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The latest BIC national conference, coupled with our fleet management technology focus, outlines the beautiful core reasons that are motivating the bus industry to make transport more accessible for all
In the aftermath of the Bus Industry Confederation’s (BIC) national conference for 2025, the message was made loud and clear: for an industry that is well-known for being so together and close, unity has never been more important.
It didn’t take long for the national body to repeat this point on the opening morning of its conference in front of approximately 450 delegates.
“Unity, collaboration, harmony – it’s the way the industry moves forward,” BIC chair Tony Hopkins said.
“There are so many challenges facing the industry – we need to make bus driving a respected long-term career again.”
In the past year, this idea has already come to fruition, with the national sector leading the way when it has come to working against an asset procurement freeze in Victoria, introducing safety screen initiatives, welcoming a new Australian Design Rule on wearing seatbelts in buses and ensuring bus drivers were placed on the national occupation shortage list.
excitement. However, being able to chat to the Volvo team from page 24 and learn just what makes this new platform such a landmark achievement in Australia’s zero-emissions coach sector is cause for celebration.
Accessibility is also at the heart of Yutong’s new E7S electric bus. Paul Aldridge takes us inside the latest model coming from Yutong this month, learning about the important details that the manufacturer has installed in this unique bus to make it a perfect option for on-demand, community transport applications. Check out Paul’s take on page 28.
Volgren also weighed in on this topic, outlining its latest developments and aspirations to produce a truly national network of high-quality bus bodies in a range of markets, as can be seen on page 33.
For an industry that is well-known for being so together and close, unity has never been more important
BIC executive director Varenya Mohan-Ram doubled down on this, citing these achievements as only being possible due to the collective approach that the industry has taken in recent months.
“To deliver a truly connected Australia, we need to be a connected industry,” he said.
“When we speak with one voice and one narrative, governments around Australia will listen.”
This idea has sat with me in the time since the conference, as it plays in perfectly to the theme of our November edition of ABC Magazine around fleet management technology. In a not too distant past, public transport technology was seen as minor and a luxury, a privilege for operators wanting to take their fleets to the next level.
Nowadays, companies featured in this edition prove that bus management technology has never been so evolved, with many providers having one simple aim – to make transport more accessible for all.
Before we delve into these technologies, this idea of flexibility and accessibility is also being seen on the OEM side, particularly from the likes of Volvo, who grace our cover this month. The unveiling of Volvo’s new electric coach platform, the BZR Electric, has already stirred plenty of
Now, onto the fleet management software side of this month’s bumper magazine. When chatting to the team at Busable, the amazing backstory that has produced this transport technology business is outstanding and emotional. From page 36, learn about the powerful drivers pushing Busable into the spotlight as the brand strives to make public transport easy to access for all.
Since its inception, transportme has worked in a very similar way, using its astounding innovations to provide a one-stop shop for bus and coach operators. From page 42, the emerging technological force discusses its roots and what is coming next for operators after recent wins in NSW.
The likes of Consat (page 44), ZF (page 46) and Fleet Support SA (page 48) also outline their technological developments and what it means for buses and coaches running routes daily around the nation in what is another crammed edition of ABC. We hope you enjoy the read!
Sean Mortell EDITOR, ABC
06. editorial | ignition NATIONALNETWORK
The latest BIC national conference, coupled with our fleet management technology focus, outlines the beautiful core reasons that are motivating the bus industry to make transport more accessible for all
10. news | all aboard
Check out the latest news from around Australia and the world features
22. column | bic BRINGINGEVERYONETOGETHER
Through two stimulating days of discussions and the crowning of the industry’s national awards, BIC’s 2025 national conference in Perth had it all for Australia’s bus and coach sector
24. cover story | volvo FLEXIBLEBYNATURE
Volvo Bus Australia’s zero-emissions focus has reached new heights with the recent launch of a new electric coach platform that is fully customisable to operator needs
28. review | yutong NIFTYNEWNUMBER
Paul Aldridge recently got to take Yutong’s new E7S for a spin around Sydney’s suburbs as he learnt about the unique features that make this on-demand electric bus shine
33. feature | volgren DRIVINGTHEZERO-EMISSIONFUTURE
Volgren’s focus on producing a more sustainable network of bus bodies is paying off as the manufacturer opens more sites around Australia 36. fleet management | busable THEBEAUTYOFBUSES
Decades after his parents fled war-torn Cambodia and raised a family in Australia, Heroly Chour, through Busable, is helping bus operators deliver safer, smarter and more connected bus transport
38. industry issue | victorian bus network THEPOORCOUSIN
Recent documents tabled in Victorian Parliament have revealed a lack of funding and appetite for reform when it comes to bus. Sean Mortell investigates the state’s attitude on buses as community groups begin to call for network change
42. fleet management | transportme SEAMLESSTRANSITTECHNOLOGY
Just over a decade ago, transportme was founded within the bus industry. Now, the tech company is thriving through its array of transport solutions
44. fleet management | consat BEYONDTHEDASHBOARD
Consat is demonstrating how modern bus management systems go far beyond tracking, offering operators powerful tools that enhance service reliability and passenger experience
46. fleet management | zf FOREFRONTOFCHANGE
As a major global player in vehicle technology, ZF’s very own fleet management system is revolutionising bus and coach operations in Australasia
48. fleet management | fleet support sa SMARTERHABITS,SAFERJOURNEYS
FieldLock’s new bus seatbelt alert system is turning safety from a rule into a reflex for the next generation of passengers
51. competition | best bus ROCK’N’ROLL
The November winner of Best Bus comes courtesy of a glorious coach in the middle of the Eyre Peninsula
54. factory facts | bus deliveries OCTOBERDELIVERIES
Check out the latest bus and coach supplier sales data collected and recorded for you to review and see how the market fared in October
58. back seat | dog daycare BUILDINGACOMMUNITY
In Queensland’s Scenic Rim, Jo McVilly turned her dream of a bus full of dogs into a rolling symbol of joy, connection and second chances
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Cover image: Volvo Bus Australia
The popular Victorian bus and coach company has announced a change at the top, with an experienced transport executive stepping into the role of CEO
Longstanding Victorian bus and coach operator Ventura has announced the appointment of a new CEO as the business enters its latest phase of growth and innovation.
Effective from October 1, the Victorian operator has appointed Carol-Anne Nelson to the top job as Ventura embarks on a new era of growth and transformation.
She will be backed by a “refreshed and aligned” leadership team, with the company recently reaching gender parity at both the executive and board level to set an industry standard.
She succeeds outgoing CEO Andrew Cornwall, who moves to the role of senior adviser after 30 years spent at the Cornwall family’s business.
Carol-Anne Nelson has held executive roles at a range of state government departments, including as deputy secretary at Transport for
between 2014 and 2018.
She is already well known to Ventura and familiar with the business, having served as a non-executive director at the company since June 2024.
With a focus on productivity, sustainability and a customer centric approach, she is confident that Ventura will continue to break down barriers in the transport industry to meet Victoria’s growing transport needs.
“I am excited to take on the CEO role at Ventura, which has grown to become a leader in the Australian bus industry,” she says.
“Ventura’s commitment to safety, service and community engagement aligns strongly with my experience and values, and I look forward to continuing to grow the business for the benefit of Melbourne and Victoria.”
The new CEO has been welcomed by the Ventura team, including Ventura chairman Kevin Neo.
deliver on growth,” Neo says.
“We are delighted that an executive of Carol-Anne’s calibre has agreed to take on the role.”
With Ventura having been moving Victorians for more than a century, the operator carries 42 million passengers each year on 950 vehicles, obtaining a 33 per cent market share of Victorian public bus services.
The operator employs 1,800 local team members, with the workforce representing 59 countries.
Ventura has also committed to strengthening its workforce by investing in initiatives such as the Women at the Wheel program, with scholarships for women in trades having increased female representation in the workforce to 16.5 per cent.
Ventura has also developed its zero-emissions infrastructure by
Kinetic has been acquired by a US-based asset management firm, with another firm to retain its stake in the business
Just weeks after speculation first arose about its acquisition, Kinetic has confirmed a global firm will become a majority shareholder in the business.
Leading global alternative asset management firm TPG has agreed to acquire a 70 per cent equity interest in the business, marking an important step in Kinetic’s journey and leadership in decarbonising transport and supporting zero-emissions transport infrastructure.
As a major mass transit operator in Australasia and a 51 per cent owner of UK-based operation Go-Ahead Group, TPG is now able to expand upon its
20-year track record of investing in
Foresight Group will retain a 30 per regulatory approvals and is expected to
The major multi-modal transport operator will receive the landmark electric bus order as it plans for two big depots to accommodate the fleet
The operator who will receive 151 new electric buses in the Greater Sydney region has been unveiled as the business is set to add the models to its fleet.
After announcing in late August that it will order 151 new electric buses for Sydney, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) confirmed in September that Custom Denning and Volgren would be building the buses. Now, it’s been revealed that Australian integrated multi-modal transport operator Transit Systems will
step towards a more sustainable public transport future.
The latest investment lifts the number of new buses purchased since the March 2023 election to 921, according to TfNSW.
The 151 order surpasses the NSW government’s 50 per cent local manufacturing target.
Delivery will be staged across Transit System depots in Leichhardt and Kingsgrove, which are undergoing major upgrades to
accommodate the future fleet.
By 2028, TfNSW says approximately 1,700 electric buses are expected to be operating on Sydney’s roads, delivering tangible benefits for passengers and the environment.
According to Transit Systems NSW managing director Rino Matarazzo, this investment reflects a strong partnership between government, industry and the community.
“The scale of this order demonstrates the state government’s commitment to a sustainable transport future, while also supporting local jobs and Australian manufacturing,” Matarazzo says.
