Coach and Bus 19

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CLASS ACT

MB Mini-buses Green-lighted

Aussie Pride!

Volvo's First Euro6 Articulated Bus

Artic Fox VOLVO’S B8RLEA HITS WEST OZ OPERATOR: AAT Kings NEWS: UBC Take-over TECH: Air-powered Vehicles? INTERNATIONAL: Wrightbus Streetdeck

HIGER’S NEW BUS & COACH RANGE

There’s a Higer for every purpose PLUS COMING IN 2015 City Bus 4x4 Bus Large Tour Coach

Higer has a wide range of 28 to 57 seat buses designed specifically for local conditions. Best-in-class components and standard safety features include ABS, ASR, lap sash seat belts and reversing camera on every model. With the addition of EBS and ESC Higer ensures maximum safety, comfort and class-leading reliability.

Combine this with an extensive dealer and service network and extended driveline warranty,* and it’s easy to see why more people are getting on board with Higer. *Optional 2 year driveline warranty extension available (4 years total). Conditions apply.

To find your nearest Higer dealer call 1300 850 206 or visit higer.com.au

001Driver’s Seat

Fabian Cotter “...bus driving – not just doing a job but rather actually partaking in a noble cause. Seriously.”

B

US PEOPLE? Yeah, bus people are good people. Very good people, in fact. Okay, maybe I’m speaking generically and un-empirically, but my personal experience and gut instinct leads me to believe that they really are a switchedon, thoughtful, uber-capable, caring and … well ... unfortunately ... under-rated group, I’d have to say.

I mean, we often never like to focus too much on it, or conveniently gloss over the challenging humps and bumps of the day-to-day grind of running great bus operations, making great bus product, and – at the coal face – driving hundreds and thousands of people safely to their destinations and back home again, umpteen times. But maybe we should. More...

Without doubt, X amount of commuters may be genuinely thankful for their bus and couch journeys all over the place, but I’m pretty sure the majority or passengers take it for granted.

Either that or I’m jaded by way too many early morning Sydney NightRide observations – I’m not sure.

I remember at the 2014 QBIC Bus Show on the Gold Coast late last year - running around like a headless chook in the relative darkness trying to take photos and not trip over myself - that Scania Bus Driver of the Year winner, Jola Ramsay, gave such an impassioned and gracious acceptance speech. Of all the things he mentioned, it was his words about the pride he felt in being part of the greater bus community - and that they too should feel proud - that really struck a chord with people I noted.

They cheered and almost exhaled deep relief at the acknowledgement and confirmation from someone else of what they too feel and think

and breathe each day.

This made me think when a friend recently told me he was about to become a bus driver that he wasn’t just going to be doing a job but rather actually partake in a noble cause – seriously.

I mean, let’s face it, the kind of crap many bus drivers have to put up with from violent, drunk and stupid passengers these days, really, they need a medal for putting up with that I reckon.

Or at least a really big Skippy badge. I just don’t have that patience, so good on them I say.

And so I was only happy to flick him a DVD produced by a large Melbourne-based bus company, which it uses to educate prospective drivers by interviewing current staff about what happens, what they do to deal with things and, in general, what their thoughts were about the whole bus-driver role. It was all really interesting stuff.

And where did I find this DVD? Try one of the many ‘showbags’ you get from whatever major bus show you manage to get to each year, as amongst a lot of the fluff and superfluous trinkets (Oh, who am I kidding?

I love that stuff) is some really insightful and reassuring info about what happens in our bus industry and how great it is really. And that, overall, is no bad thing.

This issue we have a bumper package of news and features for you that I’m sure you’ll be able to sink your teeth into and get something informative out of.

Straight out of the blocks we check out Volvo’s world-first Euro6 articulated low-floor bus, which is the first of an order of 70 that will soon be transporting commuters all around the streets of pretty Perth. It’s always good to see not just products tailored to specific Australian and New Zealand client needs from some overseas HQ, but rather global entities happy to support localised company people with what they determine is best for their own backyard.

And it’s a similar thing with the featured new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based Mini-buses coming from Germany, where there seems to be real openness and support offered from MB HQ to the powers that be based here and calling

the shots for delivering exactly what localised clients need.

Also this issue we check out two different geographically defined operators, where their inherent national or global alliance systems enable them to meet the varied demands of their discerning customers. AAT Kings in the Australasian region and beyond, and Redline Coaches of Tasmania, are doing a superb job in that regard. Plus we check out some interesting tech involving air-powered vehicles (who knew?) and a cool double-deck design running around the UK these days by Wrightbus.

It’s hard to believe we are basically in the middle of 2015 already - and the best bit?

The Melbourne BusVic show is just around the corner. We’ve spoken to the organisers and it promises to be a real pearler, so check out our news section for information about how to register to attend as a delegate or an exhibitor – but you better be quick because tickets are selling fast. It’s the ‘bussie’ social event not to be missed. Seriously. And they have pretty decent canapes and everything.

Mmmm canapes...

Oooh! And I almost forgot. Speaking of shows, Busworld Kortrijk 2015 is coming up in October.

This thing is massive and whilst I appreciate not everyone gets the time off to go globetrotting checking out the latest and greatest product in terms of buses and coaches, there are plenty that do, so be sure to seriously stick this one on your must-see list! It’s truly a biggin’ and being based in Belgium you are not going to get a better chance to write off a European trip as a work expense.

Er … gee, did I just say that out aloud? Ooops.

Oh, nevermind me. I’m just delusional.

That said, I just might see ya’ll at the show.

Drive safe and stay beautiful.

Until the next thrilling instalment...

STOP PRESS! Sydney Airport is inviting Expressions of Interest from manufacturers in Australia and overseas to supply electric buses, to be used on the shuttle route between the T2/T3 precinct and the Blu Emu Car Park. In 2014, more than 1.6 million passengers and airport workers were transported on the Blu Emu Car Park’s buses.

For more visit: www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/business/services/electricbustender.aspx

Issue 019

Contents CONTACT DETAILS PO Box 3294 Erina, NSW 2250 www.truckandbus.net.au Enquiries Tel: 0411 099 091 Follow us on Twitter #truckandbusnews Managing Editor/Editor Fabian Cotter fabian@truckandbus.net.au Art Director Luke Melbourne www.groeningdesigns.com.au Senior Designer Adelle Chang www.groeningdesigns.com.au Advertising Sales E: advertising@truckandbus.net.au T: 0411 099 091 Contributing Writers Chris Smith, David Meredith, Sven-Erik Lindstrand, Allen Matzel Contributing Photographers Mark Bean, Cristian Brunelli, Jan Glovac, David Meredith, Chris Smith, Paul Jakubicki, Matthew Everingham Coach & Bus magazine is produced under license by the Truck Power Media Group Pty Ltd. ABN 85 122 374 547 six times per year and is distributed to bus and coach operators, business professionals and the industry throughout Australia.

Regulars

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Driver’s Seat

Editor Cotter reckons the people working in the global bus industry are grossly under-appreciated legends - here’s why.

Up Front

We wrap up the key local and international bus and coach news that affects us as a global industry and where we are heading.

In Depth - A Stretch of the Imagination

TECH TREND: Budapest, Hungary, is historically linked to the humble articulated bus, so it’s only fitting that Volvo landed a huge deal in that city to supply a hybrid fleet. Fabian Cotter reports.

Hot Stuff

If you are past Lego and Meccano then these trick gadgets on the go are hard to resist. You may not need them, but you’ll certainly want them. Or is that vice-versa?

Working Wheels

Extra pressure on a commercial vehicle to be well above the bar in terms of style just because it’s Italian? Pretty much. And luckily the new Iveco Daily doesn’t disappoint. Fabian Cotter checks it out.

Money

You bust your backside working all your life, so it’s clever to ensure when it’s time to retire that you’ve got all your pennies in the right places. Strategies? Financial guru Paul Clitheroe explains.

Interview

49

60 Minutes With...

INTERVIEW: Back in the Coach & Bus hot-seat with some runs under his belt as new MercedesBenz general manager, Asia-Pacific, is Justin Whitford. With some cool new product coming and a few other developments, Fabian Cotter tries to find out what the Daimler Bus future holds.

All material contained herein including text, photography, design elements and format are copyright and cannot be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Truck Power Media Group is a member of the Copyright Agency Limited (1800 066 844).

Editorial contributions are welcome for consideration. Contact the Editor for guidelines, fees and level of interest.

All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a stamp, addressed envelope for their return. We will not be held responsible for material supplied electronically.

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LEARNING SPANISH IRIZAR - AT HOME IN OZ

OPERATOR: Buslink VIVO NEWS: Scania Poo Bus? INTERNATIONAL: Volvo Hybrid Electric INTERVIEW: HVA-King Long’s Anthony Fisicaro CBT18_p000_COV.indd 1

25/02/2015 2:19 pm

coach&bus 26

“...soak it all in while travelling on a comfy, modern coach.”

Features

20

Articulate Argument

26

King Sized Red

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COVERSTORY: In a world first for Volvo Bus – matching Euro6 technology with an articulated low-floor bus chassis - it’s again partnered with Volgren to fulfil a massive order for Perth’s PTA. Fabian Cotter reports.

OPERATOR: One of the largest coach operators in Australia and part of a mammoth transport group spread worldwide, AAT Kings prides itself on offering some fabulous tours to the NT’s Red Centre. Fabian Cotter reports.

Beyond The Red Line

OPERATOR: Redline Coaches is Tasmania’s longest running and largest private transport operator and it’s chuffed with its news Bon Luck articulated low-floors.

Fabian Cotter checks out what’s going down on the beautiful Apple Isle.

37 40 56

Busworld Kortrijk, 2015

EVENT PREVIEW: If it isn’t the biggest bus and coach show in the world then it’s bloody well close to it – and that’s just counting its European side of things. Come this October it’ll be bigger than ever. Fabian Cotter reports.

Class Transfer

NEW PRODUCT: Big player Mercedes-Benz is equal to the task in the small end of town by introducing its fully factorybacked Transfer Mini-buses onto the Australian market.

What’s it got to offer and how will it compete in the tightly fought market? Fabian Cotter finds out.

Street Smart

INTERNATIONAL: The UK’s Wrightbus set itself a big task to produce what it saw as the best double-decker and its new StreetDeck – with Euro6 cleanliness, twin-turbo power and stylish cosmetic lines - looks and sounds like objective met.

Fabian Cotter takes a closer look.

Technical

44

Hot Air Buffoons?

TECH: Everyone’s trying to make cleaner-running vehicles to save the Earth’s air – but what if the answer to actually use it instead? Compressedair engines are nothing new, but their modern application is and all very exciting stuff – if it ever gets up. Fabian Cotter investigates.

UpFront

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WET BUS LANES DANGEROUS? RAIN-COVERED NSW ‘red’ bus lanes could be the scene of an horrific commuter accident if the latest surfacing techniques have actually made them smoother rather than ‘grippier’, according to reports by the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Union recently.

As reported in the Union’s Bus Express publication in April, more than 30 drivers sent in written reports and 100 others spoke to the union about their concerns - first hand experience of buses skidding in wet weather on red bus lanes proving that this problem is widespread,

004 www.truckandbus.net.au

it’s claimed.

Earlier this year, the publication asked its members to report any such cases after the problem was initially raised by the Burwood, NSW, depot in 2014 and particularly concerned Parramatta Road and Broadway. That dispute was settled with the NSW State Transit last year, the Union states, but “the issue has opened up again with reports of the same problem coming in from other depots”.

“It appears that the new surfacing techniques being used are making the lanes smoother, and therefore more

slippery. We have had reports that buses have been skidding up to five metres after trying to break while on the bus lanes,” it’s reported.

As the Roads and Maritime service is responsible for the road surfacing, both the STA and the Union have raised the issue with them it’s stated, with the RMS responding by carrying out urgent testing on the bus lanes to find out what the problem is and it was due to do some maintenance and repair work on the lanes over the recent Easter holiday weekend.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says it is

pleased with the initial response, but will carefully watch the issue in future.

Government bus drivers say that when they attempt to pull up at stops and traffic lights in wet weather on the painted surfaces, the 13-tonne vehicles aquaplane.

Five locations identified as trouble spots are: Broadway between Ross St, Glebe, and Railway Square; Blaxland Road and Devlin St, Ryde Shopping Centre; Argyle St, Parramatta; Oxford St, Darlinghurst, near Taylor Square; and Victoria Rd between Rozelle and White Bay.

