great step for Bus & Coach International (BCI), the manufacturer released another exciting electric model on page 44.

In the short-term future, BCI wants to fully transition the entirety of its buses to renewable options. It’s this innovation that makes the bus and coach industry a spine-tingling sector to be involved with.

One element that stood out to me from the BIC Summit was the friendly feel to the entire industry, as competitors in the market were quick to shake hands and discuss technology developments with warm smiles and generosity. This community atmosphere is being

replicated in business. Sege Seats is continuing to build on this goodwill, as it has quickly become the leading seat provider for Kangaroo Bus Lines’ coaches. The profile of Sege Seats’ agreement to provide customisable seats for Kangaroo Bus Lines’ coaches on page 40 summarises the ‘build together’ attitude that the industry is taking.

While the industry is plunging forward at a rate of knots, it’s also nice to indulge in nostalgia. On page 32, Royans Coachworks is working on a tremendous restoration project on a Brisbane bus built with a unique timber frame before the Second World War. Moving south from Brisbane to Sydney, Yutong kick-started its 10-year anniversary celebrations by tracking its first ever bus sold in Australia. On page 36 see how the decade-old

“There may be many more challenges and speed bumps to overcome, but there are also plenty of great stories emerging.” vehicle is travelling and get a sneak peek at Yutong’s new D7 model.

In another story from New South Wales, we speak with Jessica Kane, an up and coming professional in the bus and coach industry, who is continuing her family legacy through her role as administration manager at Kane’s Buses. The Charles Sturt University graduate has a unique story to tell on page 28.

There’s positivity everywhere around the industry as we speak.

While the sector continues to work hard to transition across to renewable energy products, reflection shows the progress we have seen lately is astronomical. Be sure to sit back and enjoy the journey we’re all going on.

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NEWS

TASMANIA WELCOMES FIRST FULLY ELECTRIC BUSES INTO HOBART TASMANIA HAS welcomed two brand new fully electric Kinetic buses into its state network, introducing them into Hobart as part of the SkyBus route.

Kinetic, the owner of SkyBus Hobart, is now Australia’s biggest electric bus operator with this introduction of electric buses to the popular Tasmanian service.

Tasmania’s past premier Peter Gutwein launched the battery electric buses in a Hobart event that allowed the public a first look at the future of public transport in the state.

Kinetic says passengers can now enjoy the electric bus as part of SkyBus’s popular express between Hobart Airport and the city, giving tourists a green welcome to Tasmania.

One bus was unveiled at Brooke Street Pier, with Kinetic saying buses will play an important role in the state’s public transport network.

The vehicles are among 70 battery electric buses Kinetic operates across Australia and New Zealand, with the new buses part of Tasmania’s drive towards net zeroemission targets.

Gutwein says the launch 8

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represents a major step forward in Tasmania’s climate change response by reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy demands.

“The government is committed to legislating a nation-leading target of net zero emissions from 2030 and a legislative framework embodied in the climate change bill from last year,” he says.

“The launch demonstrates that Tasmania is on the road towards our 2030 target.”

Kinetic co-CEO Michael Sewards says Kinetic was pleased to partner with the

Tasmanian government on the zero-emission initiative.

“We are excited to be launching Tasmania’s first fully electric buses and working to play a role in Tasmania’s zero emission public bus network which is so important to keep people moving,” Sewards says.

“To us this is an evolution, not a revolution, and this year we’ll have electric buses on the road in major cities including Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, Christchurch and throughout south-east and regional Queensland.”

Pictured: Two new Kinetic electric buses are now operating in Hobart.

“The launch demonstrates that Tasmania is on the road towards our 2030 target.”

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NEWS

NORTH EAST LINK BUSWAY TAKES SHAPE THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT has released updates on its bus hub for the North East Link in Melbourne.

The Victorian government has announced that while work intensifies on the project, the initial stage of Melbourne’s first dedicated busway is being constructed.

The state government says major works will continue this winter near Bulleen to clear a path for the busway, including a pick-up and drop-off bay area designed for fast and frequent bus services to and from the city.

The new bus station on the link will form the start of Melbourne’s first dedicated busway that will allow buses to travel uninterrupted along an overhauled eastern freeway.

The government says this new link can cut commute times for up to 17,000 passengers each weekday.

The state’s department of transport expects more than 1,000 bus services to use the new facility each week and provide direct access for passengers from Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East and Templestowe.

Two giant tunnel boring machines have been ordered to build the 6.5-kilometre road tunnels required for the north east link.

The government expects the project to take 18 months to complete the design, manufacturing, testing and transportation of the tunnelling machines.

More than $18 billion is being invested in Melbourne’s north-east to improve the road and rail network, including upgrades to the north east link and other key passenger routes.

by Canadian pension fund OPTrust while also teaming with Spanish transport company Globalvia Inversiones SAU in the Go-Ahead acquisition.

A statement from Go-Ahead says its directors will unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the acquisition, with the takeover planned to be done in October.

Sydney transport operator Kelsian Group also lodged its interest in acquiring the Go-Ahead Group.

“Kelsian continues to carefully assess

the opportunity with a disciplined focus on the strategic and financial rationale,” Kelsian Group says.

Kelsian says it has been in preliminary talks with Go-Ahead about a takeover and a potential offer in cash, but there’s no certainty that it will make a bid.

Go-Ahead runs nearly a quarter of London buses, including some zero-emission vehicles.

Australian investment firms involved in the takeover group include Macquarie Group and AustralianSuper.

KINETIC LEADS GO-AHEAD GROUP TAKEOVER An investor group backed by Australian operator Kinetic have launched a takeover bid of London operator Go-Ahead Group.

Go-Ahead Group is London’s biggest commuter train and double-decker bus operator and accepted a $787 million takeover offer from the investor group.

Australian rival Kinetic helped back the bid, with Go-Ahead shareholders to receive cash rewards per share.

The Kinetic consortium is offering 1,450 pence per share in cash for each Go-Ahead share, as Kinetic is backed

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NEWS

BRIDJ TECHNOLOGY TO MANAGE COMMONWEALTH GAMES FLEETS THE AUSTRALIAN fleet software will manage transport in and around Birmingham this year Australian transport software specialist Bridj has been appointed as the official fleet operations and asset management technology provider for the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The upcoming Games will be the biggest sport event ever held in the West Midlands and will see around 4,500 athletes compete from July 28 until August 8.

During the time of the Games, a fleet of more than 500 vehicles will be transporting members of the Games Family, including accredited officials, sponsors and operations staff, between accommodation, training and competition.

Bridj will be providing a booking and fleet management platform that enables the Birmingham 2022 fleet operations team to plan and manage fleet services, along with apps for both drivers and passengers.

The platform includes route optimisation, scheduling and vehicle 12

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tracking, which will automate many processes while saving time and improving efficiency.

More than 2,000 passengers will be able to walk up and find a ride at designated load zones or pre-book travel to and from ventures across the Games footprint using the Bridj passenger

partnership with Bridj across future Games until at least 2030, including Victoria 2026.

“The transport plan for the Games will focus on efficiency and sustainability and that’s exactly what we want to bring to Birmingham,” Bridj founder and CEO John Langford-Ely says.

“Our aim is to simplify the complex task of delivering transport for everyone involved.” application, which also provides journey tracking and customer support.

The Bridj driver app will also support drivers, providing optimised turn-by-turn navigation to passenger pick-ups and drop-offs while also adapting to temporary passenger load zones and road closures during the Games.

Under the multi-Games agreement, the Commonwealth Games Federation Partnership can also extend its

“Our aim is to simplify the complex task of delivering transport for everyone involved, helping to bring faster, more environmentally friendly and convenient transport services.”

Head of games systems for Birmingham 2022 Pennie Brinsden says: “The platforms enables Birmingham 2022 to deliver yet another first in Commonwealth Games history in offering Games Family members a transport booking app for the first time.”

BE SEEN IN THE

SOCIAL

 MAGAZINE

OFFICIAL SHOWGUIDE PUBLISHED BY ABC MAGAZINE

Events are back! Australasian Bus & Coach Magazine is proud to publish the Official 2022 Australasia Bus & Coach Expo Showguide, as a special supplement in the August edition of the magazine.

NOW IS THE TIME TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHOWGUIDE

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NEWS

FARRELL OUTLINES BUS INDUSTRY NEEDS AT SUMMIT Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell issued his most pressing requirements regarding the bus industry while speaking on the first morning of the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) Summit in Canberra recently.

The senator says his new portfolio in tourism and trade means he wants to build confidence in the security of jobs when it comes to the bus and coach industry.

To encourage people back into the bus and coach industry while bolstering the tourism sector, Farrell told the room

full of bus manufacturers and operators that accessibility is critical.

“Bus transport operators and manufacturers must accommodate disability needs in the way they design and use their vehicles,” Farrell says.

Farrell also spoke about the need to include a climate change focus in the industry that partners a proposal for fee-free TAFE courses to help bolster the skilled worker stocks in the bus and tourism industries.

When looking at the current skilled worker shortages seen in Australia,

Farrell points to a neighbouring country’s model as the way forward.

“When you compare the way Australia and New Zealand handled the Covid-19 pandemic, the former federal government made international workers leave the country,” Farrell says.

“New Zealand didn’t make them leave and have no labour shortages now.”

Farrell also announced a $10 million funding boost towards marketing in the tourism industry to begin encouraging international workers and travellers back to Australia and onto bus and coaches.

With new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese having an extensive background on a transport minister portfolio, Farrell says the industry can expect more initiatives and movements happening with the bus and coach sector.

“We’ve never had a Prime Minister with as much knowledge in transport and infrastructure as Anthony Albanese has,” Farrell says.

“His knowledge and familiarity with the industry will prove invaluable for the bus and coach sector going forward.”

300 BUS DRIVERS STRIKE IN NEWCASTLE STRIKE ACTION escalated between Keolis Downer and its Newcastle bus drivers on June 20 with a 24-hour walkout.