“For customers, it means more of the smooth, quiet and comfortable journeys they have already begun to experience on our existing electric fleet.
“For the community, it means cleaner air and significant progress in reducing emissions from public transport. Transit Systems is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.”
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The WA government is expanding its contactless payment trial to buses and trains, paving the way for a state-wide rollout by year’s end
Paying for public transport in Western Australia is set to get easier, with the state government expanding its contactless payment trial to include buses and trains for the first time.
Following the success of initial trials on Transperth ferries, more than 150 passengers will now test the use of debit and credit cards, smartphones, smart watches and wearable devices across the network. The move marks a major step toward a full rollout of contactless payment options before the end of 2025.
WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says the project is a milestone in the SmartRider Upgrade Project, which is modernising WA’s ticketing system.
“With the success of early testing on the ferry network, we’re now ready to expand pilot testing to both buses
and trains for the first time, which is a major milestone for the project,” Saffioti says.
“The project team will be closely monitoring the pilot across all public transport modes, and we remain on track to have these payment options available to the entire community before the end of the year.”
The four-week trial will test the reliability and convenience of new contactless card validators installed on buses, trains and ferries. If successful, passengers will be able to tap on and off using their preferred digital payment method, without needing a SmartRider card.
From November 3, the government also began rolling out Pay-By-Plate contactless payments for parking at Mandurah Line stations, replacing
existing cash-only systems. Around 100 upgraded Pay-By-Plate machines will be introduced network-wide by year’s end.
The SmartRider Upgrade Project includes replacing more than 4,000 validators across the public transport network, installing new SmartRider Hubs for topping up credit and upgrading parking machines to accept modern payment options.
Saffioti says these innovations will complement other reforms, such as the one-zone fare cap launching January 1, 2026.
“With new payment options and the introduction of one zone fare from January 1, we’re embarking on an incredibly exciting chapter for public transport in Western Australia,” she says.
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Bus is set to benefit from a new infrastructure project opening as all public transport will be made free on weekends during the summer
The Victorian government has announced a major new public transport payment initiative, revealing it will make PT services free every weekend this summer.
It coincides with the opening of the Metro Tunnel, which is set to be unveiled later this year in a limited capacity.
From the day the tunnel opens in early December, public transport in Victoria will be made free for everyone, everywhere, on every weekend until February 1.
That means every tram, every bus, every Melbourne train, every regional train, for every passenger – from the first service on each Saturday to the last service on each Sunday.
Premier Jacinta Allan and transport and infrastructure minister Gabrielle Williams met with Metro Tunnel
announce the free PT bonanza during the Metro Tunnel’s Summer Start.
“We’re saying thank you Victoria – with free PT every weekend this summer,” Allan says.
“Everyone, everywhere, every weekend, free until February 1. The biggest free transport bonanza in Victoria’s history.
Transport gates will open every Saturday and Sunday during the Summer Start period, which begins
from the opening of the Metro Tunnel in early December until the Big Switch to the new statewide timetable on February 1.
Passengers won’t require a valid ticket or Myki to travel on these days and they will not be required to tap on or off with their myki.
If a passenger accidentally taps on or off, they will not be charged for their travel. Some regional services will continue to require a reservation at zero cost, in line with existing requirements.
“The Summer Start is how we’re opening the tunnel safer, smoother and sooner,” Williams says.
“This is our way of saying thanks to everyone for their patience while we built the Metro Tunnel – and to celebrate this huge moment in the history of our state.”
The interchange closures form the latest part of the NT government’s bus safety plan that has seen a 20 per cent decrease in incidents
The Northern Territory government has announced it has closed two key bus interchanges in a bid to improve the safety and reliability of bus services.
Logistics and infrastructure minister
Bill Yan says the Darwin and Casuarina interchanges have been closed due to becoming hotspots for ongoing anti-social behaviour.
Instead, the interchanges will be replaced with bus stops.
“Passengers and drivers don’t often feel safe with large groups of people loitering around so we’re moving to smaller, decentralised stops to reduce that happening, shorten wait times, and increase community safety,” he says.
“It also helps our hard-working transit officers better monitor and control the flow of passengers,
especially during peak times.”
Casuarina passengers will now use existing bus stops on Trower Road, Scaturchio Street and Bradshaw Terrace.
Routes 1, 1h, 2, 24 and school buses will depart from the bus stop on Trower Road.
The Darwin bus interchange will continue as a bus stop and the interchange building including toilets will be closed. Departure locations will not change.
Yan says an update to the Palmerston Bus Interchange will be provided once a broader review has been undertaken.
“We know how busy the Palmerston interchange is given its connections to the Palmerston suburbs and rural areas and have a bit more to work to do making sure the changeover is
seamless,” he says.
This change is part of a raft of initiatives from the NT government as part of its Bus Safety Reform Strategy to reduce anti-social behaviour, improve safety and enhance service delivery.
This includes installing safety screens for every driver, closing bus interchanges, expanding CCTV at known hotspots, enhancing on-board duress alarms and direct radio links to Transit Officers, delivering the NT bus tracker app and improving driver safety by removing the need to carry cash.
Yan says the initiatives are getting results.
“We’ve seen a 20 per cent decrease in incidents compared to the same time last year which shows we’re making progress in our year of action, certainty and security,” he says.
People stepping out in front of a vehicle is a recurring type of accident in city traffic.
That’s why Volvo Buses has developed Collision Warning with City Brake. It’s a new chapter in active safety for city buses, designed in cooperation with research institutes and Transport for London, as a means to reduce bus traffic accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
How it works? The system detects a pedestrian in front of the bus and calculates the risk for an accident. Unless the driver brakes, the system instantly warns and applies a balanced brake force, protecting the pedestrian while minimising risk for standing passengers inside. Just another example of how we keep moving towards our vision of Zero Accidents.
Contact your Volvo Buses representative to find out more.
Volvo Buses
Ritchies and Zenobē are delivering one of New Zealand’s biggest electric bus rollouts, with 172 new vehicles and six charging depots across Auckland
Auckland is gearing up for one of the largest electric bus deployments in New Zealand’s history, with Ritchies and Zenobē partnering to deliver 172 new zero-emission buses and build six purpose-built charging depots across West and South Auckland.
The rollout, already underway, will unfold over the next nine months and increase Ritchies’ electric bus fleet more than fivefold. The first new depot opened on November 2, with the remaining facilities due for completion by August 2026.
Zenobē, a global leader in fleet electrification and battery solutions, is managing the design, construction and operation of the new depots and providing its Battery-as-a-Service
Below: The rollout will see 172 electric buses introduced
will finance, monitor and manage each vehicle’s battery lifecycle, ensuring long-term performance and reliability.
Procurement for the buses has begun, with Zenobē’s New Zealand team leading on-site delivery and integration. The company has previously worked with Ritchies on 11 electric Yutong E10 buses in Dunedin, and this latest partnership builds on that success to deliver cleaner, quieter transport for Auckland commuters.
“This is a defining moment for New Zealand’s clean-transport journey,” Zenobē country director for Australia and New Zealand Gareth Ridge says.
“Through this partnership with Ritchies, we’re not only deploying one
fleets but also investing in local capability and infrastructure to ensure this transition is successful, scalable and lasting.”
The project aligns with Auckland Transport’s zero-emissions goals and forms part of a broader national shift toward decarbonising the public transport network. By mid-2026, the new buses will be operating from the six depots, collectively reducing emissions, noise and operating costs across the network.
For Ritchies, the investment represents a major step in the company’s sustainability strategy and a strong signal of commitment to supporting New Zealand’s
From life member awards to leading discussions on the direction of safety, the BCA conference in Hamilton had it all
The New Zealand Bus and Coach Association (BCA) held its annual conference in Hamilton in mid-September, with attendee feedback showing the show was a success.
Feedback from attendees has been hugely positive with 97 per cent indicating they would recommend attendance to others.
The welcome function, courtesy of Sinolink, was held among the trade exhibition giving delegates the chance to catch up with industry colleagues, with an elegant backdrop of a string quartet and traditional Chinese dance.
The day program agenda covered everything from the ‘future direction of heavy vehicle safety’ to fatigue with Kiwi racing legend Greg Murphy and Dr Kat Aubrey, to Brad Olsen, a leading economist, profiling the bus and coach sector within the wider economic environment.
A panel of inbound tour operators spoke to international visitor trends,
Below: The BCA conference covered a range of topics for the industry. Image: BCA
and the expectations clients have from coach operators and fleet, and delegates laughed and cried as Cam Calkoen, born with cerebral palsy, spoke about leading an awesome life.
BCA, in conjunction with representatives from the Council of Trade Unions, Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency, also launched Keeping the Wheels Turning, a research report that identifies recruiting and retention
The White House has announced the various tariffs on bus and truck imports, citing “national security” as the motivation
The US government has announced the imposition of new tariffs on imported buses, heavy and medium duty trucks and truck parts.
In a continuation of the US leader’s use of economic sanctions to bolster local American industries and protect national security, Trump has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on the imports of medium and heavy-duty trucks and truck parts, including Class 3 to Class 8 vehicles such as large pick-up trucks, moving trucks, cargo trucks, dump trucks and tractors for eighteen-wheelers.
The measure also imposes a 10 per cent tariff on the import of buses,
including school buses, transit buses and motor coaches.
For truck models that don’t qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the tariff will apply to the full value of the vehicle, while for those qualifying the tariff will only be applied to the non-US content in the vehicle.
The tariff also applies to key parts, including engines, transmission, tyres and chassis.
Trump says the move is fortifying the country’s ability to manufacture medium and heavy-duty trucks and essential parts.
challenges in our industry and ways of addressing them.