ACTION’s Euro6 Buses Cut Fuel Burn, Too JUST NINE MONTHS after entering service for ACTION buses in the ACT, initial reports indicate the Scania Euro6 low-floors are doing as predicted in terms of reduced emissions, as well as reduced fuel burn, the operator states.

The first of the buses entered service in July, 2014, and has already clocked up in excess of 66,000km.

“These are extremely popular vehicles among the drivers,” said Glenn Dougall, Assets and Infrastructure manager, Public Transport, for the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate within the ACT Government.

He says that the vehicles are always in use and hard to come by even for official promotional purposes.

“The first year has been pretty positive,” he said. “The drivers really enjoy driving them because they have excellent driveability. The vehicles are more responsive than the older models we have had in service up to now.”

The Scania engines develop a lot of

power and torque low down the rev range, which is well suited to stopstart route bus driving, it’s claimed.

“The drivers say there is better driveability in the Euro6 buses than from comparable Euro5-engined vehicles,” Dougall said. “They see it as an improvement.

“In fact, we have been able to disable the kick-down function, “ he said. This would have a positive impact on fuel efficiency.

“We have seen initial fuel figures suggesting that the Euro6 engines in their first short period of use have been more frugal than equivalent rigid Euro5 buses, while initial AdBlue consumption is of the order of 8 litres per 100km.

“As these were our first buses with SCR we had to install some AdBlue refuelling infrastructure, but it hasn’t been a big issue to switch over.

Certainly there has been no penalty moving to Euro6,” Dougall added.

“We have been servicing as per the manufacturer’s specified intervals and this is going to plan as well.

“The new buses have a neat, modern design and the driver area has received positive feedback. We designed it in association with driver input, so we are all happy with the result.

“I can’t see us returning to Euro5, so future purchases will be Euro6 where available. Certainly the European manufacturers will be placing focus on Euro6,” he said.

Scania Bus and Coach National manager for Government Sales, Trevor O’Brien, says the ACTION fleet introduction has been a big success.

“We see this project as being highly successful. This is the first fleet of Euro6 buses introduced in Australia.

We planned heavily for this introduction and it has all gone well. The vehicles are performing very effectively and efficiently and the response from the drivers has been excellent.

“We hear that drivers are very keen to drive these buses and they are returning excellent fuel economy and, of course, reducing both particulates and noxious emissions to a fraction of those from Euro5 buses,” O’Brien said.

“Because buses have such long working lives in Australia there are very many old buses working in the heart of urban areas that are emitting far greater levels of noxious emissions than modern, Euro6 buses.

“We hope the success of the ACTION Euro6 fleet introduction will encourage other fleets of private and government operators around the country to consider shifting to this cleaner option as soon as possible.

“The Scania Euro6 solution has proven itself in operation in Canberra and we look forward to a greater take-up of this technology from other forward-thinking environmentallyconscious operators around Australia,” he said.

www.truckandbus.net.au 005

UpFront

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BUSVIC SHOW 2015 – REGISTRATIONS OPEN! AS THE ONLY bus and coach expo to be held in Australia in 2015, BusVic anticipates there will be unprecedented demand from the Australian and international bus industry for access to this year’s Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo event, offering unprecedented quality and value for those that attend, it’s stated.

BusVic says plans are progressing extremely well for the event to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and it’s extremely pleased to open exhibitor registration for the 2015 show, to be held Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July.

Key features of the event include: 15,000m2 of event space all under the one roof; Maintenance, technical and management conference sessions and workshops delivered within the exhibit;

006 www.truckandbus.net.au

Ample amount of time for delegates to interact with over 150 leading industry suppliers and be brought up to date with the latest products, services and developments; Catering and networking events held within the exhibit; Premium keynote speakers and entertainers as part of the two-day conference programme including Mark Donaldson VC, Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson, Kate Ceberano and James Galea; Industry gala dinner held at Crown Palladium on July 8 and networking dinner at Munich Brauhaus on July 9; and an event app available to enable all exhibitors to further engage with event delegates.

The Committee has developed an exciting programme that will address current issues and provide a great learning and development experience;

it is currently seeking the best industry experts to deliver the sessions.

To register, delegates and exhibitors are encouraged to visit the BusVic website at www.busvic.asn.au to check out the Exhibition flyer including floor plan and registration form, as well as the Exhibitor Handbook, which includes useful information and terms and conditions.

A comprehensive technical maintenance conference programme will run alongside the exhibition offering delegates the opportunity to hear about the latest technologies and innovations in buses and workshop maintenance, plus best practice and “How-To’s” in operational management. There will also be various technical workshops being convened throughout the exhibition hall.

This is a stellar venue on the banks of the Yarra River in Southbank on the doorstep of Melbourne city centre and a short 20-minute taxi from the airport.

BusVic has secured some special accommodation deals with the Crown properties all located at Southbank close to the Convention Centre. Full details are in the event handbooks - go to the BusVic event page for more information about the exhibition space and registration.

Please note current BusVic and BIC supplier members and partners will have access to discount benefits for the Event. Should you wish to become a member or partner of BusVic or BIC, please access the BusVic Associate Member information here at www. busvic.asn.au/public/membership/ membership-application-forms, or BIC Member information at www.bic.asn.au/ membership-centre/how-to-join-bic Should you have any queries, please contact event organiser Craig Spurr on +61 (0)3 9914 7011, +61 (0)3 9914 7011, or email cspurr@busvic.asn.au

MAN217 C&B

The future will be rolling on Lion’s Chassis.

Lion’s Chassis form the ideal basis for coaches, city buses and school buses that combine premium quality with innovative engineering. The electronic stability program ESP is a series feature of the coach and school bus versions.

The modular two-and three-axle chassis give body manufacturers great freedom and flexibility in designing individual solutions with five module groups available:

is standard. A stabiliser is fitted for increased stability and optimum safety, especially for high bodies. An actively steered trailing axle is available for three-axle coach Chassis.

Driver’s work-place module: The ergonomically designed driver’s workplace offers body manufacturers flexible integration options.

This, along with the EBS electronic brake system and a body friendly electronic structure are all standard features of the Lion’s Chassis.

Front axle module: Highly convenient independent wheel suspension is now standard for coach and school bus. An optional rigid axle is also available for two-axle coach and school bus chassis. The Low Entry chassis is fitted as standard with the proven rigid axle.

Driveline module: The driveline can be perfectly configured with efficient common-rail engines for low-entry, school bus or coach chassis. The engines meet exhaust emission standards Euro 6 – well ahead of the statutory deadline. Available gearboxes include manual, automated manual (MAN TipMatic®) and automatic.

Wheelbase module: A short transfer wheelbase lowers transport costs and the final wheelbase can be individually specified by the body manufacturer.

Rear axle module: A low-noise hypoid drive axle with low weight, high load capacity and long oil-change intervals

Engineering the Future – since 1758.

To find out more, contact your local MAN Sales Representative.

VIC, SA & TAS: John Dernaj M: 0419 329 636 QLD, NT & WA: Russell Bayfield M: 0421 613 143 NSW: Les Atkins M: 0418 293 077 www.man.com.au

www.truckandbus.net.au 051

UpFront

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BUS MANUFACTURER UBC HAS NEW OWNERSHIP KULIM, MALAYSIA-BASED UBC Commercial Vehicles (Malaysia) SDN. BHD. announced that the company has changed ownership, effective Wednesday 18 March, 2015.

After a period of uncertainty, UBC Commercial Vehicles Malaysia has secured ongoing production capacity.

The new owner is a 100 per cent Australian- owned company and they will be injecting considerable funds to secure a 10-year plan, it’s stated. The 10-year business plan includes additional infrastructure, training and expansion into new market sectors through its global growth strategy.

It is important to note that in early

2014 UBC finished its association with Chiron Commercial Vehicles Pty Ltd, which was the previous owner and importer of UBC Commercial Vehicles bus bodies built in Malaysia.

UBC will have an administration office, technical and spare parts facility located in numerous operations centres throughout Australia to co-ordinate shipping, distribution and after-sales service and parts supply.

In the past, UBC has worked closely with Daewoo Bus and Hino Bus chassis suppliers developing high-quality bus bodies specifically for Australia, it’s stated.

The association with these two companies will continue, with production having

begun since March. The first vehicle deliveries under the new ownership were expected to arrive end April.

The engineering, technical and quality assurance personnel at UBC are remaining with the new ownership and there is a particular focus on future product development and quality under the UBC ISO9001:2008 quality certification.

The new owners intend to increase production and expand the business by taking advantage of opportunities that exist in the Asia-Pacific Region, it’s stated.

“I am delighted to have acquired UBC Commercial Vehicles (Malaysia)

through our Australian business unit and commenced a journey to develop UBC and transition it into a globally recognised partner of choice for bus, coach and specialist vehicle design and manufacturing. My philosophy on business management is ‘protect, grow, and widen’ and I am committed to organisational excellence, which is recognised as the overall way of working that results in balanced stakeholder satisfaction (customers, employees, partners, society and shareholders), so increasing the probability of long-term success as an organisation,” said John Morris, executive chairman and CEO UBC Commercial Vehicles (Australia).

John Morris AFTER COMPLETING THE recent acquisition, John Morris holds the roles of executive chairman and CEO of UBC Commercial Vehicles. He holds a number of board positions and is recognised in providing executive leadership and coaching.

A company director, he has served on boards and key leadership positions of a number of private and public companies since 1998. He provides strategic direction, growth and competitiveness with a focus on business process improvement, he says, and he’s engaged with the University of Wollongong and the iAccelerate mentoring programme to develop key industries, technologies and people. Morris says he’s passionate about mentoring people to achieve business improvement.

Holding a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Business Management, he is a member of both the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) and Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

As a lead on over 15 acquisitions, transitions and transformation programmes around the globe in both private and public organisations, Morris is an experienced leader with a key focus on financial practices, continuous improvement with high delivery standards, sustainable risk management, governance and contract management capabilities. He has been involved in transportation and manufacturing for many years and is now looking forward to transforming UBC Commercial Vehicles into a world-class, market-leading organisation he says.

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UpFront

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FEDERAL GOVT. FAILING AUSTRALIAN CITIES

010 www.truckandbus.net.au

A LACK OF leadership on urban policy is failing Australia, according to the Bus Industry Confederation and a group of national organisations focussed on transport and urban planning.

“Urban sprawl and traffic congestion are making our cities unmanageable both in terms of cost to the Government and cost of living for families. This is seriously damaging our national prosperity,” said Michael Apps, executive director of the Bus Industry Confederation of Australia.

“Our capital and major cities are the drivers of our economy: 80 per cent of the value of all goods and services produced in Australia come from our cities, 70 per cent of the economy is based around service industries in our cities, and more than 85 per cent of our people live in major cities and urbanised areas.

“These numbers alone are a good reason why the Australian government should be a leader not a follower when it comes to our cities; the cost of urban sprawl and congestion to the national economy make it a necessity,” said Apps.

Congestion is estimated to have cost the national economy more than $13 billion in 2014 and, if unchecked, will cost the economy $20 billion by 2020.

“A recent study estimates that urban sprawl costs the US economy more than US$1 trillion annually. We know that urban sprawl costs Australian governments federal, state and local - billions in additional infrastructure, service provision costs and productivity losses as a result of congestion.

“At a time when bringing down costs to government and increasing revenue is a major focus at a Federal level it’s a nobrainer for the Federal Government to play a role in how we manage the growth of our cities,” said Apps.

“Cities are the knowledge drivers of the economy. We no longer ride on the sheep’s back, or on the coat tails of the mining boom. Our economy now and, in the future, depends on how we manage our cities.

“The Federal Government must have a

vision for our cities and get involved, or we will end up with more long-term strategic plans for our cities that only last as long as the term of the state governments that make them.

“Funding and building urban roads is only a small part of the solution to building globally competitive cities of the future,” said Apps.

Apps comments came during the launch of Moving People: Connecting Neighbourhoods, a major report written by Professor John Stanley at the University of Sydney. This report presents the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods in Australia’s major cities, where residents can do most of the things they need and want to do within 20 minutes of where they live by walking, cycling or catching public transport.

“The solution to how we address urban sprawl, congestion and how people move in our cities is built on how we connect our neighbourhoods, through long-term planning and the right choices for transport infrastructure and travel choices,” said Apps.

The report focuses on the level of density, public transport services, cycling and walking infrastructure required to achieve a network of 20-minute neighbourhoods within the greater metropolitan regions of our capital and major cities.

“By delivering a network of 20-minute neighbourhoods in our cities we can facilitate the population growth identified in the Australian government’s inter-generational report in a more productive and sustainable way,” said Apps.