More than 300 bus drivers from Newcastle went on strike in a continued battle over enterprise agreements (EAs).

The same drivers previously protested on June 3, walking off the job for four hours to escalate action against employer Keolis Downer.

The tension between the employer and its workers centres around a suggested EA that offered a 10 per cent pay increase over four years to its drivers.

The EA was unanimously

14

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rejected as the suggested agreement would make wages sit well below the rate of inflation and could even result in slashed wages.

An in-principle agreement is on the table between the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and Keolis Downer if the latter changes the EA to instead offer a seven per cent pay increase over two years.

“A seven per cent increase over two years to help offset cost-ofliving pressures is a fair ask from drivers who just want to earn a decent living wage,” RTBU NSW tram and bus division president Daniel Jaggers says.

Drivers say nothing came of the initial June 3 strike, as management told workers to work more overtime

and drive on Sundays to earn more money if required.

The workers say the offer handed down by Keolis Downer would result in a significant wage cut for workers due to the current price of inflation.

Following the June 20 strike, drivers said limited industrial action was scheduled, including a ban on fare collection.

Keolis Downer has allegedly said in a bulletin message that it is looking to implement the same three per cent deal it agreed to with ferries last year, despite bus drivers disagreeing.

Above: 300 Keolis Downer bus drivers went on strike in June over pay.

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NEWS

VICTORIA TO TRIAL FULLY ELECTRIC BUS DEPOT The Victorian government says it will be trialling its first fully electric bus depot in early 2024 as part of the government’s zero emissions bus trial.

The new depot will be charging 27 buses in Melbourne’s north by early 2024, as Victoria has enlisted bus operator Ventura to install 15 charging units to power the electric buses at its converted depot in Ivanhoe.

The first 12 electric trial buses will enter the network this year as part of the $20 million trial.

The Victorian government says the depot’s 27 electric buses will operate on nine routes across the northern suburbs by 2024, transporting around 10,000 people weekly to places like La Trobe University and Northland Shopping Centre while covering more than 1.2 million kilometres a year.

Victorian public transport minister Ben Carroll says this trial will provide an ideal opportunity to study the effectiveness of the zero-emissions bus move.

“We have a big job ahead of us as we transition our bus fleet to zero emissions, so having the opportunity to study and learn from the conversion of Ventura’s depot 16

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to a fully electric bus depot will be invaluable to this process,” Carroll says.

“We’re transitioning away from diesel to fume-free buses in an orderly and informed way that brings the bus operators, manufacturers and energy providers along with us.”

The major works that’ll go into converting Ventura’s site to being fully electric involves constructing a new on-site substation and installing

and 50 electric buses across current routes in Melbourne, Seymour and Traralgon that will hopefully foster partnerships between operators, manufacturers and energy companies.

Ventura managing director Andrew Cornwall says his company has a valuable role to play in helping transition the industry.

“The transitioning from diesel buses to locally built electric buses

“We’re transitioning away f rom diesel to fume-f ree buses in an orderly and informed way.” battery-management technology alongside charging units, as work is set to begin in July and be completed

by November.

The initiative will then provide insights into the challenges involved with transitioning entire bus depots into battery electric bus technology ahead of future conversions in the coming years.

Six Victorian bus companies have been selected to trial two hydrogen

at our Ivanhoe depot will be a breath of fresh air for customers travelling to destinations such as Latrobe University, Northland Shopping Centre, Preston Market and Gowrie Station,” Cornwall says.

“This trial will pave the way for us to have confidence in purchasing the correct equipment to fit out our remaining 11 depots in time for the transition to all new buses to be zero emission from 2025.”

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NEWS

THE WOT!?!

RESEARCH IMPROVES AIR SAFETY OF PT BUSES Global technology group Delos has announced a research project with Victoria’s Monash University to examine the benefits of installing air purification systems on buses and other forms of public transport.

The project is the first of its kind in Australia and involves researching a bus fitted with Delos air purification systems and monitoring equipment.

The bus was then exposed to controlled levels of pollutants to determine the efficiency of air purification systems in filtering and maintaining safe air quality levels.

“This is one of the most significant research projects to be undertaken in Australia involving air quality in buses and we believe the outcome will see these systems being installed

Top: The project will involve Delos air systems.

Above: The research project will look into the benefits of installing air purifiers on buses.

on all public transport vehicles across the country,” Delos Australia managing director Anthony Scarff says.

Monash University researchers say there’s evidence to suggest that air pollution can impact health in the short and long-term.

“Many people spend two or more hours commuting per day,” Monash head of climate Professor Yuming Guo says.

“Their exposure to air pollution is a big health risk, so reducing air pollution exposure during commuting is an urgent issue to be solved to protect human health.”

The findings indicated that air purification systems significantly impacted the reduction of airborne particles and the overall air quality inside the bus.

The Monash University researchers say these results could prove critical in limiting the spread of diseases in public transport vehicles, improving travel experiences and reassuring passengers who are hesitant to use buses.

PRETTY IN PINK

A while ago we featured the bus from Spice World in the Wot column, as it had been listed on AirBnB. Now, for those whose musical taste leans more towards country than pop, you’ll be delighted to find out that Dolly Parton’s tour bus is available to stay in! Having retired from touring life, the Prevost bus includes a bathtub and wig cabinet, while the interior has been painted in pink murals.

Now all you’ll need is US$10,000 – though proceeds do go to the Dollywood Foundation for various charitable pursuits.

GOING VIRTUAL

Hampton Roads Transit, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is preparing to launch a new express service on its network and, as part of its driver training, it’s using a state-ofthe-art simulator. New drivers will, in the virtual environment, learn how to start the bus, set their mirrors, operate signalling and navigate turns as well as operate the bus during a variety of different inclement weathers and situations such as road construction zones. The company this will improve the safety of new drivers and give them good preparation for operating an actual bus.

SURPRISE SINGING

A Karaoka Bus is being piloted in Calgary by Calgary Transit, where bus passengers can break out their best Meatloaf impression on the way to the shops. The bus will be on a random route once put into permanent service, and passengers can have a free ride while enjoying some music. Calgary Transit says the idea was to improve the customer experience and “bring back the joy to taking transit”. Do you think the idea would catch on over here?

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ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

Top marks for safety.

Safeguard your students with the Mercedes-Benz 0500 series school bus.

You set high standards for your school, and your transportation’s safety should be no different.

A Mercedes-Benz 0500 series school bus provides outstanding protection, with innovative safety features included as standard. Protect your students with the remarkable safety of Mercedes-Benz.

ADVANCED EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM

ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM

LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM

Learn more about the Mercedes-Benz 0500 series school bus and how it can service your school.

and Mercedes-Benz are trademarks of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. © Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific Pty Ltd (ACN 618 413 282).

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BIC

New government, new priorities

Will the new Australian government bring the change we need?

T

he election results are in and the 47th Parliament has been voted in by Australians. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) formed government with a slim majority (of one) in the House of Representatives.

The Coalition has 58 seats and the remaining 16 seats in the House of Reps fall to the crossbench, which is predominantly Green and Teal. The ALP doesn’t have a majority in the senate and will need the Greens (12 seats) to pass legislation. The other Senate seats are held by One Nation (two seats), the Jacqui Lambie Network (two seats), United Australia Party (one seat) and David Pocock (Independent).

Such a diverse mix can make the job of advocacy more difficult as there is a need to convince more individuals that our cause has merit. The BIC’s national ‘parlay’ now relies on garnering the support beyond the two big parties that is the traditional playground of Australian politics. The BIC Secretariat and BIC Council ramped up its advocacy efforts as soon as Prime Minister Albanese announced his Cabinet along with Peter Dutton leading the Shadow Cabinet and the Greens their portfolios.

From a bus and coach perspective we anticipate positive outcomes for the industry from the newly formed Australian parliament.

Prime Minister Albanese is a long-term supporter of buses and public transport. He has appointed Catherine King as the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government. Albanese, in his recognition of the importance of infrastructure and transport to ensure a productive nation, has also appointed Senator Carol Brown as the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

These are not the only government advocacy targets of the BIC. Clearly in our sights, as we transition the fleet to zero emissions, is Chris Bowen – Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Brendan O’Connor – Minister for Skills and Training.

With the federal government strongly focused on local manufacturing, we also have Ed Husic – Minister for Industry and Science and Senator Tim Ayres – Assistant Minister for Manufacturing.

An industrial relations shake-up is also on the table with Tony Burke – Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. All of these portfolios held by the new government are firmly in our sights.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie and the Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tony Pasin are also on our dance

card. So, too, are Senator Libby Watson-Brown – the Greens spokesperson for Infrastructure, Transport and Sustainable Cities, Adam Bandt – Greens spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change and Workplace Relations and Penny Allman-Payne – Greens spokesperson for Industry, Transition, and Regional Development.

This makes for quite an interesting dance card for the BIC as we traverse the not-so-majority, to the major-minority and the not-so-quiet crossbench, which in itself holds a different game plan. We will be busy!

BIC’s advocacy focus will include ensuring a safe and sustainable transition to zero emission buses and addressing skills and workforce shortages. Other areas of focus include removing barriers to local manufacturing and innovation, minimising the negative impacts of the reforms to the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport on industry. Our industrial relations arm, APTIA, will be working hard to ensure industrial relations changes work for industry, our employers and employees.

Buses always feature in elections – well the obligatory campaign bus does. But, at this election, the ALP made a big bus commitment. Anthony Albanese announced he would partner with the McGowan Labor government to deliver an electric bus manufacturing facility and more than 130 new and locally manufactured buses for Perth.

The new Australian government has also committed to develop Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy and promises to deliver a new National Urban Policy Framework. They will roll out hydrogen highways nationally, matching the funding already committed by NSW and Victoria, making the same amount available to other jurisdictions on a matching basis.

They also announced the establishment of a real-world vehicle fuel testing program to inform consumer choice.

The BIC will ensure that these announcements will benefit the bus and coach industry through our concerted advocacy campaign and reputation of working constructively with governments on policy and reform.