The formal dinner sponsored by Alexander Dennis was a magical night with a great band and plenty of dancing. Before the music started, NZ transport minister Chris Bishop presented Life Member awards to Paul Snelgrove and Keven Snelgrove, recognising their contributions to the Bus and Coach Association and wider industry.
The life member awards come in the same year that Tranzit Group, New Zealand’s largest New Zealand owned passenger transport company, celebrates its centennial with the fourth generation now in the driver’s seat.
Next year’s conference will be in downtown Auckland at the Viaduct Event Centre over September 21-23. Visitors from Australia will be warmly welcomed.
If you want to know more, contact Andrea at andrea@bcanz.co.nz
The proclamation follows the Secretary of Commerce’s completion of a Section 232 investigation under the Act, which found that imports of medium and heavy-duty trucks, truck parts and buses threaten to impair the national security of the United States.
The president says trucks and buses of all kinds are indispensable to military readiness, military troop movements, disaster response and the continuity of American critical infrastructure and economic stability, moving over 70 per cent of the nation’s freight, including essential goods like food, fuel and medical supplies.
Through two stimulating days of discussions and the crowning of the industry’s national awards, BIC’s 2025 national conference in Perth had it all for Australia’s bus and coach sector
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) once again brought the entirety of Australia’s bus and coach industry together at its national conference. The 2025 edition saw Australia’s largest bus and coach industry event descend upon Crown in Perth, with the two day event centred around the theme of ‘unity, collaboration and harmonisation’.
The message was made clear by BIC executive director Varenya MohanRam on the opening morning.
“Fundamental to our strength is unity, as it’s only through a united front that bus and coach can advance from follower to leader in the national conversation,” he said.
The two-day program covered industry reform, safety, the latest on zero-emissions buses and associated infrastructure, industrial relations, workforce, finance and other up-tothe-minute issues impacting the sector.
Proceedings kicked off with the Volvo welcome reception on October 29, with Noongar Elder
Walter Macguire on stage the next morning to perform Welcome to Country, while BIC chair Anthony Hopkins also welcomed attendees to the conference. This opening session saw speakers immediately take a more pressing tone, calling on policy makers to come to the party and ensure the industry receives the regulatory help it needs to evolve.
Western Australian minister assisting the minister for transport Jessica Stojkovski highlighted the state’s latest developments, while National Heavy Vehicle Regulator CEO Nicole Rosie impressed the crowd with an in-depth look at the regulator’s changing focus on risk-based approaches. Outside of the bus talk, four time world champion boxer Danny Green had the crowd engaged and laughing throughout his keynote speech to wrap up the morning’s proceedings.
In the unity session, Mohan-Ram was back to provide an update from BIC on current and future affairs, before a panel involving QBIC
Below: Award winners included June Thretheway
executive director Jason O’Dwyer, TasBus general manager Luke Doyle, BusVic leader Peter Kavanagh, Bus SA executive director Craig Spurr, BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld and BusWA leader John Ditchburn had an earnest chat about the latest issues impacting their jurisdictions. A key takeaway was the power that unification has in all parts of the nation’s bus industry.
“We welcome more industry-wide projects coming in the future, as this inclusion is beneficial for all,” Threlkeld said.
In the afternoon, the health and safety session started with consultant John Lee chairing conversations on ways various parts of the industry can ensure safety. This ranged from workplace safety and risk discussions to mental health chats, covering a wide scope of what health means in the modern bus industry.
The final session on the opening day was about harmonisation, with BIC/APTIA national industrial relations manager Kirsten Jongsma opening
stage to call on governments and the industry to do more for associations and members of the sector. The night then transitioned to the announcement of BIC’s five national bus industry awards.
Coinciding with the association’s national industry conference’s first day, the gala dinner saw around 400 people attend. The five winners were crowned, starting with the national achiever of the year award.
The award went to June Thretheway from Transport for Brisbane, who also took home a Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) award earlier this year
Queensland based operator Premier Transport Group, with John King accepting the award on behalf of the operator. In the national environment and innovation award, the winner was Pete White, director of Bus Stop Sales, for his commitment to sustainable bus and coach models.
The highly anticipated national driver of the year award went to a Western Australian local, with Julie Morfitt from Buswest Mandurah taking home the top prize. Finally, the national youth of the year award went to Busways’ Drew Miante.
In the aftermath of the evening’s
The likes of EnergyAustralia’s Jack Kotlyar, KPMG’s Michael Gunner and Curtin University’s Professor Peta Ashworth all discussed future power and policy.
Following this, the collaboration session included the likes of Counsel House’s Kieren Ash, Piper Alderman’s Maria Capati, Pitcher Partner’s David Fennell and Trapeze Group’s David Eason talking about government contracts and tenders before delegates split into either a training and technology session or an innovation session in what was a busy two days for the industry.
Volvo Bus Australia’s zero-emissions focus has reached new heights with the recent launch of a new electric coach platform that is fully customisable to operator needs, Sean Mortell reports
It’s been four years since Volvo Bus Australia unveiled its first fully electric bus into the market. Back in September 2021, the launch of the Volvo BZL Electric was a virtual one, with members of Volvo’s global business and industry figures dialling in instead of flying to the brand’s Wacol headquarters in Brisbane.
Plenty has changed since then, with Volvo working to include its popular suite of safety systems to its first Australian electric bus model.
With customers jumping on board, including Western Australia’s Public Transport Association (PTA), who
was the very first recipient of the BZL Electric, Volvo’s electric focus was well and truly underway.
Now this building momentum is set to blossom, with Volvo recently unveiling the Volvo BZR Electric coach that is soon preparing to hit Australian shores.
“The Volvo BZR Electric has been purposefully engineered for the diverse needs of the Australian market, whether that’s school, charter or specialist operations,” Volvo Bus Australia general manager Mitch Peden told ABC
“Backed by Volvo’s global
expertise, operators can be confident it will deliver reliability, industry leading safety and high performance wherever it’s put to work.”
While the launch of the BZL Electric was all about Volvo’s zero-emissions technology development and battery capabilities, the incoming BZR model showcases a different side to Australia’s leading chassis supplier. Instead of devising a specific solution to suit a certain part of the coach market, Volvo has put in the extra yards to make the new platform both flexible and customisable for a range of customers across the country.
For Volvo Bus APAC director of product and industry bus Mark Fryer, this idea to highlight operator choice and adaptability on Volvo’s first electric coach model to reach Australian roads is a unique feature.
“It’s what makes the BZR Electric different to anything on the market in Australia currently,” he told ABC
“Part of that flexibility is about Volvo working closely with our customers to understand their business, their routes and their needs, to then design an option that is truly suited to them.”
From battery capacity and vehicle length, to air conditioning and seating layouts, the BZR Electric is Volvo Bus Australia’s most customisable platform to date. While at its highest battery capacity the coach is able to comfortably cover large journeys on a single charge, operators can choose to either focus on this full battery option or instead vary the batteries
involved depending on their length and configuration requirements. It also means Volvo’s target business partners for this latest platform strays from recent focuses. While the BZL Electric was all about urban low-floor routes, the BZR counterpart has the potential to become the ideal zero-emissions coach model for school, charter and other specialist coach sectors.
“The BZR Electric gives us the ability to cater to honestly, nearly all sectors within the market,” Fryer says.
“We’ve realised that we can’t just make this for one industry or market. Due to being so flexible and customisable, we can cater to current customers while welcoming new partners that we can support on their journey into zero emissions.”
Following Volvo’s global release of the BZR Electric ahead of Busworld Europe, the manufacturer announced
a potential driving range of up to 700km. In Australia, however, local road weight regulations currently limit the total allowable vehicle mass, meaning local configurations won’t reach this range for now. Volvo Group Australia is working closely with the authorities to have the weight limits increased for Australian roads.
Fryer says operators seeking higher onboard energy capacity can still opt for up to eight batteries, depending on their operational requirements.
Alternatively, for applications where passenger capacity takes priority, the BZR Electric’s flexible design allows for fewer batteries and additional seating. This configurability extends across the entire platform, including the choice of body.
Operators can select from a range of Volvo-approved bodybuilder partners to ensure the final vehicle is optimised for their business needs.
“This platform has been created to allow customers to pick and choose from each column that goes into building a coach. Whatever they want, we can make it work,” he says.
However, as much as Volvo is straying from its recent approach when it comes to the fully flexible nature of the new electric coach, the core value of safety is still present in the BZR Electric. The incoming Volvo model features the brand’s latest safety system, with the primary addition being the City Brake.
“The most exciting part of the new safety system is that we can now offer Advanced Emergency Braking on standee vehicles,” Fryer says.
“Historically no one in Australia can do this, while globally no one else is doing it the way that Volvo is. We’ve done lots of trials with Transport for London in the UK to create a new City Brake system that allows us to use Advanced Emergency Braking on these standee vehicles.”
Volvo’s third generation suite of advanced driver assistance systems also include collision warnings with both the Emergency and City Brake, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and front short range assist. Throw in lane change and keeping support, intelligent speed assist, driver alert support, side collision avoidance support and tyre pressure monitoring systems and the safety technology on offer is continuing to lead the way for Volvo.
On the electric bus safety side, Volvo’s full VASP 3 system is at the
forefront of the Swedish brand’s offerings. Incorporating the entire list of Volvo’s previous electric bus safety systems, the package is now able to be used on a BZR Electric that is powered by Volvo’s Group’s Cube battery. This same battery is used on Volvo electric trucks and construction equipment, bridging the gap between vehicle types and allowing decades of knowledge to be instilled on the coach product.