“The 20-minute neighbourhood isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, it is about making the existing urban form in our cities more diverse and liveable by bringing good transport choices and economic opportunity to what is already in place,” said Professor Stanley.

National organisations supporting the call for federal leadership on cities are: the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects; the Australasian Railway Association; Cycling Promotion Fund; and the Real Estate Institute of Australia.

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UpFront

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Electric-hybrid Buses in Stockholm

Fast Facts:

A BUS ROUTE entirely served by Volvo’s quiet, fuel-efficient and practically emission-free electric-hybrid buses is now reality in Stockholm. A total of eight electric-hybrid buses were deployed on Route 73, which passes through the central areas of Stockholm, recently.

Volvo’s electric-hybrid buses will replace all of the existing buses on Route 73, which runs between Ropsten and the Karolinska Institute in central Stockholm.

“More and more cities now regard electrified bus traffic as a cost-efficient way of reducing the problems of poor air quality and noise. Our solution makes travel more attractive and improves the environment without the need for large investments in new infrastructure.

In Stockholm, we have yet another

The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid is: Quiet and free of emissions when driven on electricity; Can be driven at least 7km on electricity alone, covering the distance silently and entirely without exhaust emissions; 60 per cent lower energy consumption compared with a conventional diesel bus; 75–90 per cent lower carbon dioxide emissions than a conventional diesel bus depending on the fuel; Quick-charge at end stops in six minutes. * Estimated value on a city bus route of 10 kilometres, compared to a diesel bus Euro6.

opportunity to demonstrate electrichybrid technology under commercial conditions,” said Volvo Buses president Håkan Agnevall.

Volvo’s electric-hybrid buses will operate quietly and free of emissions on renewable electricity for seven of the routes slightly more than 8km, and the batteries will be quick-charged for only six minutes at the end stops. As a complement, the buses also have a small diesel engine that is driven on biodiesel.

Compared with conventional buses the electric-hybrids provide considerable environmental gains. The total energy consumption is 601 per cent lower, it’s claimed. Climate-impacting emissions are reduced by 901 per cent since the buses will use biodiesel and wind

power. The noise level during electrical operation is at the same level as ordinary conversational tone.

Services using electric hybrid buses in Stockholm comprise a demonstration project conducted by Volvo Buses, SL (Stockholm Public Transport) and energy provider Vattenfall. It is part-financed by the EU through the ZeEUS (Zero Emission Urban Bus System) project, in which more than 40 companies and organisations are participating.

Following the initial demonstration project that will continue until the end of 2016, the intention is to continue using the electric hybrids in commercial operation.

Volvo’s electric hybrids have also been used in commercial service in Hamburg, Germany, since December 2014.

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UpFront BUS LIVERY BOOK LAUNCHED A NEW BOOK that captures the glory and vibrancy of Sydney’s historic bus liveries was launched recently, compiled by respected NSW bus identity, Tony Finneran. The book emerges as the city’s route buses increasingly adopt the now standardised blue and white livery.

Scania’s long-time NSW bus and coach salesman, Tony Finneran, was motivated to compile this impressively detailed book while recovering from the effects of an unexpected stroke that left the then 55-year old with less than a 50 per cent chance of survival.

“I was completely paralysed by the stroke and the doctors were not convinced I would survive,” Finneran explained.

“But then my army training kicked in and I willed myself to get better,” said the reservist with more than 35 years of service.

“As part of the rehabilitation process I relearned my computer skills, albeit without much of the use of my formerly dominant right hand.

“With a huge collection of photos of

old buses, and the eager support of so many friends and colleagues throughout the industry, I have been able to compile this book: ‘Gone but not forgotten. The lost liveries of Sydney’s route buses’,” he explained.

Finneran published the book independently, in both hardback and soft cover. A limited number remain available from independent booksellers (see below).

Aptly, the Scania on the cover of the book is a bus Tony delivered to Punchbowl Bus & Coach Company in 1990, and which has covered more than 1.4m km and is still going strong.

Its bright red and yellow Punchbowl livery is testimony to its age, as many of the newer buses in the company depot in Riverwood are already blue and white.

Two years after the initial stroke, Finneran is back at work at Scania mentoring the Bus Driver Development Team and is plotting the second in a five-book collection all dedicated to the history of the bus industry.

Finneran was determined to launch

the first book in the series in the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital’s Stroke Rehabilitation Ward, where the medical and rehabilitation staff played a key role in his survival and return to fitness.

The book launch was attended by many of the people who had played a key role in Finneran ‘s recovery, as well as Darryl Mellish, executive director of BusNSW, and many NSW bus industry figures past and present.

“The seed for the concept of the book was sown in bed 1A of Stroke Ward 2B one night during treatment,” Finneran said.

“I knew I had to become left-hand dominant with any future computer work and if my first goal was to return to work, then I needed to challenge my skill sets.

“Working on the book made me cut and paste and insert, and it wasn’t long before I was back into full-time work.

“As a stroke survivor it made me realise the high importance of setting goals, staying focused on the things you can achieve and hopefully it will inspire

other survivors to achieve what may seem impossible,” he said.

“In reality, without my stroke, this book just wouldn’t have happened.”

Finneran is donating a large portion of the sales of the book to the National Stroke Foundation, and presented a cheque for $5500 to the Foundation as a result of fund-raising already completed.

The Foundation’s NSW executive officer, Greg Cantwell, expressed his gratitude to Finneran at the launch for his support to date.

“Tony has shown courage and determination in his recovery after his stroke. From being locked in his own body to now having written a book, he has inspired countless others through his journey,” Cantwell said.

“Unfortunately Tony’s stroke is not a rare occurrence. Last year alone people in New South Wales suffered more than 17,000 strokes.”

According to NSW Department of Health information, strokes kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.

Where Do You Get It? The book is available from the following retail outlets: TfNSW online store, Sydney Alco World, Ingleburn NSW Australian Rail Historical Society (NSW), Redfern, NSW Railfan shop, suburban Melbourne There are links to the resellers at: http://www.gbnf.com.au/

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YOUNG’S WINS AT QBIC AWARDS CENTRAL QUEENSLAND’s Young’s Bus Service has won the Outstanding Contribution Award and bus driver Erica Burns took out the Professional Driver gong of the Achiever of the Year award at the recent annual Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) Conference held in Cairns, in April.

Celebrating 65 years of doing business, the successful Queensland bus operator also received a bonus accolade – the Long Service award for exactly that mark of longevity.

The Long Service award recognised Young’s Bus Service for striving to provide better public and school student transport utilising available technology both in vehicles purchased and operational requirements.

The Outstanding Contribution award

recognises the journey the Young’s family has taken from the business’s inception in 1949 with founder Stan Young operating the first bus service to Theodore to providing services today to Mt Morgan, Gracemere, Keppel Sands and the Capricorn Coast.

Stan’s wife, Joan, and children Philip, David and Margaret all took a great interest in the buses and continue to do so. The fleet has grown from three to 34 with 40 staff now compared to three in the early years.

The Company assists many different charities, often donating a bus and driver for the door knock appeals for the local Qld Cancer Council and The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal; the St Vincent De Paul troubled youth programmes; and the Harley Davidson

Club fundraisers. Young’s Bus Service and staff also get involved in Give Me 5 for Kids and Movember fundraising.

Erica’s Professional Driver award recognises her outstanding driving history and customer service. She commenced as a school bus driver with Young’s Bus Service in 1991, having previously completed 14 years

of general city service driving in South Australia. She had never driven buses with manual gears or school runs prior to joining Young’s, but after 23 years with the company Erica has proven to be a dedicated employee with a flawless safety record and not one traffic accident. Well done, Erica and all at Young’s!

BUS DRIVER HEALTH IMPROVING A NEW STUDY released recently to the Minister for Employment and Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations at the private Bus Industry’s National IR Conference reveals a new benchmark in driver health and wellbeing best-practice for the bus and coach industry.

According to the Interact Bus and Coach Health and Wellbeing Study, when health and well-being programmes for bus drivers are put under the microscope, an impressive shift occurs towards better management and prevention of workplace health issues and strengthening of

drivers’ resilience to better cope with issues as they arise.

Commissioned by the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) and Australian Public Transport Industrial Association (APTIA and the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) as part of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Productivity and Training Fund (PET), The Interact Group developed the Bus and Coach Health and Wellbeing Study to assist industry representatives in understanding the current landscape of employee health

and well-being to assist them in positive and well-informed health and well-being decisions.

Launching the study in Canberra at the 2015 National Industrial Relations Seminar hosted by the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) and the Australian Public Transport and Industrial Association (APTIA), managing director of The Interact Group, Nikki Brouwers, said, “The industry has proved itself open to cultural change in the way that it currently manages typical workplace issues such as an aging workforce and bullying or harassment.”

“What we’ve observed during the Study

is an industry thriving on innovation, leadership and core family values,” she said.

“It is impressive to see how operators balance their traditional family owned business practices with modern, innovative and at times confronting newage workplace pressures.”

What the Study has shown us is that the bus industry is proactive with understanding the health and wellbeing concerns within the industry and proactive in implementing the appropriate steps and measures necessary to both manage and prevent workplace issues from arising.

UpFront

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HIGER SUPPORTS VARIETY IN 2015 RIDERS AND PARTICIPANTS in The Variety Cycle will be supported in comfort and style again this year as Higer Bus and Coach returns as a major sponsor, the company states.

The event is a two-week-long, staged cycle to raise money for Variety - the Children’s Charity. It takes participants from Sydney to Hobart via Canberra and Melbourne through some of the most picturesque and challenging cycle routes in the country.

Variety is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs.

After a Higer H7170 Munro successfully supported the 3700km journey in 2014

from Sydney to Uluru, Higer willingly accepted the invitation to support in 2015.

As part of its sponsorship, Higer will provide a Higer H7170 Munro support vehicle to follow along the route. The support vehicle will be a key part of the event’s safety plan to transport first-aid staff. It will also be used as backup transport for fatigued or injured cyclists.

CEO of Higer’s local distributor WMC Group, Neil Bamford, says his team is excited to support the event again this year.

“The Variety Cycle is a great Australian adventure that is about pushing your boundaries and doing something you never thought possible, all in the name of providing opportunity to Australian kids in need,” he said.

“We’re proud to have the opportunity to support the cyclists who will participate in this event. The Higer H7170 Munro will have a very important role to play as the course winds its way through a wide variety of roads across regional centres and through some of Australia’s most unforgiving terrain.

“The event organisers need to be confident the support vehicle is not only reliable in all kinds of road conditions but also that passengers will get a comfortable ride. Many people riding this bus will have spent a long time in the saddle and will really appreciate a comfortable, spacious seat.”

The Higer H7170 Munro features reliable components including an industry-leading

Cummins engine matched with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission and Wabco anti-lock braking system and antislip regulation. As with all Higer buses in Australia, all 28 seats have three-point lap sash belts as standard.

The Variety Cycle’s director Karl Kinsella says that this aspect of the event is a massive undertaking.

“We have a duty of care to ensure our cyclists are safe and supported as well as possible, so we’re very pleased to see Higer back on the team in 2015. A safe, reliable and comfortable support vehicle is critical to the success of the event,” he explained.

For more information about The Variety Cycle, visit www.thevarietycycle.com.au

Higer brings back the H7170 Munro as the support vehicle for The Variety Cycle 2015.

VOLVO BUSES GETS MASSIVE HOME ORDER

IN ITS HOME country of Sweden itself, Volvo Buses has received an order for a total of 276 buses from Nobina for delivery in 2015. The order is the largest to date for Volvo Buses on the Swedish market.

All the buses are of the Volvo 8900 model, but their specification differs somewhat to suit regional requirements and wishes.

The buses for the region of Värmland will be dedicated regional buses with a high level of comfort. The buses being built for Stockholm will be used primarily as feeders in suburban operations, where the focus is on high capacity.

“The Volvo 8900 is a flexible model that meets our own needs and also the demands of Nordic transport purchasers;

for instance, as regards low entry and low environmental impact. With this order we are deepening our long-term cooperation with Volvo Buses still further,” said Martin Atterhall, fleet manager at Nobina.

The first buses will be delivered in June.

The order encompasses 70 two-axle and 206 three-axle buses in lengths from 12- to 14.8m. All are low-entry models

powered by Volvo’s 8-litre biodiesel Euro6 engine producing 320hp.

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Having invested in your new Volvo, you may be puzzling over the best way to maintain and service your vehicle. With Volvo Service Contracts, we can put the final piece in place for you.