We welcome the opportunity to work with the 47th Australian Parliament on behalf of bus operators, manufacturers and associated service providers.

We all want the same thing – better buses and better cities. busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

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COVERSTORY

STYLERIDE

RIDING HIGH IN A NEW LOCALE On May 31 StyleRide opened its new manufacturing centre in Acacia Ridge.

Already the seat manufacturer has noticed the difference in its day-to-day operations.

WORDS SEAN MORTELL IMAGES STYLERIDE

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he daily operations of seating manufacturer StyleRide wasn’t easy for a couple of years. The Queensland-based company had to expand to a second site roughly a kilometre away from its head office. But now, StyleRide has officially opened its new manufacturing centre in Acacia Ridge.

StyleRide general manager of sales Stephen Long says the May 31 opening of the centre was a great day that surpassed the company’s expectations.

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ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

“The whole opening went really well,” Long says to ABC magazine.

“We had a really good turnout of industry members and senior leaders, as well as some travellers from Western Australia and New Zealand.

“When we initially put the plans together we thought maybe 60 people would attend, but in the end we got around 100 people there and it turned into a fantastic day.”

After years of operating out of two different centres, Long says the May 31

We’re now under one roof, there’s more of a team feel and it’s cleaner, lighter and brighter.

Opposite top: StyleRide’s manufacturing staff now get to see the seats pass through the whole process to reach their finished state.

Above: StyleRide’s new manufacturing centre in Acacia Ridge was opened on May 31.

Opposite, left: StyleRide general manager of sales Stephen Long.

Left, right and below: Some of the wide variety of seating manufactured by StyleRide.

opening was a welcome relief for many at StyleRide. During Covid-19 lockdowns the seating manufacturer had the welding and fabrication side of its operations completed on one site, before projects were transferred to a second centre for finishing.

It meant welders and fabricators didn’t get to see their hard-earned work in a finished state. To them, it simply went out the door, and it was only a concept that those seats ended up on a wide range of Australian vehicles, starting with coaches and expanding to ferries and marine vehicles.

Long says these workers now get to see the entire evolution of StyleRide’s products every day, and it makes them happier to see the fruits of their labour.

“It’s just become a different business already,” Long says.

“For years we were operating out of two different sites and it was a different world to where we are now.

“We’re now under one roof, there’s more of a team feel and it’s cleaner, lighter and brighter – everyone can busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

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COVERSTORY

STYLERIDE

We’ve got these new projects coming through that we’re really excited about – we’re diversifying into new markets and it’s a thrilling time for StyleRide.

actually see the product going the whole way through the manufacturing process.”

Long says the new premises allow for StyleRide to complete its 5S manufacturing principles in a way that increases efficiency. But the highlight of the new manufacturing centre is the drive-through installation bay.

StyleRide has used drive-through installation areas for around 18 months, but Long says the newer centre and the updated

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ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

drive-through bays are an improvement.

The drive-through installation area allows StyleRide customers to drop off seats or vehicles so workers can quickly complete seat installations and refurbishments in a dedicated spot.

“We’ve got a bus in there now where we are pulling the seats out, putting new seats in and retrimming the old seats for a client,” Long says.

“All we do is pull one set of seats

out and refurbish that, so when the customer brings the next bus in we put the refurbished seats back in and switch the old seats out in a rolling process.”

Long says these drive-through installations can take only one or two days, depending on the requirements of the project. If the project is a new installation of seats and there’s nothing already on the bus, StyleRide can complete the job easily. If there’s existing seats already in the vehicle, Long says it may take an extra day or two to first remove the seats and then reinstall the latest StyleRide products.

Previously, Long says the drive-through installation bay at the old centre wasn’t as convenient. The bus would be in the sun, making it difficult for workers to complete the projects in the scorching Queensland heat. But now, the new drive-through bays are air-conditioned and provide better spaces for StyleRide workers to complete the process efficiently.

Above left: Luxury leather seating for longer journeys.

Below, left to right: Sovereign and Protean flip-up seats.

Opposite, clockwise: Premier Protean; comfortable seating for drivers; Aquarius Deluxe.

“I’d say it’s now about 30 per cent faster for us to do these projects,” Long says.

“It’s created one of those opportunities where we have everyone on site so, if we need a couple of extra bodies, we can grab a few from the production line.

“It all just speeds up our processes and makes us better as a business.”

Long says it’s all created a new feel at StyleRide. The seat manufacturers primarily focused on bus and coach seats, and can now expand its offerings coming from the larger and cleaner new manufacturing centre. Long says he’s noticed the happier atmosphere around the new centre.

It’s led StyleRide to expand its ventures.

Rather than just being a bus and coach seat builder, Long says the company is offering a new range of products that can be used on a wide variety of vehicles. New Italian Lazzerini products are also entering StyleRide’s offerings to provide more options for StyleRide customers. Whether it be ferries, coaches, trucks or marine vehicles, StyleRide can cover it with its seating products.

“Our core has always been to supply bus seats and it’ll stay as that,” Long says.

“But we now have some defence force projects coming through and more marine projects, while we are also looking to export into Australia and New Zealand, too.

“We’ve got these new projects coming through that we’re really excited about – we’re diversifying into new markets and it’s a thrilling time for StyleRide.” busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

27

OPERATOR

KANE’S BUSES

KEEPING UP WITH THE KANES WORDS SEAN MORTELL IMAGES KANE’S BUSES

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ABC Jul,y 2022 busnews.com.au

From an external perspective, Jessica Kane’s career was always written in the stars. But now the recent graduate has found her calling carrying on the family’s bus business legacy.

W

hen Jessica Kane graduated from high school in 2015, she had no clue what career path she wanted to veer down.

She eventually settled on pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business, motivated by her family’s company Kane’s Buses. Kane was still uncertain about her future while studying until one conversation changed everything.

“During my six years of study there was one pivotal moment that shaped the course of my studies and career,” Kane told ABC magazine.

“I was chatting with an acquaintance when the topic turned to family businesses.”

The acquaintance didn’t know of Kane’s background, of her family’s school bus and charter service business that had been operating for half a century. They told Kane that family businesses must all eventually be bought out by bigger companies for the benefit of small communities.

It didn’t sit well with Kane.

“While I never said anything to the individual at the time, I felt so passionately that this statement wasn’t true. I felt a genuine desire to prove them wrong,” Kane says.

Growing up, Kane didn’t see

joining the family business as inevitable. Kane’s Buses was started

by Kane’s grandparents Lynette Marie Kane and John Leo. It is now run by her father Dennis and his two brothers Patrick and Peter.

Kane now works full-time as an administration manager with cousin and apprentice mechanic Adam and her aunty Carolyn, who is a bus driver and cleaner for the operator.

Kane grew up with her family’s business surrounding her. She remembers hearing many stories throughout her childhood about her grandparents starting the business more than 50 years ago. Kane says she’s grown to see her father and

Above: Kane’s Buses was set up over 50 years ago by Jessica Kane’s grandparents.

Opposite: Jessica Kane sees the value of maintaining her family’s small business and joined the team after finishing her studies.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

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OPERATOR

KANE’S BUSES

uncles build upon the family legacy in recent years.

When Kane first began working at the business part-time while studying, she saw the value her family’s business provided to the surrounding community.

Unlike what her university acquaintance tried to tell her, Kane saw a small family business benefiting Henty individuals in the rural and regional communities in the Greater Hume Shire.

It was enough to entice her into considering a career in the transport industry where she could continue the Kane family’s involvement in the company.

“I began working only a few hours a week at the business through university, but from that point onwards I had a growing interest in the family business,” Kane says.

“I had a desire to learn as much as I could in the hope that, one day, I could play a role in continuing my grandparents’ legacy.

“My hours and work within the business continued to grow throughout my first and second degrees, and now ends with me working full-time there.”

Once Kane worked out where 30

ABC Jul,y 2022 busnews.com.au

My hours and work within the business continued to grow throughout my first and second degrees, and now ends with me working full-time there.

Above: Kane alongside her family at graduation.

Opposite: Kane is now working full-time at Kane’s Buses.

she wanted to go in her career, she worked harder than ever.

Kane completed her bachelor’s degree at Charles Sturt University in 2021, before graduating with a Master of Commerce, majoring in human resource management and corporate communication in 2022.

While completing her master’s degree, Kane won two Deans Awards before graduating with distinction. Kane says her motivation to study hard while also learning valuable industry knowledge through her part-time work with Kane’s Buses combined into a busy, yet helpful, schedule.

Kane is adamant the mix of Charles Sturt University’s flexible schedule and Kane’s Buses real-life experience proved key to her winning the Deans Awards.

“One of the many things I appreciated about Charles Sturt University and its learning platform

was the way it so seamlessly fit into my day-to-day life,” Kane says.

“I’m also forever grateful to my father and uncles for being so open and supportive in allowing me to undertake different projects and make changes to different systems throughout my six years of study and now into my full-time work.”

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Kane. Halfway through the final semester of her master’s degree, Kane’s grandmother passed away 10 days after a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Although it came at a gut-wrenching time, Kane used the pain to motivate her towards graduating and working full-time at her family’s business.

“I was deeply saddened that both of my grandparents weren’t alive to see me graduate,” Kane says.

“But I feel a lot of pride and motivation each day as I walk into

work and think about how I’m able to play a part in continuing their legacy.

“It may sound silly, but buses have been in my blood all along. Although I was initially unsure of what I wanted to do after school, I’m confident that I have found my place in what is an incredibly interesting and exciting industry.”

Kane successfully graduated from Charles Sturt University’s School of Business this April after completing her degree in 2021. The now administration manager at Kane’s Buses chose to complete some of her master’s degree from distance due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Kane says it was a welcome change to be able to graduate and celebrate in person after six years of studying.

“Covid-19 robbed many of us the opportunity to celebrate major milestones and it’s so nice to feel like we are able to celebrate what has been a lot of hard work and a pivotal part of our lives,” Kane says.

“Being able to actually have and attend a graduation ceremony was so exciting.”