“We have full control over the cube battery, as it’s the same battery we use for all of our other products,” Fryer says.
“We can produce these in Sweden and assemble them, ensuring the batteries are sustainable and follow our recycling plans.”
Fully customisable, flexible platforms that feature the global brand’s very best safety and battery
options – it’s a comprehensive package for Australian operators in a variety of sectors. Whether it be parts commonality, easy workshop integration or leading choices that best suit customer needs, the BZR Electric platform will be ready in a fully bodied form by the third quarter of next year.
However, Peden reaffirms the chassis is available to order now, with existing partners encouraged to investigate the new electric coach platform to learn where they can integrate it into their current fleets. After four years ago launching its pioneering zero-emissions bus model, Volvo Bus Australia is now determined on offering a landmark customisable electric product that can revolutionise the coach markets across the country.
“Existing customers already equipped with Volvo tech-tool can continue using the same trusted system across both diesel and electric vehicles, ensuring seamless integration within their fleet,” Peden says.
“This consistency enables faster diagnostics and quicker resolution of issues, keeping buses on the road. Along with Volvo’s comprehensive training package, we’re providing operators and key partners with a smooth, confident transition to the BZR Electric platform.
“Its adaptability, proven performance and robust design make it just as capable in regional and mining applications as it is in urban environments.”
Reviewer Paul Aldridge spent a day in Sydney putting the new E7S, Yutong’s compact electric transit bus, through real routes to see how it performs
It has been just over a year since VDI Australia introduced the Yutong E7S to local operators at the 2024 National Bus and Coach Show. The brief was clear from day one. Deliver big-bus comfort and safety in a compact, fully electric package for the stop–start reality of city and community transport. What looked tidy and unassuming promised something more. But can a showstopper on the stand deliver in the real world?
Paul Aldridge took the E7S across the sort of Sydney streets and stops that make or break a compact electric bus. On paper it is a short wheelbase city runner. In the seat it feels bigger
than it looks, with a cabin that gives the driver room to breathe and passengers an easy path on and off. Nothing flashy, nothing trying too hard. A tidy, well-sorted tool that gets on with the job, and there is more to this bus than its modern simplicity of the exterior lets on. And with Yutong’s Link+ telematics running quietly in the background, Paul had numbers to check later against the feel from the seat.
The first impression is of a bus set up to reduce mental load. The dash sits low so the road stays the hero, the screens are where your eyes naturally fall and the switchgear lands under your fingers without a hunt. Materials
Above: Meet Yutong’s new E7S
feel honest rather than precious. The trims look ready for wet days and sandy shoes, panel gaps are neat and there are no stray rattles to spoil the calm. It is the kind of design that hides its homework. You notice it when a long shift passes without a sore shoulder or a buzz in your ear. Accessibility decides contracts in this space. The E7S is built to comply with Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act and you can tell within a couple of stops. The entry sits low, the kneel is decisive and the ramp deploys with ease. Priority seating is obvious, the wheelchair position secures properly, and contrast on rails and step edges
guessing. The floor is level where it which sounds basic until a rainy peak doorway, a smoother flow through the saloon, and a timetable that stops
The suspension tune sits on the urban side of the ledger. You still feel the sharp joins you would expect on coarse chip, but there is a calmness over humps and patchwork that keeps standing passengers upright and stops the seats from shimmying. Braking is progressive. Regeneration joins early, the friction brakes arrive late and the pedal map makes sense to drivers new to EVs. You do not get that last-metre lurch that has everyone grabbing for a pole. The result is a string of tidy stops and a cabin that never feels like it is bracing for the next squeeze.
Driver aids matter most in the first few metres off the kerb. Multi-Object here, watches the danger zone right should not be. Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) keeps an eye on the human and nudges when
In nose-to-tail traffic the MOIS tone joins the rhythm rather than breaking it, and DDAW stays in the background until a longer transfer tempts the mind
cameras filling in the blind corners, the package reads as a quiet safety
Electronic Rear View Mirrors take the big mirror boxes off the sides and replace them with small camera pods and in-cab screens. In rain and at dusk the picture stays clean and easy to read, and because the screens sit close to your forward line of sight the glance back to the road is quick and natural. It lowers the effort of kerb work and lane changes on a busy run without drawing attention to itself.
When the streets tighten up, the E7S makes its case. The steering is light without feeling vague, so laneways and shopping strips do not raise your heart rate, and depot turns stop being a three-point performance. Yutong quotes a turning diameter around 17 metres, which feels honest. The bus rotates cleanly without the last-minute shuffle that can make a tight U-turn feel like theatre. It inspires the sort of confidence that lets you keep the route flowing rather than planning every stop three moves ahead.
Energy use will swing with hills and heat like any electric bus, but the
calibration clearly favours stop–start work over interurban blasts. Rolling off at low speed with a touch of regen, easing back into the pack and settling again at the next stop all feel natural. That is where this bus belongs, and that is where it behaves at its best.
The comfort is the quiet kind. Seat bases have enough length to support taller legs, backrests hold shape across the shoulders, and the fabric stays grippy when the mercury climbs. Headroom is generous, which taller passengers will notice at a cambered stop. The saloon lighting is even rather than theatrical, and the window line gives a clean view
out without glare lines cutting across faces. The climate settles the cabin and stays there without gusts at face level. On warm days it drifts into the background, which is the nicest thing you can say about air-conditioning on a bus.
From the wheel, the driving position lines up square so weight is off the base and your arms do not work across your body all day. The wheel has the right rake and reach to get shoulders relaxed. Pedal placement is sensible, so you are not feathering with an ankle twist. The screens live where your eyes naturally return, and the camera views are clear without stealing attention from the road. None of this needs a lecture to hand over. You could put a mixedexperience driver pool in this and not
spend half your week explaining what does what.
Noise is hushed at city speeds. On coarse surfaces the tyres become the loudest part of the day, as expected, but the body stays free of the drumming that can make a compact bus feel tinny. Doors settle against their seals without a creak. Trims do not buzz. It adds up to a sense of solidity that takes the edge off long shifts and keeps the cabin feeling composed when the route is busy. Specs matter, but they matter most when they show up on the road. Across a full day the compact length and short wheelbase translated into
Above:
The E7S has an operational range of around 300-350kms per full charge
production. Battery and charging sat where you would expect for the class, with no friction at the depot. Axle ratings and gross vehicle mass leave headroom for community transport fit-outs without tipping the balance. The whole thing reads as a coherent package rather than a parts list.
Telematics turn ‘feel’ into proof. With Yutong’s Link+ running in the background of this compact bus, you stop debating hunches and start looking at trip data. On our day out with the E7S the numbers landed where you’d expect for city duty; more useful than the kWh/ km headline is how Link+ breaks it down by route and duty cycle. You see where dwell stretches, where regen is doing the heavy lifting and where a quick top-up at a natural break keeps the roster flexible. It’s the difference between a good shift and a repeatable one.
If your scorecard leans on accessibility, dwell time and predictable low-speed control, the E7S lines up neatly with that brief. It meets DDA requirements in ways passengers notice for the right reasons. The assistance systems help, then keep quiet. The steering, suspension tune and cabin comfort take the edge off long days without asking for attention. And in the tight stuff it is calm rather than clever for its
Below:
rewards routine done well, this is a bus
to shape the future of public transport in Australia. Guided by strong Company Values and ESG principles, the manufacturer isn’t just building buses, but it’s also helping cities transition to cleaner, quieter and more sustainable mobility.
In 2025 alone, the bodybuilder will produce nearly 300 electric bus bodies, and by the end of 2026, it will have built and delivered an impressive 630 zero-emission buses operating across Australia, including two hydrogen-powered models. That milestone reflects its position as Australia’s market leader in zero-emission bus solutions.
Volgren’s approach to the Zero Emission Bus Transition has been to focus on what it does best, its core business – design and build, high-quality, reliable bus bodies.
“Our success is built on local expertise, adaptability, flexibility and collaboration. Over the decades, we built strong and sustainable
battery technology,” Volgren CCO Yuri Tessari told ABC
“Volgren’s vision is to continue to be the best and most reliable bus body manufacturer in Australia –and by partnering with the global leaders in the ZEB sector, we give our customers a product that combines legacy, global experience and a tested and proven technology, not only in Australia, but in hundreds of counties.”
chassis, battery electric and hydrogen platforms, including Volvo, BYD, Yutong, Scania, Wrightbus and King Long, giving operators choice and confidence in the transition to cleaner fleets.
Volgren’s participation in the ZEB transition continues to grow nationwide, with strong demand for zero-emission buses in every major state. Its long-term relationships with operators and governments have helped accelerate the shift to cleaner,
more sustainable public transport across the country.
Across Victoria, where Volgren’s journey began back in 2019 with its first ZEB, it has continued to deliver electric buses for government and private fleets, including regional Victoria, helping the state move closer to its net-zero public transport goals. The program pairs proven battery technology with Volgren’s local body architecture to streamline commissioning, maintenance and whole-of-life support.
regional jobs and skills development, with production continuing to meet growing demand.
To accommodate growing orders and reinforce our commitment to zero-emission buses, the bodybuilder has also now opened a new site in South Australia and, later this year it will commission a new Victorian after-sales facility alongside an upgraded New South Wales after-sales site in 2026.
we have delivered more than 1,590 hours of technical training, including technicians certified to e-bus safety and commissioning standards, and structured cross-training to transition teams from diesel to electric builds.
In Western Australia, its fully converted Malaga facility is now a dedicated electric bus manufacturing hub – supporting the Public Transport Authority’s rollout of locally built zero-emission buses and adding new skilled jobs in the process.