Available through your local Volvo Dealer, Volvo Service Contracts can be tailored to suit your unique requirements, giving you the peace of mind that you would expect.

We can help you safeguard against unexpected costs, while you focus on your business – safe in the knowledge that your vehicle is on the road, where it belongs.

We’re ready to help you with that last piece of the jigsaw, so why not contact our Commercial Aftersales Manager, Antra Saldums, for a quote today!

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We go further Tailored contract options to suit your operation

Tech Trend

STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION

The articulated low-floor city bus concept continues to endure and now, with hybrid technology, its reinvigorated usage where applicable bodes well for the future – if a recent Volvo Euro deal is anything to go by. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter reports.

D

epending on the type of urban landscape, passenger numbers, pedestrians to navigate and power and fuel consumption costs, an articulated bus can either be a godsend or the greatest bugbear to an operator. Thankfully, emerging technology – both in terms of energy use and safety – means there is plenty of life in the ‘old girl’ yet, with the concept becoming a key tool in Volvo’s global hybrid-bus ideology strategy.

Though ‘artics’ have been around since the 1920s in Europe in some form, a prototype first went into service in Budapest, Hungry, in the 1960s, so it’s perhaps fitting that – fast forwarding to 2015 - 28 Volvo articulated hybrid buses are now transporting passengers

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around that city. And the deal marks the largest ever order for the Volvo 7900 Articulated Hybrid, according to Volvo Bus in Europe.

Run by Hungarian bus operator T&J Busz, the Volvo 7900 Hybrid Artics have a large passenger capacity, low noise and emission levels, and fuel consumption 30 per cent below that of an equivalent diesel bus, it’s claimed, making it an “attractive alternative for large cities where the focus is on sustainable transport”, the company states.

In addition to the 28 units, Volvo Buses will be supplying T&J Busz with servicing and maintenance for all the buses, including the batteries, for a fixed monthly cost.

“It’s really good news that Budapest has also decided to invest in hybrid technology.

We have sold more than 1900 hybrid buses to cities in 21 countries, but this is the largest single order so far for articulated hybrid

buses,” said Arpad Szucs, country manager at Volvo Buses in Hungary.

“Customers who make the move to a new technology obviously want to feel secure. This is why we offer business models where we take responsibility for all the maintenance of the buses, including the batteries, for a fixed, predefined cost. This is a win-win situation for both parties,” said Fredrik Röstad, head of Area East Europe at Volvo Buses.

The sale was made in collaboration with the Hungarian company Rába Automotive, which also supplied the seats for the 28 hybrid buses.

For the uninitiated, the electric motor and the diesel engine can be used together or separately. At bus stops, the bus is powered by the quiet, emission-free electric motor, says Volvo Bus. The energy generated during engine braking is stored in the batteries and used to power the electric motor, it adds.

“Customers who make the move to a new technology obviously want to feel secure.”

BUS SPECS MAKE: Volvo MODEL: 7900 Articulated Hybrid ENGINE: Diesel - Volvo D5 Euro6 (240hp, 900Nm); Electric - Volvo I-SAM parallel hybrid (150kW max.)

CHASSIS: Three-axle articulated low-floor LENGTH: 18m BODY: Number of passengers – 126 (as stated)

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Coverstory

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Photography: Jan Glovac

ARTICULATE ARGUMENT Just when it seemed not just Australia but the world might be over its love affair with articulated buses, a mammoth order comes along and puts things into perspective to argue the point. Euro6 and a diesel driveline in a ‘bendy bus’? Perth’s Public Transport Authority says ‘Yes, please!’ And in what is a world first for the big Swede, Volvo’s B8RLEA delivers. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter reports.

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I

t’s not often you get world firsts in the automotive field that originate from Australia (not sure why the Brock ‘Energy Polariser’ comes to mind) and even less so from an entirely commercial-vehicle perspective, so when something hits the market it’s usually a pretty big deal. And why not?

With much of the automotive product originating from the United States, Europe and Asia, it’s just taken for granted that certain combinations and technologies will be par for the course when they get here - that is, of course, until uniquely tough and crazy Aussie conditions fuelled by stubbornly dinky-di knowhow and creativity means it’s only logical that it’s time to ‘build a better mousetrap’.

That’s probably an obliquely generalised assessment of the way it’s been and is, but what’s important is that sometimes in this part of the world you’ve got to get things done yourself, to get what’s needed for yourself.

On the west coast of Australia, the Perth Public Transport Authority (PTA) was due to update its aging articulated bus fleet - a range of Renaults and Mercedes-Benz buses articulated buses that first went into service between 1987 and 1989. Yet with the rapid advancement in cleaner-running engines that have hit the global market in the past 20-odd years or so, it needed

to have the latest and greatest stuff to meet the high standards expected and demanded by the West Australian Government and the city’s thousands of commuters. The beauty of it was, although the legal emissions standard in Australia currently is only Euro5, the PTA wanted to go above and beyond the minimum required and that meant stringent Euro6 – the best you can get at present worldwide.

Currently, the only Euro6 buses running on Australian roads are those operated by the Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION) - but they are rigid buses and it was ‘artics’ that the PTA had on the cards. Yet Euro6 artics are an acquired taste around the world currently, with many manufacturers opting to run such a body length coupled to the latest hybrid or perhaps fully electric power-trains.

The PTA asked the question of Volvo Bus Australia – with which it a long-standing bussupply agreement – and the local company here was not found wanting. Well, that’s the easy description of how it all panned out. What it actually entailed was a lot of internal wheeling and dealing at a time when Volvo Bus HQ in Sweden had expressly stated its intention to roll out hybrid bus technology en mass by 2017. In fact, it was only recently that it announced 28

articulated hybrid buses are now transporting passengers around Budapest, Hungary - the largest ever order for the Volvo 7900 Articulated Hybrid.

At a recent Perth launch of the first of 70 new 350hp Euro6 diesel Volvo B8RLEA articulated 18-metre buses – matched to Volgren Optimus bodies – State Transport Minister Dean Nalder was delighted to announced the Government had invested $58.5 million over the next five years for such a project.

“Currently the Australian Capital Territory is the only State or Territory to have Euro6 buses,” Mr Nalder said.

“This investment really puts Western Australia miles ahead of other States when it comes to delivering clean, reliable and efficient public transport. In addition, the bus you see today is actually a world first for Volvo. This is the first time they’ve produced an articulated bus that meets Euro6 standards.

“Articulated buses can carry more than 100 people and are typically used on some of Perth’s busiest bus routes, for major events, and as rail replacement services for planned disruptions. These new buses will not only be roomy and fully air-conditioned, but they will be low-floor vehicles, meaning they will be wheelchair accessible.”

“...delivering clean, reliable and efficient public transport.”

Volvo’s B8R chassis - in the flesh.

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1 Funky Optimus front LEDS. Love it!

2 Now the ‘backseat heavs’ will be

sitting waaaaay back.

3 Caged fury? At least the drivers are

well protected.

4 No Red Hot Chilli Pepper, but the

BR8LEA is definitely ‘under the bridge’.

1 3 2

Still great rear length by using the MAN twinaxle chassis.

4

And although the Volvo chassis was manufactured overseas, the Minister was quick to point out that local Volgren staff assembled the vehicle body in Perth.

“This order of new articulated buses has meant Volgren has been able to employ another 15 staff here at their Malaga facility,” Minister Nalder said.

“They also needed to expand the size of the factory by about a third so they had enough

space to do all the work.”

Speaking exclusively to Coach & Bus magazine, PTA Fleet manager Paul Burke further explained: “We have a total of 100 articulated buses in the PTA bus fleet. Our initial order with Volvo is part of this bus-supply contract, so the first 30 they gave us were Euro5 B12BLEAs – and at the time of taking those, they were the last of that [model] that Volvo was bringing into Australia,” he said.

“This is the culmination of a two-year project, so these weren’t just dreamed up in the last six months or so. This has been ongoing since we took delivery of the first 30 B12s [end 2011/2012]. So back during our 2010 tender, our objective was to replace that whole artic fleet over a 10-year period.

“Traditionally, articulated buses used to represent about 10 per cent of our fleet; it doesn’t any more as it’s down to about seven

to eight per cent. So our fleet number hovered around the 1000 mark for a long time, but now has increased to around 1400, but we are not going above the 100 for artics, so that percentage has eroded over time. The 100 now represents a lesser portion of the articulated versus rigid buses in our fleet.”

So why artics and not just more rigid buses, or even choose from the slew of choice doubledecker options going around?

“Double deckers don’t work for us, in terms of infrastructure mainly, like workshops and depots and things like that, so there’s just too many alterations we’d have to make at this point of time. Being a Government-run organisation we often get driven from above, but our infrastructure doesn’t support doubledeck buses.

“For the 100 articulated buses we always wanted to replace with this contract meant 30 of them were Volvo B12s and the 70 that we’ve

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Easy access? You can’t go wrong.

It’s so clean you could eat off it - kind of.

3 Volvo’s 7.7-litre Euro6 D8K engine is good for 350hp.

4 A soon to be more common sight around the streets of beautiful Perth.

1 2

1

2

3 4

BUS SPECS MAKE: Volvo B8R MODEL: LEA (Low Entry) ENGINE: Euro6 Volvo D8K, 7.7-litre, six-cylinder, in-line diesel with common-rail injection. Power 350hp; Torque - 1400Nm. Exhaust: One-box muffler design, automatic regeneration of DPF without driver involvement under normal conditions.

TRANSMISSION: Volvo I-Shift automated gearchanging system or automatic transmission from ZF or Voith. All transmissions available with integrated retarder.

CHASSIS: Precision-built, low-weight, durable carbon steel frame SUSPENSION: Front axle - Volvo RFS-Low beam axle, rear axle - Volvo’s single reduction axle; Tag axle – Hydraulically steered with optimised ratios; Electronically controlled air suspension with kneeling function; Electrically powered hydraulic steering BRAKES: Volvo electronically controlled disc brakes (EBS); Brake Blending function WHEELS/TYRES: Steel or aluminium rims; Front 275/70 R22.5-inch, rear - 295/80 R22.5-inch INTERIOR: Volgren Optimus (100 passengers including 57 seated) MISC.: Fuel tanks - Diesel 220-410L, Ad Blue 30L, 48L; New adjustable dashboard and adjustable steering wheel, new Volvo instrument cluster with enhanced HMI.

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just started taking delivery of are the B8Rs. Those 100 buses are simply replacing older buses, bus for bus. Those ones are older, they are pre-Euro, they are non-DDA complaint. The older buses weren’t always Volgren bodied.

Some of them were local manufactured such as Bolton,” he added.

With the PTA having a contract with Volvo/ Volgren there was hope the alliance could come to the party and supply a Euro6 diesel articulated bus – though it’s not exactly a product you can purchase off the European shelf. Fortunately, for all involved, Volvo Bus Australia was able to order in what was required and spec it as needed, co-ordinating with Volgren to ensure a sound-performing and great-looking bus would eventually be delivered onto the streets of Perth. So with the first one currently in service, how’s it all going thus far?

“The feedback from our drivers has been very good,” explained Burke. “Performance wise the bus is doing everything we ask of it.

The age of massive-horsepower engines are rapidly declining in most forms of transport, so an ‘8-litre engine’ if you said that 10 years ago most people would just laugh you off the stage;

you just wouldn’t get a look-in. But these days people are focussed on emissions and fuel economy and if it fits the purpose. So a bus is a bus. Our average speed here in Perth is around 25km/h, which is typical, so when you are talking about providing a service to passengers and the average speed is only 25km/h it’s hard to argue why you need a bigger engine. You don’t need to overkill it,” he added.

“The PTA doesn’t dictate what major players like the Mercedes, or Volvo or MANs around the world need to do, the market dictates that.

And the market is looking for fuel economy, emissions performance – and we are basically just a consumer of that product,” he said.

So what about the biggest judges and critics – the general public? Have they been full of praise or ‘narkily’ picking on anything, as is often the case with any new product implemented by a government for public use it seems.

“In this game, mate, if you don’t hear anything that means you are going really, really well,” Burke quipped cheekily. “If you hear a lot then there’s obviously a lot of problems. So in terms of feedback that we are getting [on the B8RLEA] it’s all positive. Often the drivers

“...there was hope the alliance could come to the party and supply a Euro6 diesel artic.” don’t know the difference if they are in that one or a B12, so the feedback so far today has been very good, performance very good, fuel economy very good.