But now Kane turns her eyes towards the family business and its future in the transport industry. Unlike what other people may think, Kane says her family’s business isn’t dying.

Instead, she says it’s continuing to benefit Henty’s local community.

Kane says it’s an amazing evolution that she now works on complex technical systems that she played a role in integrating – work that her grandparents once did using a pen and paper.

While the transport industry continues to evolve, Kane says she feels well-placed to continue being a leader of change at Kane’s Buses.

“The transport industry is going to continue evolving and facing challenges like increased regulation, integration with technology and the challenge to provide sustainable solutions,” she says.

“I’m excited to use my learnings to help address them.”

Kane says she wants to help the people around her through her role at the local transport operator.

Whether it be through managing coach services or mapping out local school bus routes, Kane says she will continue to tackle challenges facing her regional area.

“The luxuries which so many metropolitan areas have in relation to their public transport systems don’t extend to these rural and regional areas where Kane’s Buses is located,” Kane says.

“I hope to play whatever role I can in helping improve or remove some of these barriers for our own communities in the public transport space.” busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

31

FEATURE

ROYANS COACHWORKS

ROYANS’ ROLE IN RESTORING A RELIC In 2014, Nick Wilson came across a Brisbane-based bus from the WWII era. Now, the timber-framed vehicle is being returned to its former glory, with a little helping hand from Royans Coachworks.

WORDS SEAN MORTALL IMAGES ROYANS COACHWORKS 32

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

The bus started its life as an army truck in WWII, and was later repurposed and fitted with a bus body in late 1947.

Y

ou don’t see many timber bus frames in this day and age, and for good reason.

Wooden frames long ago faded out when the longerlasting steel came along. So, when an old relic bus comes along with a wooden body, it’s enough to blow the mind of bus lovers. It did just that when Nick Wilson stumbled upon a WWII-era bus in 2014.

The Queensland Omnibus and Coach Society (QOCS) club president found the old bus by chance. Wilson was working for Bus Stop Sales & Service in Brisbane when the company sold its first ever vehicle in the form of a new Yutong bus to a small operator in Wandoan, six and a half hours

away from Brisbane. When the customer came to Brisbane to visit Bus Stop’s factory, they told Wilson about the relic.

“I remember the operators coming into our work and saying there’s this old bus in one of the sheds back in town at Wandoan,” Wilson told ABC magazine.

“I dismissed it originally as everybody has a different definition of what an old bus is, so I asked them to go back and take photos for me.

“When the photos were shown to me a couple of weeks later, I almost fell off my chair. It’s not every day you come across a bus that was built during the 1940s.”

When Wilson’s employer made another sale in Wandoan, he asked his boss if he could visit the town and see the bus in person. After volunteering to drive out to Wandoan from Brisbane to assist with the bus delivery, he wasn’t disappointed.

“For its age it was in incredibly good condition,” Wilson says.

“It had been housed in a shed since it had been out in Wandoan, but the roof of the shed had recently blown off during a severe

weather event. I quickly realised that we had to save it.”

After Wilson was informed that a local historical society declined the opportunity to save the bus, the wheels moved quickly. Wilson got South Bundy Buses owner Richard Hayes, a good supporter of QOCS, to organise the relocation of the bus to Bundaberg in August 2014. South Bundy Buses quickly brought the bus back to life in its Bundaberg depot, with new brakes, bearings and hubs fitted.

The company also got the

Top: Gary (centre) says this was the first timberframed bus he’d seen.

Above and left: The team’s woodworking skills are coming in useful in the restoration.

Opposite, Top: This is only one of 12 models built by IBIS Garage.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

33

FEATURE

ROYANS COACHWORKS

It’s been an incredibly exciting undertaking so far. It’s not every day that you rebuild a bus that’s 74 years old.

Above: The Royans Coachworks team is working to retain as much of the original framework as possible.

34

motor running again and began the painstaking restoration task until a staffing shortage slowed progress on the project. The bus remained in South Bundy’s shed until April last year when it was relocated to Brisbane.

QOCS owns a fleet of 20 buses dating back to 1938 that it actively restores for the benefit of future generations. Since 2015, the club has refurbished six buses, largely due to the generosity of the Queensland-based Royans Coachworks.

Since 2021, this WWII relic has been the latest restoration project for Wilson and his club.

Wilson says the depth of restoration required, and the unique nature of the vehicle, made it the perfect choice for QOCS’s next endeavour.

“The bus started its life as an army truck in WWII and was later repurposed and fitted with a bus body in late 1947,” Wilson says.

“I have identified in my research at the State Archives that this

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

bus was first approved for use by the Department of Transport on January 12, 1948. While the body was generally in good condition, there was a fair amount of bodywork and framework needing repair work and replacement. It’s certainly not been a small job.”

The rare wooden-framed vehicle has a British Bedford truck chassis with a locally-built body. After tracing the origins of the bus, Wilson found it was built by a firm called IBIS Garage just north of Brisbane in the suburb of Sandgate.

The bus is incredibly rare and is one of only 12 models built by IBIS. Following its stint during the war, Wilson says the bus became part of the local IBIS bus service and operated at Sandgate for around 20 years before ending its operational life at Wandoan on a school run.

In another fascinating twist of fate, the bus was owned by the late

father of Australian pharmacist, businessman and politician Terry White. Terry’s brother, Phil, is a QOCS club member and previously owned Cribb Island Bus Service/Red and White Coaches. Both brothers ensured QOCS had funding to begin planning the restoration of the bus.

When Wilson also secured an extra $23,500 of funding from the Queensland government late last year, the bus made another journey. This time, it went down to the trusted hands of Royans Coachworks in Acacia Ridge.

When Royans Coachworks section manager Gary first saw the bus roll into his premises in a pre-restored state, he was transported back.

“It’s the first timber framed bus I’ve ever seen in the bus building industry,” Gary told ABC. “Aesthetically it’s beautiful – it has

magnificent round corners and its parts were clearly handmade by people on a production line back in the day.

“It’s been exciting to effectively become a coach builder again with this bus.”

Royans Coachworks is now working on it part-time, using any spare time its workers have to recommence restoring the old bus. It’s a non-profit venture that Royans is doing to help Wilson and QOCS eventually parade around this beautiful relic.

Gary and the Royans Coachworks team say they have tried to retain as much of the original framework as possible during the restoration. Gary says he’s fortunate that his team has experience working on timber and restoring timber frames, while Gary himself has tinkered with older vehicles at home.

They’ve recreated original panels from scratch to keep the wooden frame intact. But, restoring a vehicle that’s so old means finding the right material soon became a challenge.

“It’s actually become quite a long project,” Gary says.

“We struggled to find the right wood to use, but we settled on using Tasmanian

oak as it was at a reasonable cost. We’ve found out that it was originally made from blackbutt wood and it was locally sourced.”

When they have time, Gary and his team have been taking out rotten wood and restoring the body back to similar conditions to when it was first rolled out in the ‘40s.

The bus currently has one side with panels pre-fitted, while the other side is exposed. It may be a long project, but Gary says his team is filled with joy whenever they get time to return to it.

“Everyone who works on it is always smiling because it’s very rewarding to be able to work on,” Gary says.

“It’s going to be magnificent as a working, driving vehicle and not just as a museum piece.

“It’s not the first restoration project we’ve done for QOCS – we get a lot of satisfaction out of finishing them and driving them out.”

Wilson says he last inspected the vehicle on March 22 after a lot of work was completed since September 2021.

The QOCS president says the restoration would never have happened if it wasn’t for

the support of Royans Coachworks and Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey.

“We want to highlight the incredible work and support Royans Coachworks gives to us,” Wilson says.

“There is no other business in the country that we would trust with a project of this complexity. We’re also lucky to have Minister Bailey personally supporting us and regularly coming to inspect the restoration project – he wants to make sure that our transport heritage is not lost.”

Both Wilson and Gary expect the bus to be fully restored before the end of the year.

When completed, QOCS will unveil the bus at its original terminus at Sandgate in a full circle celebration of the relic’s upgrade.

Regardless of when the project is complete, Wilson says the memories of discovering this bus and restoring it has been priceless.

“This is our first ever wooden frame bus restoration project,” Wilson says.

“It’s been an incredibly exciting undertaking so far. It’s not every day that you rebuild a bus that’s 74 years old.” busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

35

FEATURE

YUTONG 10TH ANNIVERSARY

YUTONG’S 10-YEAR MILESTONE

The bus and coach manufacturer was looking for a special moment to launch its 10th anniversary in Australia. It found the ideal opportunity in the Sydney suburb of Seven Hills.

WORDS SEAN MORTELL IMAGES YUTONG

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hen Yutong Bus started planning celebrations for its 10th anniversary of operating in Australia, it found a great way to begin the festivities.

The bus manufacturer managed to track its first-ever D7 bus sold on Australian

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ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

shores and Yutong staff visited the Sydney suburb of Seven Hills on a sunny Friday in June to reconnect with the 10-year-old bus.

“It’s really exciting for us,” Vehicle Dealers International (VDI)/ Yutong general manager Lou Riccardi told ABC magazine.

“It’s a fantastic story. We’ve managed to track down the first vehicle sold in Australia on our 10th anniversary.

“Seeing the vehicle, still operated by the original owner and in such great condition, is great to see.”

When Riccardi got to Seven Hills to see the bus, he wasn’t disappointed. The local community still uses it, with the vehicle running daily without any issues. In a significant boost for the way Yutong builds its buses since first supplying to Australian customers, Riccardi says the Seven Hills vehicle could keep driving for another 10 years.

The Seven Hills RSL bought the bus in 2012 on behalf of the local Royal Life Saving Aquatic Academy.

The bus drives students from schools to the aquatic centre and back for swimming lessons.

Without the Yutong bus, Royal Life Saving aquatics manager Bernadette Neal says many kids over the past decade may not have received the potentially life-saving training.