In South Australia, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) partnered with Volgren to build 95 battery-electric buses. This builds on the state’s hybrid pathway – leveraging a common body architecture and familiar maintenance routines to move from low- to zero-emission operation with minimal disruption. Staged deliveries, depot readiness and technician training are sequenced to keep vehicles reliable from day one.
In Queensland, Volgren has expanded its footprint through new orders and repeat business from key operators, including the introduction of locally built electric buses – with close to 50 already built – that support
“Within this national program, we have made major improvements in all our facilities. All three Volgren’s manufacturing sites have being building ZEBs due significant investment and training over the past years,” Tessari says.
“The same applies for Volgren’s five dedicated service facilities across Australia, ensuring product support, repair and training. To date,
“Our Co-Bolt® aluminium body system continues to be refined –reducing vehicle mass by around 350kg per bus – improving energy efficiency and performance and enabling recyclability by design. Its architecture supports high material recovery at up to 76 per cent recyclability at the system level.”
Tessari says sustainability is embedded in Volgren’s operations; each bus eliminates 61.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The manufacturer designs for circularity: end-of-life buses are repurposed wherever possible to reduce landfill and return materials to secondary use. The result is lighter, more efficient, easier-to-maintain buses that benefit operators, passengers and communities.
Looking ahead, Volgren will introduce two articulated electric bus variants in 2026 while advancing a high-floor, battery-electric school and charter bus.
“Our commitment is clear – to build reliable, service-ready zero-emission buses in Australia, stand behind them with training, parts and data-driven support and keep advancing sustainability, innovation and local jobs with every program we deliver,” Tessari says.
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Decades after his parents fled war-torn Cambodia and raised a family in Australia, Heroly Chour, through Busable, is helping bus operators deliver safer, smarter and more connected bus transport
he night is warm and humid, the air thick with despair. A man stands in front of an open space the size of a football field. As he remains frozen, the bullets whizzing past him, he hears soldiers shouting. The mine field in front of him is barely lit by the moon, but there’s enough to illuminate the many who failed to make it across.
He looks towards the sky and prays, taking his wife’s hand, a deep breath and then briefly closing his eyes before they move, running straight through the mine fields, leaving behind everything and everyone they once loved.
The year was 1979, four years after the Khmer Rouge took power over Cambodia. Led by Pol Pot, the regime was responsible for the death of approximately one quarter of the nation’s population. This couple would be one of the lucky ones to make it through the mine fields safely before heading to bordering refugee camps and then being accepted into Australia.
As they arrived in Sydney in 1980 in the wake of the war’s end, other family and friends would re-unite in Australia as the couple settled and had six kids. Not one to look back, they worked to provide a living for their children before saving enough money to buy farmland on the outskirts of Western Sydney. It was in these humble and grateful beginnings that Heroly Chour, one of the six children of the Cambodian couple, developed an appreciation for public transport that lasts to this day.
“If it wasn’t for Australia and the public buses, my parents wouldn’t have been able to rebuild their lives,” Chour told ABC
“Buses are more than just transport, they’re lifelines.
“Miraculously, my parents made it through that mine field and sought safe refuge in nearby Thailand. After camping there for six months, the opportunity arose to call Australia home, so my parents jumped on the next plane out with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
“We didn’t have much growing
Above: Chour (middle) with his parents on a bus, symbolic of transport’s importance to their second chance in life
Below: Busable’s technology unifies bus operations seamlessly
up. I remember riding the local bus service in South West Sydney with Mum and Dad. It was how they went to school to learn English, how Dad got to his job, how Mum put food on the table, how we all connected with our community.”
This unique upbringing provided Chour with one key belief – that affordable, safe and reliable transport is a human right. Despite this, the ‘dot com bust’ meant that, when Chour started his career 20 years ago as a computer engineer out of university,
he took whatever jobs he could find.
From working as a receptionist at a law firm to plying his trade at Optus, Commonwealth Bank Australia and other software companies, these gave Chour opportunities, but they didn’t fulfill him.
It was only when he decided to return to his roots that he found his career home.
“I felt something was missing, and it all changed when a friend called me asking if I wanted to join Transport for NSW,” he says.
“I said yes and I’ve never looked back.”
While at Transport for NSW, where Chour worked on the state’s real-time bus tracking and operational systems supporting thousands of vehicles, he saw firsthand the vital role public transport plays in connecting people and strengthening communities. During this time, he met Graham Webber while collaborating on the same project. The two quickly discovered a shared passion for using technology to improve the way bus services are managed and delivered. That partnership eventually led to the creation of Busable – a purpose-built platform engineered from the ground up to modernise and unify every aspect of bus operations into one intelligent system.
“I realised that regional bus operators were under-served with software solutions – it was all fragmented, expensive, aging or severely unsupported,” he says.
“I quit TfNSW and I called Graham. We decided to take the plunge and dedicate our extensive technical expertise to resolving some of the biggest pain points bus operators faced so they could better serve their communities.”
In the years since, Busable has emerged as a leading provider of groundbreaking bus transport software. Driven by a mission to help bus operators deliver safe, reliable and equitable services through one modern unified platform, the bus management software provider is trusted by governments, leading bus operators and schools to offer an all-in-one software platform that improves service reliability,
operational excellence and reduces compliance risks and staff stress.
“Busable brings every part of an operator’s business together,” Chour explains.
“It starts with planning, from timetables and charter bookings to passenger information and payments, then flows seamlessly through scheduling, rostering and dispatch. Drivers get real-time navigation and communication tools, while operations teams gain instant visibility of service performance, incidents and regulatory compliance.
“Behind the scenes, Busable integrates directly with accounting and payroll systems like Xero, automates contract KPI reporting and provides tools to help operators meet National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) requirements with confidence. It’s one connected platform that gives operators control, confidence and time back in their day.”
This all-in-one solution has quickly seen Busable work with a variety of governments, bus operators and schools, from Transport for NSW to Picton Buslines, Busabout Wagga Wagga, Trinity Lutheran College and the Buslines Group. Alongside streamlining bus operations, Busable has strengthened its platform through deep integration with leading technology partners including TikPay for open loop account based ticketing, QRoutes for school route optimisation, Impulse Wireless for on-bus telematics and communications, True North Advisory and Xero for financial and payroll systems and Transport for NSW for operational transport data, with more partnerships on the way.
“Together with our partners Impulse Wireless and TikPay, we’re introducing modern cashless ticketing for the Wollondilly community,” Chour says.
“It’s a major step toward fully connected operations, helping progressive operators like Picton Buslines link ticketing with its planning, scheduling and fleet data to deliver a seamless passenger experience.”
The solutions have seen operators improve overall efficiency, compliance and reduce total risks in their business. This impact has left the likes of Ogdens Coaches’ general manager Jeff Neill labelling Busable a “game changer in all parts” of its “planning and compliance” for large contract bus operations, while Picton Buslines is also raving about the company’s solutions.
“Busable is a must have for any regional school bus operator,” Picton Buslines managing director Andrew Ferris says.
“It has enabled us to optimise our operations and deliver a better user experience for our customers.”
For Chour, this is why Busable was created. Decades after his parents fled Cambodia, leading to him experiencing the joys of transport, he’s now dedicated to making buses better for all, from the depot staff to the drivers and passengers, regardless of their background or story.
“Australia means so much to my family, it took us in and gave us a second chance in life,” he says.
“I want everyone in the industry to know that the work that we do is giving people who need it most a second chance, and that’s the beauty of buses.”
Recent documents tabled in Victorian Parliament have revealed a lack of funding and appetite for reform when it comes to bus. Sean Mortell investigates the state’s attitude on buses as community groups begin to call for network change
You don’t notice it until you get out of Melbourne’s CBD. For me, it hit home a couple of years ago when I was in the middle of Brisbane for the first time in years. As the usual throng of inner-city workers began to flock from the many buildings and head towards the streets, the hissing and clanging of bus doors opening and closing filled the humid air every few seconds. You couldn’t go 10 seconds without seeing a bus pulling down the packed streets and taking on more passengers.
As a Melburnian born-and-bred, it’s a subtly different reality to the city experiences I was used to. In Victoria’s capital, the rumble of diesel-powered buses is rarely heard. Instead, buses are mainly reserved for the surrounding suburbs, and the CBD sounds are dominated by the clinging bells and electric cracks of the city’s infamous tram network. Victoria’s preference for rail over bus as the leading public transport mode may initially seem subtle, but it has recently become abundantly clear. It started earlier this year
Above: How high a priority is bus in Victoria? Image: Benjamin Crone/ stock.adobe.com
when, at the Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand’s (PTAANZ) ‘Moving People, Transforming Cities’ symposium in Melbourne, Victorian transport minister Gabrielle Williams labelled bus as the “poor cousin” in the state’s public transport network.
“Buses have always been the poor cousin in our public transport network, particularly when compared to trams, and it’s not fair,” she said.
“They’re much loved and well utilised in other jurisdictions in Australia, but in the broader Victorian
community, people don’t feel like bus services meet their needs.”
It follows in the footsteps of former Department of Transport and Planning secretary Paul Younis, who in 2019 admitted “buses have the potential to carry as many people
Is this just the perception of the general public that reside in the city housing the largest tram network in the world, or is it a view that has been nurtured by the state government?
ABC has already extensively documented the state government’s decision to cease ordering new buses from late last year, with operators and suppliers left in the lurch until a $50 million, 96 vehicle bus procurement funding program was agreed upon during the final days of the financial year.
Now, a year after Victorian politicians called on the state government to release details around efforts to reform bus networks, documents have been tabled that paint a picture of a state that is reinforcing the idea that bus is the “poor cousin” in its greater transport scheme.