“We’ve come to know the Volgren/Volvo product very well. We are halfway through this major bus-supply contract and prior to that we had a contract with Mercedes and Volgren, so the Volgren product is well established in Perth.

In terms of maintenance and familiarity with the product it’s very good for the depot - there are no real issues.

“It is the Optimus body from Volgren’s updated product range of 18 months to two years ago, and we have about 180-200 Optimus rigid buses, so again there’s a lot of familiarity with that product and knowing what the changes are in terms of the bodykit. And Volvo has done a pretty good job introducing the new chassis product, as well. There’s been training for all the maintenance staff over here and it’s been well received.

“So while it’s early days - I don’t think the bus has had its first service yet – it’s been so far so good,” Burke said.

Volvo Bus Australia itself is wrapped in the

achievement and general manager Sean Copeland was chuffed to point out what such a product means to Volvo, both here and abroad.

“It was extremely important for Volvo to secure this business as it continues our longterm relationship with the PTA. It gave us the opportunity to produce a world first and to show that Volvo was dedicated to producing an innovative solution that met the requirements of the PTA,” he explained.

“This won’t be the only sale of this product in the Australian market. Operators across Australia want to maximise passenger numbers and an articulated bus is one of the best ways to do this in an efficient manner,” he added confidently.

So with the PTA and Volvo/Volgren contracted to each other, was there scope that the objective could have been met elsewhere?

“To my knowledge I don’t think any of our competitors offer a Euro6 articulated bus in the Australian market and the major benefit of our product is that it was specifically designed to operate under Australian conditions; we focused on safety and fuel efficiency,” he said.

“The current chassis combination for the

B8RLEA is unique to the Australian market and, at this stage, it is not offered outside of the Australian market.”

In terms of any modifications and getting the chassis ready for local Australian conditions, Copeland says the entire chassis package was designed and produced in Boras, Sweden - although Volvo Bus Australia did do three months of customisation with the first prototype to ensure the product met PTA design requirements and performance optimisation.

A feature Volvo also introduced to the new B8RLEA is electric power steering. This allows for excellent steering responsiveness and creates an additional fuel saving initiative, with the electrically powered pump independently mounted, according to Volvo Bus. The pump is located at the front of the bus and eliminates the need for extensive power steering piping throughout.

Overall, it’s a locally driven initiative that meets the needs of a demanding Australian customer and, who knows? It may just have given Volvo Bus in Europe an unexpected extra product option for other global markets, if such is ever needed.

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Operator

Photography: Stuart Grant

KING SIZED RED

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One of the largest tourism coach operators in Australia just bought a stack of Scania vehicles for doing some tough work in The Red Centre in comfort and style. How do they fit under the AAT Kings’ crown? Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter decided to find out.

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O

chre-coloured landscape punctuated by seemingly continuous tufts and bumps of green hem the morphing shadows and darkness, sunrise to sunset. It stretches eerily out into the distance, trapped by an horizon that’s blighted endearingly by a rock. And a bloody big ‘rock’ it is, our Uluru.

Complicit in its ancient omnipresence with surrounding natural beauty features, they enchantingly woo a mesmerised onlooker’s attention and imagination for what seems like nothing short of aeons at a time – such is the sense of awe.

Smack bang in the middle of the Northern Territory’s ‘Red Centre’ desert, the iconic Australian sandstone monolith (that’s probably just fancy talk for ‘big red rock’, right? Right?) is a tourist mecca – attracting anywhere from 400,000 to a cool million visitors each year, aficionados say. And with the nearest large town of Alice Springs being a mere 450km away, you don’t have to be Scooby-Do to work out that luxury high-end coaches are the way forward when it comes to transporting the bulk of such people back and forth around the place to the magnificent 700-million-year-old sacred indigenous site.

And with it being located within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – which also encompasses the famous 36 red-rock ‘boulders’ known as ‘The Olgas’ (Some smart science type will probably correct their mis-labelling as boulders, no doubt), there’s even more distance and justification to soak it all in while travelling on a comfy, modern coach.

One of the leading luxury coach operators in Australia and New Zealand is AAT Kings - with more than 85 years of experience. It specialises in transporting tourists on day tours, short breaks and guided tours to such amazing places all over Australasia – and beyond, for that matter, given the company’s part in a formidable global travel alliance called The Travel Corporation.

As the company states, the AAT Kings story began in 1912 when the Pyke family pioneered coach touring in Australia. Starting with self-drive car-hire in seven-seater vehicles in Sydney, it expanded to guided sightseeing tours. By the 1960s the company, then known as AAT, had become Sydney’s largest tour operator and, in the 1980s, it teamed up with pioneering adventurer Bill King’s Northern Safaris, which ultimately led to the creation of AAT Kings.

In terms of its fleet, which is spread around both countries, it’s not only the newest on

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Australian and New Zealand roads, but also one of the more diverse with 46-, 50-, 29-, 25- and 16-seater luxury vehicles, ranging from trusted brands like Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Isuzu and Toyota, AAT Kings states.

It has consciously invested in a varied fleet, to give the flexibility to run a diverse range of itineraries and touring styles. On extended journeys the comfort of its larger coaches is essential, whereas its mini coaches are perfect for tours to areas that require more flexibility and are less accessible, it’s stated. For example, in the NT it operates a fleet of different vehicles including 29-, 46- and 50-seater coaches, seven mini coaches and three custom 4WDs. Each of its coaches are serviced by its full-time team of in-house experienced mechanics.

Periodic fleet updating is part of AAT Kings’ ethos, which saw it in 2005 investing more than AU$17 million into its luxury coach fleet, taking delivery of 32 specially designed stateof-the-art Mercedes-Benz coaches. And in 2009, it invested another AU$2.5 million for an additional four specially designed Scania coaches allocated to its Guided Tours, featuring the latest technology and safety features.

Continuing the investment, in 2010, an additional AU$1.2 million was spent purchasing two more new vehicles, with a commitment for a further investment of AU$3.6 million in 2011.

Interestingly, it’s been running two ‘open-top’ double-deckers in Sydney for the past six months. These use Detroit running gear and a Denning body. Melbourne, Sydney and Perth are running these AAT Kings open-top doubledeck City buses.

Most recently, though, it snapped up 11 new Coach Concepts-bodied coaches on Scania chassis for use in the Red Centre, as pictured here in these stunning photos.

Speaking to AAT Kings managing director Anthony Hayes, Coach & Bus magazine asked him how have the Scania-based coaches been performing to date around Uluru given the tough outback conditions.

“Service and safety are always our main priorities, so our Scania coaches are well suited to our business at Uluru. We require coaches that can perform in all types of conditions, from extreme heat to extreme cold, with plenty of dust in between. We can offer our guests a very reliable five-star experience at Uluru and elsewhere throughout the Outback because of our choice of vehicle.”

So what attracted AAT Kings to more Scania product?

“Very simply, value for money. Scania coaches

Comfortable, reliable transport and stunning backdrops - you can’t go wrong.

Scania supplied 11 chassis to AAT Kings for its latest order. All are K 440 EB 6x2*4 chassis with an overall length of 14.5m and all have steerable tag axles. Seven of the vehicles are fitted with Coach Concepts bodies; the others are Coach Design bodies.

“[the fleet] is not only the newest on Australian and New Zealand roads, but also one of the more diverse.”

The Scania and Coach Concepts product - leaving a ‘rooster’s tail’ of dust in its wake.

GLOBAL ALLIANCE So who’s got AAT Kings’ back?

The Travel Corporation is a highly successful international travel group with more than 25 award-winning brands. These include luxury hotels and boutique river cruise ships, niche tour operators and other leisure interests. The company is family-run and has been in business for four generations over nine decades. Since it is privately-owned

and financially independent, the company takes a long-term vision and strategy to its brands, with an ethos of attention to detail in all aspects of its business, it’s stated.

The Travel Corporation’s guiding principle is one of providing holidays and experiences of a lifetime, with an uncompromising service, experience and value to each and every customer.

Operating in 60 countries, on five continents, with more than 35 offices and more than 4000 team members, the multi-cultural vibrancy of this global business ensures a robust and dynamic future, it’s claimed.

According to the company: “An important part of this future is our commitment to the sustainable tourism, which we display both

through responsible business practices, as well the many initiatives supported through The Travel Corporation TreadRight Foundation.

Other known brands include: Contiki, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Uniworld, Brendan Vacations, African Travel, Aussie Adventures and Busabout Freestyle Europe to name a few.

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The 440hp, six-cylinder Scania engine is said to be very frugal and offers plenty of torque low down, for effortless driving over long distances.

WHEN WE WERE KINGS...

1912 - Pyke family, led by Colonel Pyke began the first daily route from Sydney to Blue Mountains.

1920s - Due to the success of this daily Blue Mountains venture, the Government intervened and the first bus tour operator license (Touring Vehicle 001) was assigned. This license is still held by AAT Kings.

1920s - Pyke family expanded, offering guided tours to Katoomba and Jenolan Caves in seven-seater cars.

1935 - Pykes introduced 14-seater coaches to Katoomba and Jenolan Caves tours.

1945 - Grenda’s Bus service founded in October when George Grenda purchased four routes from Shaves Bus services in Dandenong.

1967 - Bill King launched Bill King’s Northern Safaris.

1973 - Grenda’s Bus service purchased Blue Line Tourist Coaches Sydney.

1975 - AAT Coachlines was formed in July by a TAA and Mayne Nickless joint venture with the purchase and amalgamation of Pykes Tours, Grenda’s Melbourne coach operations and Grenda’s Blue Line Tourist Coaches Sydney.

1980 - AAT Coachlines purchased Bill King’s Northern Safaris in December and tours were operated as Bill King’s Australian Adventure Tours.

1983 - AAT Coachlines was purchased

by Mayer Page and Geoff McGeary, proprietors of Australian Pacific Touring (APT).

1984 - AAT Kings was formed with amalgamation of Grand Central Tours, Bill King’s Australian Adventure Tours and AAT Coachlines (formed in 1975).

1985 - Bill King parted ways with Page and McGeary in September.

1993 - AAT and APT split in June, with Page taking control of AAT Kings and McGeary Australian Pacific Touring.

1997 - AAT Kings was purchased by The Travel Corporation.

1999 - AAT Kings began operations in New Zealand.

2012 - AAT Kings purchased APT’s Day Tours and Short Breaks.

2013 - AAT Kings in October undergoes significant re-branding, launching new focus and tag-line “Bringing Australia & New Zealand to life”.

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“...all types of conditions, from extreme heat to extreme cold, with plenty of dust in between.” are renowned for their outstanding operating economy, world-class chassis, safety and technology. The coaches are all equipped with excellent driveability, road handling and outstanding fuel economy and have the best engines for the environment we operate within Australia.”

Asked what was the general feedback from customers regarding the quality of coaches AAT Kings uses, Hayes said: “The general feedback from guests is the very high standard of coaches used for our Touring programmes. They like the fact they can sit back in comfort and let our Driver Guides showcase the beauty of Australia.

Getting into one of our Scania coaches is an amazing experience. Why? Because there is no substitute for quality and straight away

our guests feel relaxed knowing they are travelling with the best with AAT Kings.”

Hayes adds that what makes a great coachtravel company, what sets it apart from its competitors and why travellers should look for this are: “We have the newest fleet of vehicles in Australia and only operate the highest quality of coaches. We ensure comfort and safety is our number one priority for our guests and that all our drivers are professionally trained. But more than that, it’s the personality of our people that makes all the difference. We invite our guests to ‘come and share Australia with us’ because we know Australia better than anyone else. We want our guests to see Australia and New Zealand come to life while putting a smile on their faces.”

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MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE AND ANDBUS BUS EXPO EXPO

AUSTRALIA’S COACHEXPO EXPO 2015!

AUSTRALIA’SONLY ONLYBUS BUS AND AND COACH IN IN 2015!

MELBOURNE JULY8 AND 8 AND 9, 2015 MELBOURNEEXHIBITION EXHIBITION CENTRE CENTRE JULY 9, 2015

Register now for the Australasian industry’s leading exhibition, conference and networking event, combined all under one roof at Australia’s premier expo venue. The exhibition space is almost full and the programme has been released; this event will deliver unprecedented quality and value for all that attend.

• 15,000m2 of event space.

• Maintenance, technical & management conference sessions and workshops delivered within the exhibit.

• Ample amount of time for delegates to interact with over 150 leading industry suppliers and be brought up to date with the latest products, services and developments.

• Catering and networking events held within the exhibit.

• Premium keynote speakers and entertainers as part of the 2 day conference programme including: Mark Donaldson VC, Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson, Kate Ceberano and James Galea.