“Transport and the cost of transporting kids to pools is one of the biggest barriers facing children

learning to swim in our area,” Neal told ABC. “So, the Seven Hills RSL funded the bus 10 years ago and continues to support us by sponsoring the two buses we currently run.

“Now we deliver around 3,000 school swimming lessons to children in the local areas and have done so for 10 years.”

A decade ago, the decision to fund the Yutong bus was a no-brainer for the Seven Hills RSL. President Barry Wilson says the choice for members to pitch in and buy the bus for the aquatics centre and school swimming program has been worthwhile.

“It’s all to do with the kids and help them out wherever we can,” Wilson told ABC. “The Royal Life Saving Aquatic Academy does a fantastic job, and it’s an excellent organisation to be involved with.

“Our members had no issues in sponsoring them 10 years ago.

Our charity work and helping the

Seeing the vehicle, still operated by the original owner and in such great condition, is great to see. local community has been very important to us.”

Riccardi says discovering the impact Yutong’s first bus sold in Australia had on local groups is a special feeling. With Yutong looking for a meaningful way to begin its 10th-anniversary celebrations, the manufacturer found the perfect moment to reflect on its journey in Australia to date.

After expanding operations onto Australian shores a decade ago, Riccardi says the company is now the most prominent bus manufacturer in the world. It produces up to 70,000 vehicles per year, ranging from 14-metre buses to smaller six-metre models,

Above: Reconnecting with the first D7 sold has been a great way for Yutong to kick off its 10-year celebrations.

Opposite: Yutong took a new D7 to the event, to show the model’s evolution over the past decade.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

37

FEATURE

YUTONG 10TH ANNIVERSARY

We don’t sell buses; we sell service and backup, differentiating us from our competitors.

Above: The D7 has been operating on school runs, driving students to their swimming lessons.

Below: The new D7 is a flexible bus suitable for a wide range of sectors.

38

including articulated and doubledeckers. On the zero-emissions side of operations, Riccardi says Yutong is also the largest electric bus manufacturer in the world, with over 164,000 vehicles running routes in all continents except Antarctica.

He says Yutong’s success comes down to the aftersales service and support VDI provides to its customers.

“Selling the bus is the easy bit,” Riccardi says.

“We’re all about the service and backup we provide our customers.

“The aftersales service glues

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

our operations together. We don’t sell buses; we sell service and backup, differentiating us from our competitors.”

Riccardi isn’t the only person at Yutong excited about the year-long festivities in 2022. Yutong Australian director Charles Hwang has been with the manufacturer for 11 years and has worked with the Australian team for three years. He says finding the first D7 sold in the country and comparing it to the latest D7 model is a great feeling.

“Comparing the two, we can see significant developments and improvements made in our buses over the years,” Hwang told ABC. “Our team has continuously worked with Australian customers to provide the most suitable products.

“Ten years is a long time – it’s a generation of Yutong workers that have been working with local Australian communities. To find our first-ever bus in the country is an incredible moment.”

The Seven Hills reunion with Yutong’s first D7 wasn’t just a chance to celebrate the past but also the present. The manufacturer brought its latest D7 model to show the Seven Hills community.

The new Yutong 27-seater can be configured into 28 seats and is suitable for all mining, school, charter and coach sectors. Riccardi says the bus can be arranged into a 23-seat bus with reclining seats if required. A wheelchair lift can also

be fitted alongside seating for 23 passengers, making it an accessible and versatile vehicle.

When it comes to its capabilities, Riccardi says the Cummins 190hp (142kW) engine and 150-litre fuel tank it possesses has the new D7 at the top of its market segment.

“It’s a class within a class,” Riccardi says. “The new D7 comes standard with a 360-degree Mobileye Advanced Warning System, backup cameras, ABS, EBS, ASR and ESC, and a Euro VI Cummins engine, so it’s a step up.

“We’ve put the opposition on notice with this vehicle, and the price point is excellent.”

Riccardi expects the electric D7 to hit Australian roads within 12 to 18 months. The D7 is being spruiked alongside a brand new 57-seat school, mining, and charter bus set to premiere at the Bus & Coach Expo later this year.

Combined with the brand’s 10th Australian anniversary, Riccardi says he is excited about the company’s future direction.

“We’re going to electrify our whole fleet in the coming years,” he says.

“We’ve already got the vehicles ready to make this transition.

“For us, it’s solely about going through rigorous procedures to ensure the vehicles are tried, tested, and proven before hitting the streets.”

Ten years into its venture in Australia, Riccardi says Yutong will focus on its safety technology for the coming years as it continues to grow and transition towards an emissions-free bus market.

The general manager says the decade-old D7 first sold in Australia proves the manufacturer has historically focused on intense safety procedures. He says this focus will only improve in the years to come.

“One of our mottos for Yutong is we don’t consider the market as a testing ground, we consider the testing ground as the market,” Riccardi says. “The improvements we make in technology and safety are leading the global market.

“We’ll keep bringing safety to the forefront with our new vehicles – we’ll continue upping our game.”

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8/7/22 8:30 am

FEATURE

SEGE SEATS & KBL

SWITCHING I TO SEGE Four years ago Kangaroo Bus Lines changed and began using Sege seats on its coaches.

Now, Sege is its go-to coach seat provider.

WORDS SEAN MORTELL IMAGES KANGAROO BUS LINES

40

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

t wasn’t that long ago when Darren Webster was first introduced to Sege Seats’ seats, but it now feels like a lifetime.

The Kangaroo Bus Lines general manager came across Sege through manufacturer Irizar Asia Pacific, which installed Sege seats on its buses.

Webster immediately noticed the fine quality of Sege’s products.

“We instantly found that the Sege seats were much nicer than any other seats we’d had in the past,” Webster told ABC magazine.

“The price point was good, the serviceability was great and the access was exactly what we wanted from a maintenance point of view. I’m a mechanic by trade, so being able to get into the seats and access it all was wonderful.”

After first seeing Sege’s seats on the Irizar coach, Webster paid a visit to Sege’s seating showroom. Not long after, Kangaroo Bus Lines coaches had Sege passenger seats installed, before some more luxury coach seats with seatbelts also came from the manufacturer.

At last count, nine Kangaroo Bus Lines coaches have been fitted out with Sege seats.

Webster says his company, which was founded in 1978, offers a wide range of services for passengers, including school, urban and long-distance touring, outback Queensland tourist trips and cruise boat experiences. Webster has found his Sege seats come in handy when he takes off on coach education tours to Canberra.

“I’m an operator who tends to standardise, so if we’re going to buy a set of seats for coaches then everything has to be common so I can have spares sitting there,” Webster says.

“Looking at our last six coaches that we’ve bought, they’re all identical and the Sege seating is the same.

“It puts your costs down and makes it easier when you go on multiple coach jobs, as you have the comfort of knowing all of your coaches are the same and no passenger is racing to get onto a certain vehicle over others.”

Webster says Sege Seats Asia Pacific has quickly become Kangaroo Bus Lines’ preferred coach seating option.

Although Webster can see for himself the high quality of the seats, he says

We’ll keep developing seats for the future while keeping our core principles of comfort, style and safety in our eyeline. the primary reason for continuing to use Sege products comes from positive customer feedback.

Webster says his relationship with Sege started before the Covid-19 pandemic when he had a Custom Denning coach fitted with a set of Sege seats. Kangaroo Bus Lines customers quickly commented on the comfort of them.

When Webster returned to making coach trips out to Birdsville in western Queensland, he says the sturdy nature of Sege’s seats meant they became the perfect choice for the trip.

Yet it’s not just the comfort

and sturdiness of the seats that has impressed Webster. He says he loves the little aspects of Sege’s customisable seats and how they show Sege’s great understanding of what passengers need on coach trips.

Opposite: Nine coaches in the fleet have Sege seats.

Above: Customers have been providing positive feedback on how much they like the seats.

Right: Darren Webster first came across Sege seats on an Irizar bus.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

41

FEATURE

42

SEGE SEATS & KBL

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

“It’s all about the little things,” Webster says. “My seats have flip-down trays and USB ports to cater for everyone’s phones and iPads.

“When I’ve driven the coaches, I’ve noticed that customers put their phones on the tray and can rest it on a little groove that Sege makes in the tray – it’s those things that have attracted us to continue using Sege seats.”

All of this fulfils Sege’s motto of providing customisable seats that are comfortable for passengers.

Sege Seats Asia Pacific director Lance Taskin says his company has always wanted to provide a variety of seating options.

Taskin says these recent tray groove developments form part of Sege’s initiative to keep innovating and finding new ways to stay up to date with current global technology.

“We’ve got an engineering department where everyone works on ideas,” Taskin told ABC magazine.

“As far as coach seat technology goes, our team is up there among the best.

“We like to say that no project from a customer will be rejected.

Instead, we’ll keep developing seats for the future while keeping our core principles of comfort, style and safety in our eyeline.”

Sege Seats has already proved it can match it with the bus and coach industry’s evolution. Recently, Sege developed extra lightweight seats that are suitable for new electric bus and coach models that rely on shedding as much weight as possible.

For Webster, it’s not just the seats that makes the operator continually use Sege’s products. He says the relationship his company has with Sege means Kangaroo Bus Lines has had no problems since it first installed Sege seats onboard.

“They absolutely are our go-to coach seat option – we’ve got no reason to change,” Webster says.

“We’ve never had an issue getting spare parts and we get great service from them.

“At the end of the day it’s the customer you have to please, and

As far as coach seat technology goes, our team is up there among the best. customers have given us positive feedback on these seats we get from Sege.”

The relationship between Sege Seats Asia Pacific and Kangaroo Bus Lines is only continuing to grow. Taskin says Kangaroo Bus Lines is now trialling Sege’s new coach driver seats and will soon try the manufacturer’s latest school seats. Although Sege Seats supplies to many other large operators, Taskin says he particularly enjoys customising coach seats to suit Webster’s fleet.

It’s all part of Sege Seats’ wish to complete any custom seat orders it receives. To show customers what it can do, Sege has launched a website option where potential clients can view Sege’s products in various colours and with different attachments added. Taskin says providing customers with an in-depth view into the tailored products that Sege can offer is the best way forward for the company.