In mid-September, documents tabled in Victorian Parliament revealed that the state government had been underinvesting on metropolitan bus services relative to other Australian cities. As part of the tabling of Victoria’s Bus Network Plan
Review, an internal Department of Transport and Planning National Bus Investment Benchmarking discussion paper from May 2022 reported that the state spent $112 per year per capita on urban bus services, lower than the likes of Western Australia ($263), Queensland ($200), New South Wales ($171) and South Australia ($152).
Weeks later, further documents revealed that the Department of Transport and Planning had recommended significant bus reform in 2023. The plans included a new bus network with buses running every 10 minutes on a 1.6km grid throughout the city, with supplementary local
Below: Current transport funding is going to large infrastructure projects. Image: Benjamin Crone/ stock.adobe.com
routes supporting this beating heart of buses. The recommendations aligned with Melbourne University research supporting the expansion of bus routes in Melbourne’s CBD to create a fast, frequent and reliable service that connects suburban residents to train lines.
Buried in around 2,000 pages of material related to the bus plan review handed down by the state government, the documents reveal that the state Cabinet rejected this transformational bus reform in favour of funding ‘Big Build’ plans, such as the current Suburban Rail Loop and Metro Tunnel – both rail-based infrastructure projects.
For advocacy groups like Sustainable Cities, which is part of Friends of the Earth, these revelations are a particular slap in the face for communities in Melbourne’s western suburbs that have very little access to public transport, whether it be rail or bus. The group says these local communities have been angry for years over a lack of action on the state government’s bus plans that were first touted in 2021 by the then public transport minister Ben Carroll with the promise of restructuring and simplifying bus services.
Local bus activist Sendhill
the answer. If their own department is putting forward the solution, why is Victorian Labor rejecting the bus plan?”
The many documents released also discuss the substantial investment placed into research benefits, including the impact of reform on community safety and amenity, women’s safety and benefits to disabled Victorians. Department research also indicated most Melburnians would be willing to walk a little further for a more frequent and direct service.
These ideas were shared by the transport minister at the PTAANZ
waiting for the network they were promised while other big build projects pass them by.”
In response, a Victorian government spokesperson told ABC it has completed a range of bus focused reform and projects instead in recent years.
“We have consistently increased the bus operating budget, investing more than $892 million in new and upgraded bus services which has seen nearly 23,000 additional bus services added to our network,” the spokesperson says.
It pointed to a timeline starting with
It also pointed to the recent budget where the government invested more than $162 million in new and improved bus services, following $180 million of investments in the 2024 budget.
The spokesperson also pointed to the Eastern Freeway and North East Link works, as well as the Eastern Busway project, as proof of its focus on bus in Melbourne, but didn’t mention any projects in the western suburbs, where advocacy groups are calling for more services.
“We know how important buses are for our network which is why we’re
506 bus routes around the city. This follows the movement last year to make route 800 in Dandenong a seven-day service with more runs –something that already is increasing passenger uptake.
“The success of the Route 800 seven day upgrade in Dandenong shows that people will use buses if more service all week is provided,” Fix Dandy Buses convenor Peter Parker told ABC
“Particular high priorities in Melbourne’s south-east include weekend frequency and operating hours uplifts on main road routes like
Roper has seen the impact of Melbourne’s starved bus network firsthand, catching the 606 bus to work. Often, services are late, overcrowded or cancelled without warning. It’s become “disheartening” for Roper to see people waiting in wild weather for buses that never come.
“It’s obvious that buses aren’t a main priority in Melbourne’s transport network – discussions focus on trains and trams, but buses connect the gaps between them. This needs to change,” Roper says.
“I want more frequent and reliable services for route 606. More broadly, I hope this campaign shows how vital buses are to keeping our suburbs connected and accessible.”
The main areas to receive any recent boosts have been north of these movements, with 641 extra services added across eight major bus routes in suburbs like Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Kalkallo and Roxburgh Park in October. A further 140 services were added to a vital local bus route connecting Craigieburn and Mernda in the north.
The state government’s recent bus measures have been more focused on ticketing and cost of living, with public transport to be made free for all on every weekend this summer, for children under 18 from next year and for passengers using the Gippsland line and related buses in November.
But is this enough, and what does the future of public transport look like in Victoria? Will the state government listen to these advocacy groups and fund services out west, in the east and down south? Or will buses continue to remain the “poor cousin”, instead leaving the hissing of the bus door opening as a sound to be heard outside of Melbourne’s CBD?
“The state government needs to invest in more frequent, reliable and modern bus services,” Roper says.
“Better buses mean fewer cars, less congestion and a more connected community. It’s time to stop treating buses as an afterthought and start seeing them as a key part of Melbourne’s future.”
Just over a decade ago, transportme was founded within the bus industry. Now, the tech company is thriving through its array of transport solutions
When transportme was founded in 2013, the goal was simple. The business was founded to give regional and rural bus operators the same smart, connected technology that city operators had long enjoyed.
More than a decade later, that vision has transformed into one of Australia’s leading transport management platforms, connecting thousands of vehicles, operators, drivers and passengers across the country through one powerful ecosystem.
At the core of this success and expansion, and what is separating transportme from all other solutions, is its focus.
“Unlike other businesses, transportme isn’t a tech company pushing into the industry, in fact quite the opposite,” transportme founder Nigel Tooth told ABC
“Instead, it’s been developed from within the industry, built by bus operators for operators.”
Today, the Australian owned and operated transportme provides a fully integrated, cloud-based transit management ecosystem that combines ticketing, tracking, compliance, communications and operations and fleet into a single seamless platform. From school buses in regional towns to major public transport networks, transportme is empowering operators and governments with the data, tools and insights needed to run efficient, safe and connected fleets.
What began as a small regional start-up has become a trusted technology partner to operators of all sizes. Nowadays, transportme supports over 150 clients and more
than 3,000 vehicles globally. The platform is trusted by operators, school and government agencies, helping all stakeholders meet compliance, reporting, safety and ticketing obligations effortlessly.
“With deployments that span from remote school routes to large regional transport networks, transportme is out to prove that innovation doesn’t have to come at the expense of simplicity,” Tooth says.
“Its technology is designed to be intuitive for drivers, accessible for passengers and powerful for operators, all while being fully compliant with ever changing government transport frameworks.”
At the heart of transportme’s offering is its advanced telematics and tracking system, giving operators complete visibility of their fleets in real time. Using GPS and cloud-based analytics, operators can monitor location, speed, route adherence and on-time performance with pinpoint accuracy.
This data doesn’t just stay in the depot – it’s shared intelligently across the ecosystem. Through the transportme Passenger App, travellers can view real-time bus locations, estimated arrival times and service notifications, enhancing reliability and confidence for every passenger journey.
For operators and governments, the data captured feeds directly into powerful analytics and automated reporting dashboards. Tooth says these insights help identify inefficiencies, monitor compliance and optimise route planning.
He says transportme’s on-time running reports and performance analytics are particularly valued by
transport authorities looking for transparency and accuracy in service delivery.
“It’s technology that turns information into action,” he says.
“It’s improving decision-making for operators and delivering a smoother, smarter experience for passengers.”
He says transportme’s ticketing capabilities are as versatile as the operators who use them. The platform supports cash, cashless, account-based smartcard and open loop EMV ticketing options – giving passengers flexibility while meeting the evolving requirements of public transport agencies.
Through long-standing partnerships with payment delivery partners, transportme offers a robust and compliant open loop ticketing solution that enables passengers to tap on and off using credit or debit cards. Whether it’s driver-assisted sales or fully automated contactless travel, the system adapts seamlessly to operator needs.
This flexibility ensures operators can serve every type of passenger, from school students and concession travellers to tourists and commuters, without compromising accuracy or convenience.
“The ticketing data integrates directly into transportme’s control hub, ensuring fare collection, reconciliation and reporting are automated and compliant,” Tooth says.
“For governments and auditors, this means end-to-end transparency and assurance that every trip is recorded and verified.”
Beyond ticketing and telematics, transportme offers a comprehensive fleet management module designed
to keep vehicles operating safely and efficiently. Operators can log, schedule and track all maintenance activities within the same platform that manages their daily services.
From routine inspections to repairs and compliance checks, every maintenance task is recorded in transportme’s cloud-based system, ensuring no vehicle ever misses a required service. The platform’s reminders and reporting tools help operators stay proactive to reduce downtime and extend asset life.
This all-in-one approach removes the need for multiple systems or spreadsheets. Instead, operators have a complete digital record of every vehicle’s lifecycle, accessible anytime, anywhere.
Tooth says safety has always been one of transportme’s core pillars. The company’s technology supports both driver compliance and passenger safety, making it a trusted partner in sectors ranging from education to mining and public transport.
“For drivers, transportme helps ensure fatigue management, compliance checks and reporting
are handled systematically through digital tools and alerts,” he says.
“For passengers, safety is enhanced through the Passenger App, which provides live tracking, service notifications and updates that keep communities informed and reassured.”
One of transportme’s most recognised safety innovations is its Clear of Bus Check solution – a critical safeguard that ensures no passenger, especially children, is left behind on a vehicle. Widely used across school bus operations nationwide, the Clear of Bus Check is also being adopted in other industries such as mining, shuttle transport and workforce mobility.
The transportme ecosystem is built around three core components, including the control hub (a cloud-based platform providing full network control), the driver console unit (an in-tablet device managing ticketing, navigation, communication and compliance) and the passenger application mobile app connecting travellers to live service information,
safety notifications and digital ticketing.
“Together, these components form a seamless and fully integrated transit ecosystem – connecting businesses, people and passengers,” Tooth says.
“Within this ecosystem, transportme brings together every element of modern transport management: ticketing, tracking, compliance, communications, operations and fleet. This integration not only improves day-to-day efficiency but also future-proofs operators against the evolving requirements of government transport frameworks.”