• Industry gala dinner held at Crown Palladium on July 8, and networking dinner at Munich Brauhaus on July 9.

Technical • • • • • • •

Programme Highlights

Fuel and fuel injection systems.

General OEM workshop education panels.

Safe workshop operations and manual handling.

Workshop manager and mechanic open forum.

Kangan Automotive Centre of Excellence Tour.

Air conditioning maintenance and service.

Transmissions: Technology; diagnosis; servicing; and repair.

• How to systematise electric fault finding.

• BIC Technical Update: Bus Fires, Vehicle Mass and Tyres.

Management

• Network service planning: Transport’s role in enhancing productivity and liveability in Victoria by 2050.

• Completing your Accreditation application.

• Data and information management and use.

• Chain of Responsibility.

• IR: The PVTA 2014.

• Mental health workplace initiatives.

• Fatigue management for supervisors.

• Using telematics to your advantage.

• Economic and financial services update.

For registration and further information, visit www.busvic.asn.au or contact Craig Spurr on (03) 9914 7011 or cspurr@busvic.asn.au

Operator

BEYOND THE REDLINE Tasmania’s largest private transport operator – Redline Coaches – has been around servicing the Apple Isle for more than 80 years. With the recent acquisition of new artic buses for its formidable fleet it’s planning its present-day business model well - for now and beyond. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter checks out the map of Tassie.

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conic ’80s ‘Straya’ rock band Australian Crawl may not have been too flattering when describing the early antics of one the State’s most famous sons, Errol Flynn, in the hit song aptly named after him, but those who know anything about Tasmania will confirm its awesomeness and beauty is arguably second to none.

Anything else is arguably just based out of pure jealousy, where other States – although harbouring equally stunning natural backdrops and friendly folk - often find it hard to beat its low-traffic and low-pollution conditions. Oh, don’t get all bloody narky about it! Deep, deep down you know it’s true – but don’t get upset as such is the benefit a lower population base and less emissions to deal with. And we are all part of the same country, so it’s all good.

Hmm, so with all that natural serenity to take in from the beautiful Isle, surely tourism has got to be right up there as one of the main moneymaking industries for that State – and it is.

According to Tourism Tasmania, for the year ending December 2014 there were 1,068,100 visitors - up 3 per cent from 1,033,600 for the previous year. The total nights spent by visitors in the state increased by 4 per cent to 9.31 million and, perhaps most importantly for those with vested interests, visitor expenditure increased by 11 per cent to a mammoth AUD$1.757 billion. The number of interstate visitors to Tasmania increased by 2 per cent to 918,600 (it was 897,200).

Phew! And with award-winning, world-class whiskey being made there surely the amount of visitors is bound to increase – well, at least by

one. Not mentioning any names (not sure why 1960s Motown R&B duo Sam & Dave’s ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ song is now in the mind, but it is what it is).

The point is Tassie tourism is massive and one of the best ways to check out Tasmania is by bus and coach, be it inter-city transport or along winding, picturesque highways to take it all in.

Tasmania’s own Redline Coaches is the State’s biggest operator and has been providing a passenger service to Tasmania for four generations now and celebrated 80 years in business in 2013. And you don’t stick around that long unless you are doing something right.

Said Rowan Larissey, director: “We have found many things that are vital in this business, but I believe that there are three

Matt Rowe on the left (driver of one of the vehicles), and Rowan Larissey on the right.

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things that separate a ‘good’ bus company apart from a ‘great’ one. It is very important to have a dedicated management structure in the business, so that the direction is clear for all to follow.”

“Having motivated and focussed coach drivers are always important, as they are the person who the customer spends the majority of their time with.

“And being able to develop a timetable that not only suits from an operational perspective, but also caters for the customer volume demands,” Larissey added.

So it all can’t be smooth sailing – or make that driving. What have been some of the dramas that the company has had to overcome or deal with in the bad times?

“Being that we have been in the transport business for over 80 years we have obviously encountered many hurdles throughout that time including: deregulation by the government, reduction in tourists due to cheap overseas holiday packages, and increasing perception by the drivers for driver training programmes to comply with the increased government red tape put on us,” he explained.

Redline Coaches also has self-drive mini coaches. The company is involved in both

charter services and regular routes from Tasmania’s three largest cities: Burnie to Launceston, Launceston to Hobart and Smithton to Burnie. In addition, Redline also offers student services for the north and south of the State, including inter-campus services for University of Tasmania (UTAS) students, as well as Hobart airport transfers. The company also offers coaches for conferences, tours, charters and provides special services including wheelchair access coaches. Its fleet includes five-star coaches ranging from 10-seaters through to 69-seaters.

Tasmanian Redline Coaches Pty Ltd is committed to providing a service to people with a disability consistent with the objectives and requirements of the DDA and Transport standards, the company states. For persons with a disability requiring wheelchair access on main road services between Smithton, Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart as with all passengers - a booking is required 48 hours prior. Services between Deloraine and Launceston and between Dodges Ferry and Hobart both operate with low floor ramp access vehicles on all services.

Only recently did the company purchase two Bon Luck (BLK) 18-metre articulated

buses for inclusion into its fleet, for northern Tasmania – being brought into Tasmania by a private bus company. The new coaches have American Cummins engines mated to Allison automatic transmissions, climate control, 80 seating positions - including dedicated wheelchair positions - and vehicle kneeling at the passenger entrance for ease of access for the elderly and the disabled. Local drivers Mel Williams and Matt Rowe will operate the new articulated fleet.

“We are an ever growing company and there seems to be more and more emphasis on the Disabled Access coaches (DDA compliant).

Similar vehicles to the artics have already been trialled in the southern end of the state on general access runs with great success. These were three BLK low-floor 12.5-metre coaches, which were run in the Dodges Ferry to Hobart corridor and they have been performing extremely well,” said Larissey.

“We are happy with the product. The Chinese bodies seem to be handling the rough, uneven roads and countryside without a problem. And who can fault the tough American running gear that makes them reliable?” he added.

“The two drivers have taken the vehicles on as their own and are very pedantic with the

“The number of interstate visitors to Tasmania [2014] increased by 2 per cent to 918,600.”

The school kids love seeing their mates in the other part of the bus as it goes around a bend.

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LEADING THE WAY cleanliness and general appearance of the vehicles both inside and out. The vehicles have been on the road now for nearly three months and Mel and Matt are adapting well to the extra length over their previous BLK vehicles. Mel is based out of Deloraine and says that he is very surprised with the vehicle quality and how well they travel on the challenging country roads of Tasmanian.”

“The Redline commuters love the vehicles, with ease of access and that brand-new smell to them. As for the children that travel on them they just can’t stop talking about being able to see their friends in the front part of the coach as they are going around corners. Both vehicles are fitted with two air conditioning units, eight security cameras for the driver’s/ customer’s safety, and a raised rear floor to allow luggage storage bins under the coaches for that additional luggage or oversized items. The ‘Launcestonians’ are amazed with the 18-metre vehicles, as they are the only articulated coaches in the city of Launceston,” he explained.

“It was a big decision for us to expand into the articulated type of vehicle as our company has never had anything to do with these previously. The artics have proven to suit our

business structure very well and could see more being purchased in the near future given the suitability of certain drivers and corridors that we currently service,” Larissey added.

Redline currently holds long-term contracts for both the Launceston and Hobart Airport corridors in Tasmania. As the aircraft coming to Tasmania aren’t of great size, Mitsubishi Rosas have proven adequate for not only the size of the plane, but also the areas the company drops off and picks up customers from. Even though not all of the ‘Airporter’ buses are mini buses, the majority of them are 24-seat Rosas, Larissey says.

Shuttle buses operate between Launceston and Hobart accommodations (including The Casino and University) and the airport for every departure and arrival. The shuttle departs outside the terminal after the arrival of every flight, transferring passengers to the city.

So what does the future hold for Redline in the next 80 years – or the next eight at least?

“This is a bit hard for us to answer, as we don’t really know the future of the bussing industry; it is restricted to the government spending on roads/highways and the amount of funding allocated for public transport,” Larissey replied.

Redline has developed its own computerised ticketing reservations system and owns and operates its own maintenance centre including bodyworks, upholstery department and a 22-metre spray paint booth. The company, through a strategy of sound rationalisation and management, has become a success story, operating a fleet of coaches in all major centres of Tasmania, performing extended tours, conventions, VIP day tours, commuter and school contract services.

In 2007 it entered into the Family Business Australia and won the Third Generation category of Tasmanian Family Business of the Year Award.

Tasmania’s own Redline hold the state contracts for: Murray’s Australia; A.P.T. Touring Coaches; Hawks Football Club; A.F.L. Tasmania; Victory League Soccer; Australian Maritime College; Government General Access and School Services.

From 2009 the main general access service coaches have been the below “B.L.K.” vehicles with the CAT (C-9) engines - one of which has now covered 950,000km. These Chinesebuilt vehicles, with their American running gear, are proving their wealth to the company, it’s stated. Redline’s fleet has 26 BLKs, all 2009-2012 models.

FIRST STEPS...

Percy Larissey started in the transport industry in 1933 trading as P.J. Larissey & Son, operating the daily bus service from Cressy to Launceston and return. This vehicle was manufactured in his own shed out the backyard on a Chev Maple Leaf truck body.

Percy’s son, Frank, then further expanded the business and registered the company as Redline Coaches Pty Ltd in 1963. With 12 takeovers from 1968 – 1988 the bus division grew to a massive 120 coaches.

Michael Larissey, Frank’s son, has been involved in the business since 1963 and has worked in the family business from the age of 9 and is currently the managing director of the company.

Rowan Larissey (fourth generation), Michael’s son, has now also joined him in the family business after completing his Bachelor of Business degree at university. He hopes to be able to continue the transport business, as it is evident it too runs in his blood.

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Event Preview

BUSWORLD KORTRIJK, 2015

One of the bigger, if not the biggest, bus and coach shows on the planet just got a little bit bigger. And that’s not including the other huge ones it does in new, emerging global markets. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter has a quick preview look.

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When it comes to putting on a good show, they don’t hang about. Much...

Busworld is the scene of so many product debuts.

Hundreds of exhibitors set up shop at the show.

Starving? There’ll be plenty of delicious food to munch on, for sure.

Hardly Metallica, but maybe the next best thing.

The Coach of the Year award is an eagerly anticipated industry announcement.

“...it’s a mammoth show and more Australasians have

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here are bus shows and then there are bus shows – and in Belgium every two years there is an absolute monster called Busworld Kortrijk.

Here, the latest and greatest in all things bus and coach either make their debuts or get a really good looking at by thousands of punters who have travelled the globe, eager to snap it up and soak it all in.

Ever since Coach & Bus magazine started we’ve been banging on about it as it’s that good, so we’ll be bringing you regular updates to whet your ‘bussie’ appetite in future.

To be held from 16 October, 2015, expanded premises are testimony to the ever-growing size and scope of the event and that’s aside from its other big shows now held in China and India, to name just a few.

According to organisers, since the demand for space was even more intense than for the 2013 edition, Mieke Glorieux, director of Busworld Kortrijk, added 3000m² to the temporary pavilions, Hall 8 and 9. These pavilions are constructed especially for Busworld Kortrijk every two years and are

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situated at the second main entrance ‘North’.

They are constructed on permanent hard standing, fully serviced and connected to Halls 1, 2 and now also 3. They are at least as good as the permanent halls and they have daylight, it’s stated. And there’s even a cool video on www.youtube.com of its construction – and it’s quite impressive.

Organisers add that the European Coach & Bus Week (ECW) will take place from Saturday, 10 October, and ends with the announcement of the winners on Wednesday 14 during the Busworld press conference. All manufacturers are invited to participate with their most innovative vehicles in the two categories: bus or coach. In each category, they can win a Grand Award and best of category labels in ‘Safety’, ‘Comfort & Ergonomy’, ‘Styling & Design’, ‘Ecology’ and ‘Innovation’. The rules and regulations can be downloaded from the new Busworld Kortrijk website http://kortrijk. busworld.org/ The seminar section, called Busworld Academy, will also be highly active during Busworld Kortrijk 2015. Topics covered will

include: How will our mobility be organised in 2020 and what will the role of buses be? What does the bus of the future look like? We’ll learn about the vision of the manufacturers, the operators and the authorities on the future of bus and coach technology and services. Plus the Busworld Academy organises several high-level debates, roundtables and seminars about safety, sustainability and comfort of buses and coaches.

The preliminary programme on the Busworld Academy is available on the website.