“This new function of the website shows a bit more of what we are capable of when it comes to seat configuration,” Taskin says.

“Ever since we first started distributing in Australia in 2013, we have been looking at ways to further customise our products.

“We’re continuing to see how we can improve the quality, comfort and safety technology in our seats.”

Above: Sege seats can be customised to suit a variety of bus configurations.

Opposite (centre): Kangaroo Bus Lines’ general manager Darren Webster Below: Sege seats are the go-to option for Kangaroo Bus Lines.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

43

FEATURE

BCI

NEW BCI BUS CALMS RANGE ANXIETY Bus & Coach International’s latest electric model can run double-shifts on a single battery charge.

WORDS SEAN MORTELL IMAGES BCI

44

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

B

us and Coach International (BCI) first began making electric buses in 2010 for Australian operators. But, after coming back to zero-emissions technology in 2017, BCI is set to realise another new electric model.

BCI was one of Australia’s earliest manufacturers to start producing electric buses. In 2010, the company built its first emissions-free bus for a Melbourne operator.

But BCI says it soon realised the industry marketplace wasn’t yet ready for electric buses to be introduced. Since this initial project of three trial buses, it took until 2017 for BCI to get back into trialling electric technology.

In 2019 it realised its first electric model since the 2010 trial. Now, its latest electric

model includes the best of BCI’s diesel bus technology, all wrapped into one small vehicle.

The new BCI Proma low floor electric bus is the latest zero-emissions model produced by the manufacturer. It follows a line of electric vehicles made since 2019, when the Citirider E electric bus first hit the market in Victoria.

BCI state manager Cameron Millen says plenty has changed regarding the company’s electric models since it released its first zero-emissions bus in 2010.

“Back then the technology was very different to what we use today,” Millen told ABC magazine.

“Now, we’ve gotten into our next generation of electric buses, starting with our first 2019 low floor bus that runs in Sydney and wider New South Wales.

“After building a nine-metre option, we saw our electric buses as part of a niche market for on-demand services and community buses, and our smaller low floor has been a popular addition to our fleet.”

The latest BCI zero-emissions bus continues this low floor design that is helping BCI stand out in the electric bus market. Many customers may not have heard about the newest BCI electric model, but it is already available to the Australian market and has gone on trial in Queensland.

With an overall length of 9.1 metres, Millen says the low entry, single-door city bus looks like BCI’s normal low floor diesel vehicles. Yet, the bus’s 29 belted seats (also available with metro seating) and 280 kilowatts of battery power makes it a sleek and efficient option for operators wanting to transition their smaller buses to electric power.

Millen says the new bus was built using the NSW transport department manufacturing specifications in mind, ensuring that the vehicle is as efficient as possible. BCI has taken time to create a charging infrastructure and battery range that can alleviate range anxiety.

“This new bus is a similar platform to our first 12-metre electric bus,” Millen says.

“We know on the electric side of production what does and doesn’t work.

“Customers are always different when buying electric buses, so we’ve built this model using the highest specifications in

the country. We made sure that, in testing, the bus could complete a double service shift without needing to be recharged, so we’ve proven that we’ve minimised weight and built in enough battery capacity to assure operators.”

Although the latest BCI model isn’t a completely new design for the manufacturer, it does have its own unique features. Millen says it’s a smaller and narrower bus than the 12.5-metre low floor electric model.

But, internally, the low floor electric bus comes into its own.

“It looks quite smart,” Millen says.

“The model’s unique features include the interior – passenger and drivers wouldn’t even know that they’re on an electric bus.

“It looks and feels like any normal diesel bus, but when it takes off it can’t be heard.”

Millen says the BCI Proma low floor electric bus first arrived in October last year before going on trial with mining company in Queensland. More models are set to arrive on Australian shores later this year, with additional operators queueing to trial the electric bus.

Millen says the model’s range is becoming a key selling point. Although many operators hold initial fears about the range of electric buses, he says these doubts are often alleviated once they begin driving the BCI suite of zero-emission technology vehicles.

“A lot of the range anxiety we’ve experienced is no different to what happens in the car industry,” Millen says.

“What we find is operators start driving electric buses and then become used to them and realise what they can do.

“These electric buses are less complicated than diesel buses – they have fewer moving parts and work on lower maintenance, so our trials have been based around operators touching and feeling these electric buses, particularly if they haven’t experienced them before.”

From Millen’s perspective, drivers love operating BCI’s latest electric buses. He says the newest model’s first trial in western Queensland went successfully and performed well. Millen says the Proma low floor model did everything that the company wanted it to do. He’s now looking ahead to the next trial planned for six months in NSW. BCI plans to exhibit this model at the upcoming Bus & Coach Expo later this year.

It will do so alongside another new electric model, a school and mining zero-emissions bus version of the same Proma low floor prototype that will hit the market soon.

“The next one to be released is a school and mining bus version of this model that will

We’ve proven that we’ve minimised weight and built in enough battery capacity to assure operators. be pretty similar, except for having different internal configurations,” Millen says.

“We also have designs for hydrogen buses we’ve been working on for some time now.

“We have similar length diesel buses with the low floor that have done well in the market, so we will continue trying to get all of these models across to zero-emissions as we see that as the way of the future.”

Millen says BCI’s future is filled with planning for the transition to zero-emissions buses. While the manufacturer will continue devising plans for hydrogen and batterypowered models, Millen says it’ll keep producing vehicles to ensure BCI is quickly making entirely sustainable buses to meet the growing demand.

“We’ll continue transitioning to zero-emission buses,” Millen says.

“We’ll make sure we’re ready to make the change when it comes and have models made that are emissions-free.”

Above: BCI state manager Cameron Millen.

Opposite, Top: BCI’s new Proma low floor electric bus.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

45

EVENT

BIC NATIONAL SUMMIT

BIC’S BIG BUS CHAT

After years of disruptions prevented the Bus Industry Confederation from hosting its National Summit, the Australian bus industry finally got together in late June to discuss the issues facing the sector.

O

riginally the Bus Industry Confederation’s (BIC) second National Summit was meant to be held this past February. But, after Covid-related issues delayed the event, the bus industry finally reconvened in June and caught up on lost time. With the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Summit also not going ahead, the bus industry was ready to chat.

More than 260 delegates from leading bus and coach companies across Australia, as well as representatives from federal, state and territory government departments, met at Canberra’s Hotel Realm in the parliamentary triangle to discuss the latest developments in the industry.

The national summit provided opportunities for government, operators, 46

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

WORDS SEAN MORTELL IMAGES BIC body builders and manufacturers to mix with industry experts and researchers in an open forum setting. Senator and Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell opened proceedings on the first morning with a political view on the future of the Australian bus industry.

He was followed by BIC chair Tony Hopkins who introduced the main topics of the two-day summit. Hopkins set the tone early, saying an industry developed zero emissions bus (ZEB) standards and specifications advisory is being developed to counter a lack of a policy and regulatory framework by governments. The advisory is essential for the industry when it comes to transitioning safely to ZEBs. “It shouldn’t be the responsibility of the industry to self-regulate when it comes to standards and specifications,” Hopkins says. “The government is lagging on it

even though we’re transitioning.”

From there, the meeting of the bus industry quickly turned to other issues.

BIC national policy manager Madonna Woodhead discussed the challenges facing the sector with additional reforms to the Disability Standards to make public transport more accessible.

Woodhead was followed by National Transport Commission (NTC) executive leader for regulatory reform Aaron de Rozario, who summarised the changes made to Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) since BIC’s last national conference held in late 2019. De Rozario also outlined further proposed reforms to the HVNL. Stephen Lucas then steered the Summit onto the main environmental theme of BIC’s ‘no bullshit’ approach towards the race to zero emissions in the bus industry. The chair of BIC’s zero emission

bus committee, and Warrnambool Bus Lines managing director, says the industry has been forced to determine standards single-handedly without government help, reiterating Hopkins’ message that the bus industry is leading the way in transitioning to zero-emissions.

But, instead of solely discussing the frameworks and ideologies behind transitioning to ZEBs, BIC welcomed panels of companies to discuss the benefits of various technologies.

In a sign of the bus industry’s futuristic perspective on sustainable technology, the likes of Viva Energy, Emerald Coaches and Red Bus Services discussed examples of recent hydrogen fuel-cell technology trials.

To provide a balance between hydrogen fuel-cell and battery electric technology, JET Charge, Electromotiv and Transit Systems all mentioned the benefits of using electric technology to power bus fleets.

The summit was filled with constant comparisons between the two leading technologies, as Transit Systems, Transport for New South Wales and Transport Canberra all spoke of their experiences with this range of sustainable power.

Discussions on potential technology finished the first day. Deakin University researcher Loren Tuck and ANU battery storage researcher Bjorn Sturmberg gave insights into the future of both electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technology when it comes to storage and infrastructure, providing industry members with a glimpse into developing technology.

After the many presentations made on ZEB transitions on the first day, the second

day of the summit reviewed other pressing matters in the bus and coach industry. The national technical summit heard from a range of BIC members and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator CEO Sal Petrocitto about heavy vehicle law changes and improvements to the fleet since 2017.

Panels consisting of representatives from Energy Australia, Mercedes-Benz Bus & Coach and Volgren Australia continued sifting through the complex challenges facing the technical realities of a zero-emissions industry, while Australian Design Rules compliance also became a hot topic in the afternoon.

While this discussion on vehicle standards and safety continued the technical presentations, the national Industrial Relations (IR) seminar sifted through the skilled worker shortage stunting the growth of many operators and manufacturers.

Human relations managers reiterated new ways to recruit and retain staff, while BIC’s national IR manager Ian MacDonald led a panel on the current state of insecure employment in the industry.

By the end of the fast-paced two-day summit, many bus industry members were presented with a new world of information, mainly swirling around the ever-growing challenges of the sector’s transition into ZEBs.