The transportme platform combines smart technology to a connected ecosystem, ensuring cost optimization and efficiency as well as safety and security.
The transportme platform is built on four key pillars that define every product, partnership, and innovation: These pillars guide the company’s innovation roadmap and reinforce its commitment to quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.
With government-backed transitions to open loop ticketing and growing demand for integrated mobility solutions, transportme is positioned at the forefront of Australia’s next generation of transport technology.
Recent deployments such as the Transport for NSW Contactless Ticketing rollout utilising the transportme solution, and its work with Queensland’s Translink networks and continued support throughout the remaining states as well as recent interest from global resellers and partners, highlight how adaptable and scalable the platform is, whether supporting large public contracts or small regional operators.
“As transportme continues to expand its footprint, one thing remains constant: its mission to make transit technology seamless for everyone – operators, governments and passengers alike,” Tooth says.
“Because when transport systems are connected, data-driven and safe, everyone’s journey becomes simpler. And that’s what seamless transit technology is all about.”
Fthere. A bunch of data points from the control centre when pulling back into a depot. Consat Telematics is reshaping that view, proving that intelligent data can do much more than track vehicles. The company’s focus is on “value adds” – additional layers within its bus telematics systems that make operations faster, safer and more accessible for passengers.
As the head of Consat Telematics’ Asia-Pacific market unit, Lachlan Mackay says growth in the region is being driven by operators who need reliable, proven systems that can be deployed quickly across large fleets.
“We know it’s difficult to roll out complex systems at scale, but we have a track record of doing it faster than anyone else in the region,” he told
One of those value-added services is Consat Telematics’ rail replacement solution, developed for situations when buses temporarily substitute for train services during track upgrades or rail disruptions.
“Rail replacement typically involves multiple operators lending vehicles, so fitting hardware isn’t practical,” Mackay explains.
“Our app-based system lets the lead contractor see every bus in real time, who’s driving, what trip they’re on and whether services are running on schedule.”
It provides instant visibility without permanent installation costs, giving operators accurate reports for transport authorities and reducing administrative strain.
Another focus area of Consat Telematics’ intelligent public transportation solution is accessibility. The telematics platform includes a
to improve on-board displays.
“We worked with one of our support staff, who’s legally blind, to refine font choices and colour contrasts,” Mackay says.
“It’s about making information easier for everyone to see.”
Consat Telematics’ Webdisplay system is another standout part of its solution portfolio. At Melbourne Airport, it provides real-time service updates on existing public display infrastructure.
“Passengers can instantly see how long until their bus arrives and how full it is,” Mackay says.
“It reduces anxiety and the number of questions staff have to answer.”
For operators, it’s a cost-effective upgrade that can be integrated into current equipment.
The same flexibility underpins Consat’s on-demand transport capability, which allows operators to run services only where and when required.
“Our single platform supports both scheduled and demand-responsive operations,” Mackay says.
“Requests come in through our booking app or third-party systems, and our algorithms determine what
service is needed and when.”
These data insights, he adds, are becoming the heart of bus management systems, crucial to the efficient and effective running of growing transport fleets.
“Data is king; it helps operators understand passenger trends, vehicle efficiency and safety,” Mackay says.
“Passengers now expect real-time updates and even want to know how full a vehicle is before boarding.”
Looking forward, Mackay says the next evolution for the industry lies in integrating telematics with zero-emission fleets – something that Consat Telematics is already doing.
“Our system already monitors and controls charging infrastructure alongside bus operations,” he says.
“Passengers love electric vehicles, they’re quiet, smooth and sustainable, and we’re helping operators manage that transition efficiently.”
For Mackay, the focus is clear: keep building smarter systems that genuinely make a difference.
“It’s about giving operators the tools to deliver better services while passengers enjoy a more informed, accessible journey,” he says.
As a major global player in vehicle technology, ZF’s very own fleet management system is revolutionising bus and coach operations in Australasia
The idea of fleet management in the bus and coach industry has shifted rapidly in recent years. Once just treated as a luxury piece of technology that could optimise routes or monitor driver behaviour, telematics and fleet management systems have evolved to take a wider and more holistic approach for bus fleets.
It’s a change that has seen more innovative companies enter the industry and offer clever ways of managing bus and coach fleets. As the global sales and operations leader for one of these growing bus technology providers in ZF Bus Connect, Gerrie Geeraerts has noticed the market opening its horizons to the latest fleet management technology in recent years.
“There’s currently an increased emphasis on vehicle health and sustainability,” Geeraerts says.
“Modern fleet management solutions now provide data for
proactive maintenance to maximise uptime and reduce maintenance time and costs.
“With the shift toward greener operations, they also integrate zero-emission strategies, offering insights into battery health, range and charging to support sustainability goals.”
This entire holistic approach summarises ZF’s very own offering to the local bus and coach market, ZF Bus Connect. Back in 2021, the German-based technology manufacturing company unveiled its latest fleet management tool to connect bus fleets around the globe.
The advanced fleet management system has since allowed public transport and private bus operators to enhance and improve the safety, efficiency and performance of their fleets through accessing real vehicle data. With the likes of geofencing, live data evaluation and predictive remote detection of any issues, ZF Bus Connect has quickly become a
one-stop shop for operators around the world wanting to stay in tune with their bus fleets.
“Our digital strategy revolves around digitising and connecting the entire ecosystem surrounding the bus, enabling a more transparent, faster and proactive approach to fleet management and maintenance,” Geeraerts says.
“Our vision is to provide fleet operators, workshop and OEMs with a suite of digital tools that maximise uptime, streamline operations and facilitate better decision-making.”
On the safety side, ZF’s latest updates to the Bus Connect platform has sharpened the system’s geofencing and driver monitoring capabilities to ensure any dangerous bus driving situations are detected immediately. When it comes to efficiency, live data evaluation on a per-bus basis has allowed route optimisation and streamlined fuel consumption. With the ability to also remotely predict and detect any
signs of damage or wear and tear, customer fleets have also enhanced their uptime.
ZF Bus Connect was developed with both zero-emissions and diesel city buses and coaches in mind, with the evolving needs of operators and OEMs leading to ZF introducing more new features that maximise the uptime and minimise downtime of a variety of fleets.
“One of the key additions is the proactive vehicle health check. This system continuously monitors critical components of the bus, allowing operators to detect potential issues early on and take timely action, significantly reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns,” Geeraerts says.
“We’ve also added remote vehicle connection, enabling technicians to resolve certain issues remotely, by linking their diagnostic tools to a bus without a workshop visit. This reduces downtime and keeps vehicles on the road longer.”
While the fleet management system is used by global public transport customers such as Turkey’s Karsan and VBL in Switzerland, Custom Denning is a major customer in Australia.
ZF application engineer Jason Moses has been heavily involved in the installations and technical support for fleet operators and bus manufacturers such as Custom Denning.
“The unique advantage that ZF has with its Bus Connect platform is its wider range of technology currently
installed on Australian buses and coaches,” he says.
Out of the more than 10,000 active units on the platform worldwide, Custom Denning, a bus OEM, is leveraging the platform’s connectivity with existing ZF parts on chassis and bodies.
“ZF Bus Connect stands out by integrating unique vehicle data from ZF components, such as the ZF EcoLife transmission,” Moses says.
“This data is invaluable in supporting predictive maintenance strategies, enabling operators to make informed, data-driven decisions that accelerate the maintenance process, enhance vehicle uptime and improve passenger safety.
“A similar development for ZF AxTrax for electric buses will be finished soon as well, which will provide even deeper insights into vehicle performance.”
This combined capability allows ZF Bus Connect to become an all-in-one package that uses one system to
making transport more connected and accessible for all
cover three areas, spanning on-board units in the vehicle and the cloud to the web-based portal for data analytics. When opting to use ZF Bus Connect, operators get the choice of buying the total solution as a package or connecting to the cloud solution with their own compatible on-board unit and accessing information via the portal as a third-party solution.
Looking forward, the aim for ZF is to continue evolving Bus Connect into a more versatile platform by integrating data from external systems and offering Platform-as-a-Service options. This will in turn provide more flexibility for customers to either integrate ZF Bus Connect data into their own systems or leverage external data within the platform to improve the operator’s overall efficiency and visibility.
Considering how quickly the fleet management market has evolved in recent years, Moses is ensuring ZF will remain at the forefront of inevitable further change as technology continues to evolve in the local bus industry.
“Looking ahead, we are about to launch a new module for remote battery analysis,” Moses says.
“It will provide key insights into battery health and status, with automated trend detection and alerts to flag performance or safety risks early, helping operators extend battery life and prevent unexpected failures.”
Below:
The BusConnect platform is a completely integrated system for operators to enjoy
For more information on ZF Bus Connect, please visit zfbusconnect.com
FieldLock’s new bus seatbelt alert system is turning safety from a rule into a reflex for the next generation of passengers
In Australia’s bus and coach industry, technology has long focused on vehicle performance and fleet efficiency. Extracting every last kilometre out of a bus or coach, ensuring fuel efficiency is at an all-time high. For years, durability and consistency, along with ongoing safety, have been critical elements of successfully running a bus and coach fleet.
But, according to FieldLock, it is time to shift that attention inside the cabin, towards the people travelling within it. The company’s new bus seat belt alert system aims to change not just how passengers are protected, but how they think about safety itself.
“Seatbelts fitted doesn’t mean seatbelts used,” FieldLock director Kim Schofield told ABC
“Drivers have told us for years that getting passengers, especially school kids, to buckle up is one of their biggest headaches. They’re forced into uncomfortable confrontations that take focus away from the road. Our system takes that pressure off them completely.”