Overall, it’s a mammoth show and more Australasians have put it on their ‘must visit’ agendas over the years, given the size and scale of it and just how much new product and key manufacturers it attracts.

We’ll be bringing you the latest on how it all panned out soon. It should be a good-un.

Busworld started in 1971 and is held every two years in Kortrijk, Belgium. With more than 40 years of experience it is the oldest and biggest specialised bus and coach exhibition globally (no other commercial vehicles present), it’s stated. In 2001, Busworld went worldwide and it now has four sister exhibitions.

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put it on their ‘must visit’ agendas over the years.”

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New Product

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Photography: Cristian Brunelli

CLASS TRANSFER

The hotly contested small-bus segment is about to get even hotter with Daimler Bus finally landing the first of its latest ‘Mini-Bus’ range into Australia. With a variety of models to come, we check out the classy Transfer-based 16-seater ‘fresh off the boat’. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter reports.

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here’s something hot-cross bun-ish about the small-bus market in Australia right now. They are surely called that because of the ‘branding’ they get when freshly baked, but it may as well be because they are such hot-ticket selling items that even months before Easter the supermarkets hock the tasty treats to shoppers left, right, and centre – then seemingly run out when Easter is actually on. Typical. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but the point is bus operators all over Australasia year ‘round – and other non-bus companies looking for such a vehicle - seem to be keenly watching for and wanting what new small-bus product comes out to add to their fleets.

Presumably, such a vehicle offers operators immeasurable flexibility in terms of the many roles they can perform. And add in modern running gear and technological underpinnings, plus solid manufacturer support, and it usually spells a great investment for many businesses as a key piece of capital equipment, so an array of manufacturers are happy to tap into that demand.

More than 18 months ago, as far back as issue 10 of Coach & Bus magazine, we reported on Daimler’s Asia-Pacific arm heralding the coming of a slew of new Sprinter-based ‘Mini-buses’, and that was about six months before the big

Germany marque held a showcase event in Melbourne end 2013 to give punters a first-hand, touchy-feely, squish-your-face-up-hard-againstthe-windcreen look at what it will be offering as its local Mini-bus range. And, fast forward to mid-2015, the first ‘Transfer 45’ – to be promoted here under Daimler’s localised ‘Airport’ banner – is finally in our midst.

From first impressions it’s not a bad-looking bit of kit, as is the range as a whole really, and it’s probably just what the clinical psychologist ordered for a market gagging for such a vehicle.

Though there is much choice for prospective buyers looking around, attention is turning to what MB has on offer now that Daimler Bus AsiaPacific has really set focus on it.

At the upcoming 2015 BusVic Expo and Conference in July, Daimler says it will have its full Mini-bus range on display, which is currently in full production. Following market preparation so that it meets ADRs, the company is quietly confident that as the only Mercedes-Benz factory-backed small bus product in Australia and New Zealand, it should strike a chord with the many ‘brand fans’ who’ve waited patiently to add such products to their fleets.

To be sold through its Bus division and through major-city MB commercial vehicle dealerships,

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the mini-buses will feature fully integrated air-conditioning systems and a host of other factory options.

“We are extremely excited by the imminent release. This range will be the only MercedesBenz factory-backed Mini Bus product available in Australia and New Zealand,” said general manager Justin Whitford.

“It is not a commercial van that has been adapted. It is a fully stand-alone product,” he added, vehemently.

Mercedes-Benz here intends to have four Mini-bus types – Transfer, City, Mobility and Travel - comprising no fewer than seven model variations and all made by MB Minibus GmbH in Dortmund, Germany.

These are the latest versions of their kind for Australia and offer a new look, new technology and tough Euro5 emissions standard. And, as such, the Transfer pictured here is quite a worthy ambassador for the breed.

A sharper profile of the Mini-bus front end gives an unmistakable look thanks to its more upright radiator grille with perforated, arrowshaped louvres, its more defined headlamps and the distinctive front bumper.

In terms of performance, the engines the Mini-buses have here are Euro5 - which meet Australian emissions standards at present.

The OM 651 four-cylinder CDI diesel engine comes in a range of power outputs - 70 kW, 95 kW and 120 kW - or the OM 642 V6 CDI diesel, for 140kW. Exhaust gas after-treatment helps reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxides in emissions, as does its BlueEFFICIENCY technology.

Class-leading safety comes via Crosswind Assist – the first Mini-bus this size to have such, says MB – which has enough smarts to calculate brake applications to counter any drifting off to the side of the road to keep things on course. And the Adaptive ESP handling system factors in load status to improve directional stability and traction in critical situations, says MB. The Transfer is seen by MB as a flexible all-rounder in the minibus range, suitable for regular inter-city and school bus services, shuttle operations and day trips. With a length of 7.36m, the Transfer Mini-bus is in the middle of this versatile series and should fit right at home in many a bus fleet.

Both inside and out, the Mini-bus Transfer is a classy affair. Good-sized luggage shelving rear and handy microphone up front - perfect for random tour guide karaoke, no doubt.

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“...the only Mercedes-Benz factory-backed Mini Bus product available in Australia and New Zealand.”

BUS SPECS MAKE: Mercedes-Benz MODEL: Transfer 45 ‘Airport’ Mini-bus ENGINE: Four-cylinder turbodiesel. Power - 120kW@3800rpm; Torque - 360Nm@12002400rpm TRANSMISSION: 7G-Tronic automatic SUSPENSION: Front - MB independent wheel suspension, Rear – MB parabolic springs MISC.: Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Assist and Collision Warning Assist

LET’S TALK ABOUT BUS! What began in 1998, with a minority shareholding in a niche manufacturer, has developed into a real success story thanks to systematic further development: today Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH is arguably the leading minibus manufacturer in western Europe. The 20,000th minibus was delivered mid-2014. At the same time Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The minibus segment has been an increasingly important role for Mercedes-Benz as a full-line manufacturer, the company states.

And while low passenger numbers are making profitable transport using large buses more difficult, “the hour has come for minibuses bearing the Mercedes star� it states.

The minibuses are now sold to more than 30 countries, the largest market continuing to be western Europe.

Customers in Australia, South-East Asia and the Middle East are, however, also part of the regular customer base for Dortmund.

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Future Proof

HOT AIR BUFFOONS?

Using compressed air to power vehicles might not be new, but why is it taking so long to be taken seriously? Or has it – and we just don’t all know it yet? Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter takes a deep breath before taking a look.

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t the 2013 Geneva Motorshow there would have been a whole stack of people gob-smacked and trying to lift their chins up from the ground while staring at a particular vehicle on the Peugeot Citroën (PSA) stand. And, no disrespect intended, it wasn’t because of how it looked – it was more about what was under its skin that counted: a hybrid compressed-air engine.

Those observers, though, would have been stuck in two camps – the ones who’d never thought that it was at all possible and instantly marvelled at the ground-breaking cost and

environmental savings to be had by using compressed air, and then there were those who kind of knew this technology existed before, but probably resigned that it must not have been any good otherwise why hadn’t it been used more extensively throughout the years. A fair way of thinking, perhaps.

Other than a couple of thousand sharks throughout history who have swum past bemused and giggled at the weird-looking scuba tanks on the backs of divers, it seems far too few have taken serious notice of the uses of compressed air, especially when it comes to making vehicles move.

Okay sure, it seems since the mid-19th Century it’s been used to propel all sorts of stuff from submarines to aeroplanes, then later even some trams in France - and an early 20th Century Anglo-American car was claimed to run 100 miles on ‘liquid air’. So what happened? Maybe everyone since then was just a little too intoxicated by fossil-fuel fumes that they didn’t really know about or notice these transport modes, let alone what date to throw out that beloved mouldy sandwich from at the back of the fridge - who knows?

So it was probably understandable how those at the Geneva Motorshow that year

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THE LEGO CAR Yep! You read that right. Inspired by the PSA idea, young Romanian inventor Raul Oaida must have been pretty bored to slap 500,000 LEGO pieces together to build a car, but he’s proven a point. The emissions-free vehicle proves what can be achieved using compressed air as essentially a one-man-band operation, in what’s got to be one heck of a lesson in perseverance.

He’s probably pretty good at big jigsaw puzzles, too, we reckon. Learn more at www.theadaptors.org

DI PIETRO MOTOR Probably the most exciting and though-provoking compressed-air development, aside form it being Australian, is the light weight and manageable size of the Di Pietro Motor (or Rotary Air Engine) – which one might describe as the Wankel Rotary engine equivalent to a reciprocating internal combustion engine.

Angelo Di Pietro, born 1950 In Italy, eventually moved to Stuttgart, Germany, to work on the Wankel engine at the Mercedes-Benz research laboratories 1969-1970.

Emigrating to Australia in 1971, he would work on various designs in trying to make a more efficient engine. In 1999, he made a major breakthrough with his compressedair motor. Learn more at www. engineair.com.au

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could stand in shock and awe at the little French vehicle that stood in front of them.

According to Citroen at the time, the Hybrid Air System combined compressed air and hydraulic power to deliver “breakthrough performance with fuel consumption of less than 3 litres/100km and no additional battery, for an even smaller environmental footprint; a more affordable price; and no impact on onboard space.”

It added: “This revolutionary technology is particularly well suited to models in the B and C segments, as well as LCVs.” Light Commercial Vehicles, huh? Now we are getting somewhere...

Hybrid Air relies on “proven” sub-systems and technologies: a PureTech petrol engine; a compressed-air energy storage unit; a hydraulic pump/motor unit; and an automatic transmission with an epicyclic gear train. Eighty patents were filed by the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group during the development process. An intelligent electronic management system manages input from the driver to optimise energy efficiency. Three operating modes are available: Air power - with zero emissions; Petrol power - using only the combustion engine; and Combined power - with the

combustion engine and hydraulic motor working together, explained PSA at debut.

Although the system in question used a Citroen C3 VTi 82 car as the ‘host’, there were perhaps indeed lessons being learned and potential trends being discussed as per the use of such tech for commercial vehicles, including – and perhaps most obviously and importantly - buses. At least smaller buses in the initial stages maybe.

Aside from the system’s claimed recordbreaking fuel consumption figures, the big difference was that the Hybrid Air technology uses no additional batteries, so it could be sold at an attractive price on both European and international markets. The technology operates at a constant level of efficiency, regardless of weather or driving conditions. It could be developed not only in Europe, but also on all the other markets “where the CITROËN brand is present”. Or such is how PSA sees it – but we’ll do some crystal-ball gazing and get back to who else is interested in such technology and what they are doing to tap into it. And why.

Add in it all being an essentially mechanical system that simplifies servicing operations and makes for easier recycling at the end of vehicle life, driving pleasure is achieved because of

What’s that saying? ‘Don’t knock it ‘til ya tried it!’ The MDI MultiBus concept raises all sorts of low-floor, multi-’articulated’, ‘Midibus’ possibilities.

“...particularly MDI’s very interesting compressed-air MultiBus concept.” lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions thanks to: an automatic gearbox and epicyclic gear train with no break in torque; improved performance, with the additional torque and power available in Combined mode; and a Stop&Start system using an alternator-starter, as PSA explains.

There’s also some pretty decent computing power involved, as expected, to co-ordinate which driving mode is needed, and when, as seamlessly as possible, but while how the petrol mode works is well known by most of us as per normal convention, the Air mode is the trick. When active, it works in the same way as ZEV mode on hybrid vehicles - the combustion engine is not used. The energy stored (compressed air) is transmitted to the wheels via the hydraulic motors and gearbox.

Depending on traffic, this mode will concern between 60 and 80 per cent of urban driving time, says PSA. Maximum use of deceleration and braking energy will ensure efficient ‘recharging’ of the compressed air unit - which acts like a big syringe, really, compressing and releasing the air (not to atmosphere!) as needed. This mode is active up to 70km/h.

In combined mode, the combustion engine and hydraulic motor work together. This mode is used particularly during pick-up and strong acceleration, with a significant boost effect (total power of up to 90kW) delivering a performance comparable to that of an engine in the next segment up.

The technology represents a massive reduction in its carbon footprint because when just compressing and using air, it becomes a zero-emissions vehicle. And that’s big news to many, so it is with great anticipation the world waits to see what happens with the vehicle’s predicted mass production from 2016. That said, industry rumours are that PSA is still looking for a corporate partner to share costs and profits from mass production, but curiously no-one’s stuck their hand up just yet. Presumably, they either can’t envision the future for it, or more likely they are racing to master something like it themselves. Worst case is that no-one’s really ready to abandon oil-based fuel sources just yet, for whatever financial reasons – so ‘air’ will have to wait.