“It shouldn’t be the responsibility of the industry to self-regulate when it comes to standards and specifications.”

Under the new federal government, BIC chair Hopkins is confident these reforms can happen.

“We have a new Australian Labor government who are public-transport friendly,” Hopkins says. “Anthony Albanese has always been a good friend of BIC, and it’s good having a Prime Minister who is in-tune with our public transport needs.

“It’s an exciting time for us and the industry to work with the new Prime Minister and the government to prioritise our needs in the immediate future.”

Opposite, top and left: Electromotive CEO Adrian Salinas; JET Charge BD sector manager – bus Alex Bowler.

Above and centre: ABC magazine made an appearance; BIC executive director Roz Chivers.

Left: The two-day event was a great opportunity for the industry to come together.

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

47

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ABC 419.indd 51

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8/7/22 8:30 am

EVENTS

INDUSTRY EVENTS FOR 2022 Be sure not to miss out on an opportunity for these fantastic in-person events.

MEGATRANS

24–26 AUGUST 2022 MELBOURNE Check out what’s taking place in the general world of transport and logistics at the 2022 Megatrans events taking place this August. Occupying the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Building, Megatrans is Australia’s largest integrated conference and exhibition dedicated to the logistics industry. While the focus is on logistics, the event can provide some insights into advances for the transport industry, as Megatrans will showcase the latest in artificial intelligence, robotics, telematics and route optimisation, intelligent fleet systems and advanced analytics. It will take place alongside Bulk2022, which will similarly offer insights into the logistics and multimodal freight sector.

Megatrans.com.au

AUSTRALASIA BUS & COACH EXPO 2022 5–6 OCTOBER 2022 SYDNEY Australasian Bus & Coach magazine is proud to be the Official Media Partner for the 2022 Australasia Bus & Coach Expo.

Taking place at Sydney Olympic Park, the event will be an opportunity to see and evaluate the latest in bus technology – including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses – all in one location.

Organisers expect exhibition spaces to sell out, with strong interest in both exhibiting and attending. The event will include a 52

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

Volvo Welcome Function on Tuesday October 4 and an Industry Gala Dinner on Wednesday October 5. www.busandcoachexpo.com.au

2022 BIC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 13–16 NOVEMBER 2022 BRISBANE The Bus Industry Confederation will hold its National Conference in Brisbane from 13 to 16 November. The theme for the National Bus Industry Conference is ‘Moving People – Navigating Change’.

The conference aims to engage high level discussion on current and emerging issues, trends and challenges for our moving people industry. The program will include presentations from highly

regarded policy leaders and policy thinkers to engage delegates on what our future cities and regions look like and future transport needs. Industry is currently experiencing a number of external factors that, for many, will mean a new or adapted sustainable business model for the future. The conference will include a blockbuster session on zero emissions and examine business agility and resilience in recovering from environmental and health impacts such as floods and pandemics. https://movingpeople.com.au

Above: The 2022 Australasia Bus & Coach Expo will take place in Sydney in October.

Below: Megatrans will take place in Melbourne in August.

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27 pax will travel in comfort while the driver will find the 160hp 4.5lt Cummins and Allison auto make his life easy. Usual Yutong features such as curtains, ice cold air conditioning, electronic desto and reversing camera.

With only 480,000km, the very popular combination of B7R and Endura body with 50 leather recliners would suit many different buyers so be quick at this price!

Contact us now!

$186,000

$55,000

$139,000

1800 YUTONG

FLEET SALES Warren young 0459 910 262

VDI Yutong Ad_2022_v7.indd 1 ABC 419.indd 53

NSW Glenn Davidson 0407 993 972

VIC/SA/TAS Don Imrie 0437 784 493

NORTH NSW/SOUTH QLD Barry Henderson 0427 750 885

NORTH QLD David Green 0418 253 422

yu ton g. com.au

CONTACT ONE OF OUR YUTONG SALES TEAM TOLL FREE 1800 YUTONG (988 664)

10/6/22 2:38 am pm 8/7/22 8:30

DELIVERIES

JUNE 2022

Volvo had a very strong June, with its 39 deliveries the best seen since July 2020.

June keeps numbers steady

I

June hit 102 deliveries again, for a second month running t was triple figures again for bus deliveries in June, with 102 units sent out across Australia marking a strong end to the last financial year.

In the chassis sector Volvo strode out in front with 39 deliveries – an impressive 16 ahead of its May result and its highest result since July 2020. Scania came in second with 16, down from May’s 23, while BCI snagged third place with 15, up from the previous month’s seven. Yutong dropped to fourth with 10 and Mercedes-Benz saw an increase of two on May’s result to reach eight. BYD and I-Bus matched with a pair of fives – marking BYD’s highest result of the year so far. Custom Denning saw an increase to three, up from May’s one, while King Long recorded one delivery.

In the body-building sector Volgren retained its lead with a June result of 24, though this was a decline on May’s 31, while BCI took second place with 16 – double its May result. Custom Denning showed a strong end to the financial year with 15, up from six in May and its highest result this year. Irizar jumped up from one in May to 11 in June, while Yutong saw the opposite with a decrease from May’s 21 to a June total of 10. Bustech Group saw an increase May’s two to June’s seven, while I-Bus recorded five, falling from third place in May to seventh. The remaining 14 units were recorded by six other body builders.

In the air conditioning sector Thermo King saw its best result of 2022 with 45. Bringing up second place with a joint result of 14 were Hispacold and

MCC – both seeing gains on their May results – while third place Cling-Yutong saw a drop from May’s 21 to reach 10.

Valeo remained steady with six, though Coachair saw a small decrease from May’s seven to reach four in June. In seventh place we have a new addition to the ABC deliveries data, with Chinese supplier Songz recorded in four I-Bus units. The remaining six deliveries were from three other manufacturers.

At the state level Victoria was superseded by NSW, which saw 28 deliveries in June, up from 22 in May, while Western Australia took second place with 25, up from 20 the previous month. Queensland recorded 24 deliveries, up from 16 in May, while Victoria fell down the chart with 18 deliveries after having reached 40 the previous month. All remaining buses went to South Australia, which saw an increase from two in May to seven in June.

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

We have a new addition to the ABC deliveries data, with Chinese supplier Songz recorded in four I-Bus units.

54

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

Volgren 24 BCI 16 Custom Denning 15 Irizar 11 Yutong 10

SALES BY BODY

Bustech Group 7 I-Bus 5

In the body-building sector Volgren retained its lead with a June result of 24, though this was a decline on May’s 31, while BCI took second place with 16 – double its May result. Custom Denning showed a strong end to the financial year with 15, up from six in May and its highest result this year. Irizar jumped up from one in May to 11 in June, while Yutong saw the opposite with a decrease from May’s 21 to a June total of 10. Bustech Group saw an increase May’s two to June’s seven, while I-Bus recorded five, falling from third place in May to seventh. The remaining 14 units were recorded by six other body builders.

Express Coaches 4 Coach Concepts 3 Scania 3 Marcopolo 2 Coach Design 1 King Long 1

7%

27%

SA

18%

NSW

VIC

SALES BY AIR-CONDITIONER In the air conditioning sector Thermo King saw its best result of 2022 with 45. Bringing up second place with a joint result of 14 were Hispacold and MCC – both seeing gains on their May results – while third place Cling-Yutong saw a drop from May’s 21 to reach 10. Valeo remained steady with six, though Coachair saw a small decrease from May’s seven to reach four in June. In seventh place we have a new addition to the ABC deliveries data, with Chinese supplier Songz recorded in four I-Bus units. The remaining six deliveries were from three other manufacturers.

Percentage by

REGION

Thermo King Hispacold MCC Cling-Yutong Valeo

23% QLD

45 14 14 10 5

Coachair Songz Konvecta Spheros King Long

4 4 3 2 1

25% WA

VOLVO 39 SCANIA 16 BCI 15 YUTONG 10 MERCEDES-BENZ 8

Sales by chassis

BYD 5

In the chassis sector Volvo strode out in front with 39 deliveries – an impressive 16 ahead of its May result and its highest result since July 2020. Scania came in second with 16, down from May’s 23, while BCI snagged third place with 15, up from the previous month’s seven. Yutong dropped to fourth with 10 and Mercedes-Benz saw an increase of two on May’s result to reach eight. BYD and I-Bus matched with a pair of fives – marking BYD’s highest result of the year so far. Custom Denning saw an increase to three, up from May’s one, while King Long recorded one delivery.

I-BUS 5 CUSTOM DENNING 3 KING LONG 1

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

55

DELIVERIES

JUNE 2022 ENGINES

TRANS­MISS

UNITS

MANUFACTURER, OPERATOR & LOCATION

CHASSIS

BCI

Goldrush Tours Northfleet Horizons West Sodexo

WA WA WA WA

2 11 1 1

BCI Fleetmaster BCI Fleetmaster BCI Classmaster BCI Fleetmaster

BCI BCI BCI BCI

325 325 320 410

R R R R

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6

A A A A

BYD

Kinetic Melbourne Surfside Bus Lines

VIC QLD

2 3

BYD D9RA BYD D9RA

Volgren Volgren

300 kW 300 kW

R R

Zero Zero

A A

CUSTOM DENNING

N/A N/A N/A

QLD NSW VIC

1 2 1

Custom Denning Custom Denning Element Volvo

Custom Denning Custom Denning Custom Denning

340 340 320

R R R

Euro 5 Zero Euro 6

A None A

I-BUS AUSTRALIA

Coast & Country Budget Rentals N/A N/A

QLD VIC QLD QLD

1 2 1 1

Isuzu NQR Isuzu NQR Isuzu NQR Isuzu FRR

I-Bus I-Bus I-Bus I-Bus

190 190 190 210

F F F F

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5

A A A A

KING LONG MERCEDES-BENZ

N/A

VIC

1

King Long

King Long

285

R

Euro 5

A

N/A N/A N/A N/A

NSW QLD VIC NSW

1 1 1 5

MB OC500RF E5 1936 MB O500RS MB OC500LE E6 MB OC500LE E6

BCI Irizar Volgren Custom Denning

360 360 300 300

R R R R

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A A

SCANIA

Cavbus Pty Ltd T/As Logan Coaches DPTI – Dept of Public Transport Infrastructure Eggins Holdings Pty Ltd T/A Eggins Comfort Coaches Mees Bus Lines Pty Ltd Mt Gravatt Coach & Travel Nolan Meats Pty Ltd Quinns Bus Services St Marys Secondary College Ventura Bus Lines Pty Ltd Ventura Bus Lines Pty Ltd Warragul Bus Lines Pty Ltd