The system is deceptively simple, with each seat being fitted with sensors that detect both occupancy and whether the seatbelt is fastened.
A central display shows the driver which seats are secured, while an in-cabin prompt automatically reminds anyone unbuckled to fasten their belt. The process is immediate, automatic and requires no intervention from the driver.
“The goal was to make safety seamless,” Schofield says.
Above: The system is designed to know which seats are occupied and which seatbelts are fastened, in an easyto-read display
“We wanted something that speaks directly to passengers and reinforces good behaviour without creating
The sensor fits seamlessly under the seat and under the fabric, providing full coverage without rewiring the bus
conflict. The driver shouldn’t have to monitor 50 seats at once; the technology can do that job better and faster.”
The design is also practical, as the wireless setup avoids the messy, time-consuming cabling required by older systems, enabling quick retrofitting across mixed fleets. A typical installation involves only minor seat adjustments, and the voice prompts can even be customised. It’s an idea that has already sparked creative interest among schools and operators alike.
Beyond the technical aspects, the system’s behavioural impact is proving decisive. Schofield recalls the story of one driver who had the system installed on a school bus.
“On the first day, the alerts went off constantly. By day two, there were fewer. By day three, the kids were reminding each other to buckle up. Within a week, it had become second nature,” Schofield says.
That kind of peer reinforcement, Schofield says, is where real cultural change begins.
“It’s about building habits early. We want kids to grow up thinking that putting on a seatbelt is automatic, on every bus, every time,” she says.
FieldLock’s approach is extending beyond compliance. The company believes systems like this will help reduce insurance exposure, strengthen public confidence and even influence future safety standards.
“The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of prevention,” Schofield says.
“No one can put a price on a child’s life, but we can make sure every journey gives them the best chance of getting home safely.”
Currently distributed through Fleet Support, the system has already attracted interest from schools, transport authorities and private operators across the country.
For Schofield, it is a step towards embedding safety as instinct rather than instruction.
“The end goal is simple,” she says.
“We want a future where bus passengers don’t think about seatbelts, they just use them.”
Camira is the trusted fabric partner for the Australian bus and coach industry. Our Melbourne team is on hand to provide quick turnaround times, with stock readily available here in Australia. From routine maintenance to unexpected repairs, Camira supports vehicles throughout their lifetime.
Send in your best bus or coach photos to feature in next month’s magazine.
The November winner of Best Bus comes courtesy of a glorious coach in the middle of the Eyre Peninsula
Ahighlight of ABC ’s Best Bus is that it takes some of Australasia’s most beautiful transport vehicles to the jewels of the region. Whether it be the well-known landmarks of Uluru and New Zealand’s Mt Cook or lesser known gems, operators and drivers around Australasia have been pulling out all stops to showcase the very best photos of their beloved vehicles.
The November edition of Best Bus is no exception, with our winner providing multiple shots of their vehicle in front of some intriguing yet less popular sites around Australia.
Colin Pitt is the winner for this month, with his photo of a Pitt’s Coach Tours vehicle in front of Pildappa Rock along South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula proving too eye-catching for the judges to resist.
Pitt also submitted two other photos from his journey that finished as finalists, including capturing the same Pitt’s Coach Tours bus in front of Broken Hill Mine and a popular silo along his travels.
Also finishing as finalists were Declan Laidler, who sent through an image of Ventura coach #1599 at SkyHigh Restaurant in Victoria’s Mount Dandenong, and Grady
Above: Colin Pitt took home Best Bus November with this photo of a coach in front of South Australia’s Pildappa Rock.
Weatherly-Connell across the ditch courtesy of a shot of a Bayes Coachlines vehicle in signature touring livery at Dunedin’s Larnach Castle at the start of spring.
As the winner of Best Bus October, Pitt has received a free 12-month subscription to ABC magazine, while the winning photo is also being shown off as ABC ’s Facebook cover photo for the whole of the month.
Don’t forget to send through your Best Bus photos for December and throughout 2025, as well as the start of 2026 via email and keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details!
elow: Grady Weatherly-Connell sent through a shot of a Bayes Coachlines vehicle in signature touring livery at Dunedin’s Larnach Castle at the start of spring across the ditch. Image: Grady Weatherly-Connell
October’s bus and coach deliveries data may not have reached September’s heights, but they do spell a positive trend for the local industry
While the October deliveries may not be as astounding as September’s 159 units were, it is still highlighting a recent impressive trend of consistency. Following in the footsteps of some major months, October saw 148 deliveries made in the national bus and coach sector.
While September may have seen Scania claim top honours, Volvo ensured it was back in its rightful place up top with 69 deliveries for the month. That left Volvo’s fellow European chassis supplier sitting in second with an impressive 30 units delivered. Yutong had the 15 deliveries, eight heavy bus and seven light bus, while Custom Denning also recorded double figures with 12 units delivered. King Long (eight) and I-Bus (seven light bus deliveries) were the next best, while MAN (three) kept ahead of the final few in BLK (two), BCI (one) and BYD (one).
The bodybuilder market saw its perennial leader stay as consistent as ever, with Volgren following its 45 September deliveries with a further 68 in October. It was more than double ahead of the second placed Irizar, who remained ahead of the pack with 19 units delivered. Yutong’s combo of eight heavy bus and seven light saw it
claim third spot, with Custom Denning (12) and BCI (11) also reaching double figures. King Long (eight) and I-Bus (seven light bus) could hardly be split, with the remaining eight deliveries being spread between five different brands.
McConnell continued to dominate the seating market, with a further 80 deliveries for October ensuring the momentum continues to roll. Sege had an impressive month with the 29 deliveries, while Yutong was the only other brand to pass 10 with the 14 units delivered. StyleRide had the eight deliveries, while APM (seven) kept ahead of Vogel (five), Fainsa (four) and Marcopolo’s solitary unit.
Change wasn’t to be in the air-conditioning market as Hispacold secured its spot at the top of the market with a further 34 deliveries in October. After narrowly winning in September, it dominated the market in October, with second place going to Denso with 24 units while third was shared by Cling-Yutong and Coachair with 15 deliveries apiece. It was a tight tussle in these middle stages, with Spheros (14) and Thermo King (13) both coming very close to the pack. After them, BCC (nine) and King Long (eight) were both snapping at their heels, with Valeo and I-Bus both recording seven deliveries to finish
Above: King Long kept its consistency going, symbolic of the industry as a whole. Image: Bus Stop Sales
ahead of Konvekta with the two. October saw New South Wales usurped at the top of the state-based battle leaderboard, as Queensland narrowly won out in October. The maroon state claimed victory with 36 deliveries for the month ahead of Western Australia with 35, while NSW wasn’t far behind with 30 units. Victoria and South Australia locked horns for fourth and couldn’t be split, both recording the 23 deliveries. The ACT was the only other jurisdiction to get on the board with the one delivery.
The zero-emissions and diesel split continued to see more of the former arriving in October, with 110 diesel deliveries made compared to 38 zero-emissions. In the zero-emissions space, Volvo led the way with 24 electric bus deliveries, ahead of Custom Denning with 12, while Yutong and BYD both recorded the one. Out of the 110 diesel deliveries made, 15 of these were Scania hybrids, while Volvo (45) took the cake ahead of Scania (15 diesel) and Yutong (14). Turn overleaf for comprehensive bus and coach delivery information for October. Please note all data is as supplied from manufacturers, at their discretion.
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In Queensland’s Scenic Rim, Jo McVilly turned her dream of a bus full of dogs into a rolling symbol of joy, connection and second chances
Wturn. Its passengers don’t scroll their phones or stare out the window; they wag their tails, grin through the glass and occasionally slobber on it. For owner Jo McVilly, that bus is more than transport; it’s a mobile happiness generator and, increasingly, a bridge for people who need a little extra help finding their place in the world.
McVilly’s idea began simply.
“I started walking dogs, then I had too many to walk,” she laughs.
“So, I borrowed a friend’s four-wheel drive and eventually thought, I just need a bus where every dog has its own seat.”
That offhand wish turned into a full-blown operation. Today, a lovingly modified 2012 Mitsubishi Rosa, complete with seatbelt clips, custom kennels and dog beds, all brought together with the help of Metal Pro Australia, ferries her furry clientele across the region for adventure days and playtime at IronBark DogPark.
Every seat tells a story. Collies and kelpies revel in routine, retrievers treat the ride like a party and rescue dogs learn to trust again.
“Our team works a lot with anxious or rescued dogs,” McVilly says.
“We use calm handling and positive reinforcement to help them build confidence. Watching them go from nervous to leaping onto the bus is the best feeling.”
That sense of care extends beyond the canines. Before IronBark, McVilly worked in outdoor education with young people at risk and those with disabilities. When she founded the park a decade ago, she quietly kept that second passion alive.
“Dogs and helping others are my two loves,” she says. “Now I’ve brought them together.”
Through Encompass Wellbeing Pty Ltd, McVilly and her team offer supported work experience for neurodivergent and disabled people. Participants help care for the dogs
“The dream is to have IronBark DogParks and buses in rural communities everywhere,” she says.
“Not just for dogs, but for people too; creating little micro-businesses that connect wellbeing, animals and inclusion.”
Back at home base, she recently bought a property complete with an old church and Airbnb accommodation to expand her wellbeing programs organised under Encompass Wellbeing. Government interest is growing, and she’s exploring funding to formalise the disability pathways. Still, it’s the simple, everyday joy that keeps her going.
“Some of my dogs have been with me for 10 years,” she smiles.
“They’re getting old now. I sometimes lift their back legs up onto the bus, but they still can’t wait for the ride.”