QLD SA NSW VIC QLD QLD QLD VIC VIC VIC VIC

2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1

Scania K 310 IB4X2 Scania K 320 UB4X2 Scania K 320 UB4X2 Scania K 360C B4x2NI Scania K 360 IB4X2 Scania K 360 IB4X2 Scania K 310 IB4X2 Scania K 310 IB4X2 Scania K 320 UB4X2 Scania K 360 IB4X2 Scania K 320 UB4X2

Irizar Bustech Group Express Coaches Coach Design Irizar Scania Higer Express Coaches Irizar Volgren Scania Higer Volgren

310 320 320 360 360 360 310 310 320 360 320

R R R R R R R R R R R

Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6 Euro 6

VOLVO

Busways Buslines Buslines Moriah College Irizar Asia Pacific Wide Bay Transit Linq Buslines Portbus Velbus CDC Victoria Irizar Asia Pacific Flagstaff Coaches Gull Services Keolis Downer Link SA Adelaide Coachlines Public Transport Authority WA Public Transport Authority WA Public Transport Authority WA Keolis Downer Hunter Forest Coach Lines

NSW NSW NSW NSW QLD QLD NSW NSW NSW VIC VIC SA VIC SA SA WA WA WA NSW NSW

5 3 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 5 1 2 3 1

Volvo B8R Volvo B8R Volvo B8RLE Volvo B8R Volvo B11R Volvo B8RLE Volvo B11R Volvo B11R Volvo B8R Volvo B5LH Volvo B8R Volvo B8R Volvo B8R Volvo B8R Volvo B8R Volvo B8RLE Volvo B8RLEA Volvo BZL Volvo B8RLE Volvo B8R

Custom Denning Volgren Express Coaches Volgren Irizar Bustech Group Coach Concepts Coach Concepts Custom Denning Volgren Irizar Irizar Marcopolo Marcopolo Coach Concepts Volgren Volgren Volgren Bustech Group Volgren

330 330 320 330 450 320 450 450 330 240 330 330 330 330 330 320 320 540 320 320

R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Zero Emission Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A A A A AS AS A A A A A A A A A A A A

YUTONG

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

QLD QLD WA WA QLD QLD QLD QLD NSW QLD

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Yutong D7 Yutong D9 Yutong D12 Yutong D7 Yutong D12 Yutong D12 Yutong D12 Yutong D12 Yutong D7 Yutong D7

Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong

160 250 360 160 360 360 360 360 160 160

F R R F R R R R F F

Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A A A A A A A A

56

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

TOTAL DELIVERIES 102

(Model)

BODY BUILDER

HP*

Rear / Front

Emissions standard

A: Automa M: Manu AS: Auto-S O: Opticru

A A A Opticru Opticru A A A A A Opticru

NUMBER OF SEATS

APPLICATION SEATING

SEAT BELTS

WHEEL CHAIR LIFT ACCESS

AXLES

TRANS­MISSION

BODY LENGTH

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6

A A A A

ZF Allison Allison ZF

2 2 2 3

12.3 12.3 12.3 14.5

MCC MCC Thermo King MCC

– 57 72 –

55 – – 63

– – – –

– – – –

X X – X

– – – –

– – X –

Sege Sege Sege Sege

Y Y Y Y

N N N N

Zero Zero

A A

BYD BYD

2 2

12.1 12.1

Thermo King Thermo King

– –

– –

37 37

– –

– –

X X

– –

McConnell Styleride

N N

N N

Euro 5 Zero Euro 6

A None A

Allison N/A ZF

2 2 2

12.3 12.5 12.5

Thermo King Valeo Valeo

2 – –

– – –

– 43 49

X – –

– – –

– X X

– – –

Sege Custom Denning Custom Denning

Y N N

N Y Y

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5

A A A A

Isuzu Isuzu Isuzu Isuzu

2 2 2 2

8 8 8 9

Songz Songz Songz Thermo King

32 32 32 34

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

X – X X

APM APM APM APM

Y Y Y Y

N N N N

Euro 5

A

ZF

2

10.2

King Long

57

–

–

–

–

–

X

GD

Y

N

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A A

ZF Ecolife ZF Ecolife ZF ZF

2 2 2 2

12.3 12.3 12.5 12.5

Thermo King Hispacold Thermo King Thermo King

57 – 57 49

– 44 – –

– – – –

– – – –

– X – –

– – – X

X – X –

Sege Sege Styleride Styleride

Y Y Y Y

N N N N

Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A Opticruise Opticruise A A A A A Opticruise

ZF ZF ZF Scania Scania ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF Scania

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

12.3 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.3 12.3 12.3 12.3 12.5 12.3 12.5

Hispacold Hispacold Thermo King Coachair Hispacold Konvekta Thermo King Hispacold Coachair Konvekta Coachair

57 43 – – 57 57 57 57 – 58 –

– – – 48 – – – – – – –

– – 48 – – – – – 41 – 41

– – – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – X – – – X –

– X X – – – – – X – X

X – – X X – X X – – –

Sege Precision Bus McConnell McConnell Styleride Styleride McConnell Styleride McConnell McConnell McConnell

– – – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – – –

Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Emission Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A A A A AS AS A A A A A A A A A A A A

ZF ZF ZF ZF Volvo iShift ZF Volvo Volvo ZF Volvo I-Shift ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF ZF Volvo ZF ZF

2 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2

12.3 12.3 12.5 12.3 13.5 12.5 12.5 13.5 12.5 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9 10-12.9

Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Hispacold Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Valeo Hispacold Hispacold Spheros Spheros Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King Thermo King

55 57 – 57 – – – – 57 40 48 57 57 57 – – – – – 53

– – – – 50 48 54 – – – – – – 53 – – – – –

– – 49 – – 50 – – – – – – – – – 41 – 38 46 –

– – – – Y – X X – – X – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

X X X – – Y – – – X – – – – – X X X X –

– – – X – – – – X – – X X X X – – – – X

Styleride Styleride Styleride Styleride Sege Styleride Styleride Styleride Styleride McConnell Sege McConnell Marcopolo Marcopolo McConnell McConnell McConnell McConnell Styleride McConnell

Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N N N N Y

N N N N Y N Y N N N Y N N N N N N N N N

Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 5 Euro 6 Euro 6

A A A A A A A A A A

Allison Allison Allison Allison Allison Allison Allison Allison Allison Allison

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

8 10 12.4 8 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4 8 8

Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong Cling-Yutong

28 39 57 28 57 57 57 57 28 28

– – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – – –

X X X X X X X X X X

Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong Yutong

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N N N N N N

missions andard

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

TRANS MAKE

(metres)

AIR-CON (Brand)

Fixed Coach

Recliners

Metro

Long Distance

Charter

City or Route

School

busnews.com.au July 2022 ABC

57

NEWS

THE BACK SEAT

Going purple for the Jubilee As part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee festivities in London in June, an English bus operator has celebrated in a unique way.

B

ritons recognised the longreigning monarchy of the Queen in June. They partied in the streets. They marched through parades. And, in Nottingham, they painted their buses purple.

In this colourful twist, Nottingham City Transport honoured the Queen by creating a new commemorative bus to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

When looking to commemorate the Queen’s 70-year reign as the head of the monarchy in the Commonwealth, the transport operator went for an ADL Scania E400 double deck model. Nottingham City Transport purchased the bus in 2015 before enlisting its graphic designer Monique Graham to design the livery in-house.

Graham worked with the Platinum Jubilee’s official guidance and branding documents to design the exterior before ADL painted the bus.

The double deck bus is covered in a purple, platinum and a white version of Nottingham City Transport’s livery and features the official Platinum Jubilee emblem. The operator says the platinum colour of the rare bus represents Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne, while the purple is associated with royalty.

Nottingham City Transport officially unveiled the ‘Jubilee Bus’ on May 4 so the bus could travel many routes in the English city before the Platinum Jubilee celebrations got underway on May 25.

Nottingham City Transport has operated throughout the city for more than a

58

ABC July 2022 busnews.com.au

century and continued to make its mark on history by designing this special bus.

Lord Lieutenant Sir John Peace, Nottingham Lord Mayor David Trimble and Nottingham City Transport managing director David Astill were all present to launch the special bus and pay tribute to the Queen’s long reign as head of the royal family.

“Nottingham City Transport has proudly served Nottingham for 144 years and it is remarkable that, for almost half of that time, the same sovereign in Elizabeth II has served her country and Commonwealth,” Astill told ABC magazine.

Above: (L-R) Sir John Peace, Davd Astill and Nottingham Lord Mayor Cllr David Trimble Below: The Jubilee Bus in its purple and platinum livery

“We think it appropriate to acknowledge her achievement on behalf of the city.”

But this isn’t the first time that Nottingham City Transport has commemorated the Queen’s milestones.

In 1977, the operator celebrated Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee with two buses in a special silver livery that served through the city for the year.

The tradition continues in 2022 with the Platinum Jubilee, as Nottingham City Transport unveiled a unique Sunday service on bank holidays in the first week of June to showcase the rare bus.

Nottingham’s Scania wasn’t the only instance of a bus joining the Jubilee celebrations. As the parades continued through the inner streets of London and down to Buckingham Palace, retro buses that were especially made to recognise certain decades of the Queen’s reign joined the travelling party.

This included a 1990s-themed double decker party bus that played host to English icons like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss as the parade of vehicles wound their way through London.

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