Ultimately, if a big automotive entity like Peugeot Citroën can see merit in the technology, who else is thinking likewise and how could it all affect vehicle production?

Some will say it’s a big stretch, but the more you look at compressed-air engine technology and the cost and environmental savings, you start at ask why this wasn’t the way engine evolution followed long before. And some of the smaller players these days prove just what can – and could have – been achieved.

Overall, it’s not a foolproof science, but it’s something that could work out better than the electricity element being used to power, or in part help power, vehicles in future, so it could be well worth a serious look.

MDI – AIR MULTIBUS / TATA MOTORS In 1991, father and son team Guy and Cyril Negre of Motor Development International (MDI) in Luxembourg started producing perhaps the most-known small-scale-production compressed-air car called the AirPod. It eventually caught the attention of automotive giant TATA Motors of India, which in 2007 bought the licence to develop it there. A cheap (USD$10,000) low-emissions vehicle using compressed air? Sounds perfect for markets with big populations, so you get the picture. Doing a claimed 80km/h for a 150-200km range that’s plenty for inner city commuting. In 2012, TATA Motors announced that it had completed the proof of the technical concept and demonstration phase of its air-car programme and was now moving toward a marketready product. Come mid-2015, though, er … we are still waiting - particularly to see what comes of MDI’s very cool and interesting compressed-air Air MultiBus concept.

Learn more at www.mdi.lu

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Interview

60mins with...

Justin Whitford General manager, Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus, Asia-Pacific

A familiar face to us, Justin Whitford is now general manager of Daimler’s Truck and Bus divisions in Australia and beyond, and with some key new product coming into the market it was a perfect time to pick his brain about this exciting period for the global German brand. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter grilled him. And grilled him good. www.truckandbus.net.au 049

Q

Welcome again, Justin, to another Coach & Bus magazine 60 Minutes With... interview.

It’s good to have you back in our hot seat while you’re in your latest role as general manager Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus (Asia-Pacific). Firstly, how has it all been going? How is the team adapting to any changes implemented by managing director Daniel Whitehead and yourself?

JW: “It’s certainly been an extremely busy 12-month period with the alignment between the Bus and Truck Divisions, but with that said it has only increased the focus on the Australian market from our head office colleagues and, in turn, their support has also continued to grow. From a local perspective it has also delivered increased funding for additional customerfacing staff with a particular focus on key account management and technical support to service on-highway activities, which will further enhance our abilities in working closer with our customers. The team is reinvigorated and most importantly excited by what we can now achieve.”

Q. Speaking of the team, deepest condolences to the local Daimler Commercial Vehicles group with the tragic loss of industry stalwart Geoffrey Paradise, whom only recently had joined you all as Corporate Affairs manager. It was quite a loss...

JW: “It was incredibly sad. Although Geoff had not been with the organisation for a long period of time his influence and passion for the brand, and the industry, has certainly left an indelible mark that will remain. He delivered new standards and expectations in how we as an organisation should work with industry media. He was an incredible guy and a good friend. He will certainly be missed both professionally and personally.”

Q. How has the company philosophy of ‘Customer Dedication’, as outlined by Daimler AG in Germany, helped things here in Australia?

Has the arguably greater autonomy for various MB markets around the world, as in Australia, helped or hindered how the actual customer is being supported domestically, in terms of spare parts, maintenance

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and pricing? Are customers feeling more assured they will be in good hands here in the day to day of them doing bus business?

And, if so, why?

JW: “’Customer Dedication’ was the term utilised for an international restructure primarily targeting the realignment of reporting lines to ensure that the Head of Brand in each region of the world secured full management and responsibility for all customer-driven interactions and requirements. It has certainly delivered a far more customer-focused organisation and has significantly contributed to the rebuilding of the Mercedes-Benz business and culture for both the Bus and Truck Divisions in Australia and New Zealand.

We truly do now hold our destiny in our own hands and I certainly believe, from a customer’s perspective, that they are seeing the benefits.”

Q. Rumours are rifle the safety-laden and award-winning Citaro bus will be coming here en mass very soon. How far off are we and what was the result of the evaluation model brought into Australia late 2013, in terms of initial market feedback and expectation? What modifications, if any, would be needed for Australian market suitability, and or what hurdles have needed to be overcome?

JW: “We are certainly committed to introducing the Mercedes-Benz Citaro into the Australian Market and believe there is significant interest in the product driven by build quality, safety specifications, fuel efficiency and also due to the singleinvoice business model it presents. It is not our intention to introduce the Citaro into every segment of the Australian City Bus Market and believe there is still the opportunity for both the Mercedes-Benz Integral bus as well as the continuation of the chassis-body partnerships currently in place. Testing is planned with a number of bus operators throughout the country to ensure introduction is well planned and comprehensively researched. You only have one opportunity to get it right!”

Q. With the Citaro coming there’s got to be a few other key low-floor and articulated options at your disposal for shipping here.

There seems to be some quality coach kit

“...certainly committed to introducing the Citaro - and the single-invoice business model it presents..”

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throughout the Setra range, as well. What are your thoughts on such product potentially coming Down Under and, if they could, would it have the blessing from Daimler AG or are certain vehicles always intended just for certain markets and areas?

JW: “We, Mercedes-Benz Australia, are certainly driving the full agenda for all Mercedes-Benz-related product (including Setra) for the Australian/Pacific region, and any additional product requirements driven by our market, or in particular by our customers, would be considered. Our customers, and in particular our passengers and our drivers, deserve to have access to the safest buses and coaches in the world.

Such specifications include driver crash protection, electronic stability control, rollover full compliance, ABS, cornering assist and a range of other options that deliver the highest in safety standards.”

Q. Now, the midi-bus segment seems to be really taking off in Australia. Are MB’s Mini Bus vehicles well poised to tackle that market? After the late-2013 Melbourne MB showcase of the Mini Bus product, what will be available to Australia in terms of the high-end, luxury people-movers and how well equipped will MB in Australia be to support such a product? Why is the Mini Bus something that stands above competitors when there are so many quality midi-bus applications coming onto the market for customers even today?

JW: “The full Mercedes-Benz Mini Bus range is now in full production and will be on show at the BusVic Expo and Conference in July, 2015. We have undertaken an enormous amount of preparation work prior to the introduction of this range to ensure all models adhere to the Australian ADR rules and regulations. This has now been completed and we are extremely excited by the imminent release. This range will be the only Mercedes-Benz factory-backed Mini Bus product available in Australia and New Zealand, and will be sold directly through our Bus Division and major city MercedesBenz Commercial Vehicle dealerships.

The Mini Bus is designed and built for bus applications and the Australian operating environment. It is not a commercial van that has been adapted. It is a fully stand-alone product offering with complete integration of

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air conditioning with full cabin air distribution and all other factory options, which come with the Mercedes-Benz Bus brand.”

“...the only Mercedes-Benz factory-backed Mini Bus product available in Australia and New Zealand”

Q. The recent world debut of the ‘driverless’ Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 had more than a few gobsmacked at the implications of such technology on our roads in future, especially from a truck perspective. Human ‘pilots’, though, still seem to be in the big picture during the journey to ensure corresponding automatic systems can be deactivated or overridden at any time. So ‘driverless’ buses - inevitable fact or pure fantasy, would you say? And if so, what are the safety implications for the passengers and on-road pedestrians with not having someone steering all the time?

JW: “Whilst the concept of the driverless truck or bus promotes excitement and endless opportunity in day-to-day operation, it is some time off in reality. Risks associated with such applications certainly ensure the need for ‘pilots’, in the short term, to maintain safe operating conditions at all times. The use of the technology in particular applications, including mining sites, basic passenger movement etc may provide real opportunity, but when will that occur? I’m not sure.”

Q. There seems to be some reluctance worldwide for major bus players to abandon diesel-fuelled vehicles altogether. Given the emissions purity of diesel Euro6 in comparison to other standards, what more can be achieved in terms of the latest MB bus engines and will this be enough to stave off any global move for compulsory adaptation of such alternative-fuelled powerplants as electric, hybrid electric and CNG? JW: “The Daimler organisation invests billions of dollars world-wide in research and development focusing on a range of product enhancements including fuel efficiency and emission standards amongst many others, and the ongoing improvements in dieselfuelled vehicles has certainly reduced the performance variations from alternatively powered vehicles. However, ultimately, the global move to those alternative fuels will be driven by the consumers and until manufacturers deliver cost-effective and affordable options the move away from diesel may be limited.”

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Q. Many manufacturers I’ve spoken to say they sense a positive vibe for 2015? To what extend is such sentiment shared by MB here, or does it see things as status quo? If so, why? And how can this change?

JW: “At this stage we anticipate the 2015 year to be very similar to 2014, but with exciting new MB product like the Citaro, our Euro6 chassis range and high-end Mini Buses coming we are quietly confident the rest of the year, and into 2016 and 2017, will see industry growth and, in turn, increased sales opportunity - in particular in the City Bus and School Bus segments.”

“Geoff delivered new standards and expectations in how we as an organisation should work...”

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Q. And finally, how have lessons and experience from your previous roles helped shape the current direction of MB in Australia? Is its current market position on track to where it needs to be and, if not, what else needs to be done to achieve such a goal?

JW: “Absolutely, but ultimately the new direction for Mercedes-Benz Bus is driven by one key element: our customers. It really has been about underpinning every decision around a commitment to our customers and to our industry to be ‘service orientated’ in everything we do. If you don’t listen then you don’t learn. This simple but key focus has certainly hastened our business rebuild and ensures we are in a very strong position for our future. We’re excited by what our future now holds.”

We Want

STREET SMART Twin-turbo power, Euro6 cleanliness and a 50 per cent reduction in AdBlue use? That’s nothing to be sniffed at when trying to build ‘the complete double decker’. So it’s just as well Wrightbus, in the UK, met its objectives with the release of its latest model: the StreetDeck. Coach & Bus editor Fabian Cotter takes a cheeky quick peak.

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1 The Gemini 3 Style body looks pretty good in the rear.

2 A slightly edgier look, especially around the front widscreen and top window.

3 Looks like good vision for passengers all-’round. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

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“...with its edgier lines and urban-chic design.”

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long time ago in a bus depot far, far away the very first issue of Coach & Bus magazine made its debut with much fanfare.

Well... Not really. In fact, we just kind of sauntered on in and hoped no-one noticed at first, truth be told, but we did somehow get attention from the get-go – and it was probably because it entailed cool stories on buses like the then forthcoming generational-evolving London Routemaster double-decker from Wrightbus, UK. With svelte, rounded edges and intrinsically retro styling the modern interpretation of what the icon London ‘big red buses’ should look like in future was no easy task to pull off, given the pressure from history and popular culture behind it all prior. Yet it must be said it was a landmark design and well worthy of representing what Coach & Bus magazine was all about.

The problem with it? Not much save for a minor little doozy in that by the very nature of its name, its intent was to have it dominate the streets of London town, from what we could tell. Heck, no biggie – and it’s been doing that successfully ever since launch – but it’s a bit of a drama to have an iconic ‘London’ bus traipsing around

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other UK cities, even if the solution was to daub them in different colours, liveries and hues and hope no-one noticed. To avoid such ‘dilution’ of bus design, one would imagine, you kind of have to come up with a bit of a different look, but ideally keeping much of the modern underpinnings that you’d probably pumped way more R&D time and money into than your accountant and shareholders care to remember. Or even know about.

The solution? Wrightbus came up with the aptly named StreetDeck – which with its ‘clean, edgier lines and urban-chic design, it is a little bit country but plenty more rock ‘n’ roll and all in a good way from what we can tell.

This new integral double deck bus is fully European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECVWTA) compliant and - with claimed class-leading weight and capacity, unmatched serviceability and whole life costs, stunning new exterior styling and excellent interior comfort for passengers and driver alike - the StreetDeck is in every sense the complete double-deck bus, says Wrightbus.

Designed to deliver outstanding fuel economy and emissions through a

combination of low weight, efficient driveline configuration and technology advances that reduce auxiliary power consumption, the new vehicle is set to become an important part of the Wrightbus Euro6 product line-up, using many of the technologies and materials developed for the highly successful London New Routemaster nearly 300 of which are in fare-paying service, it’s stated.

Wrightbus chairman and chief executive Mark Nodder, speaking ahead of the public launch of the new StreetDeck at late last year’s Euro Bus Expo show at the Birmingham NEC, said: “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at the Wrights Group. So, like every new product development, the new StreetDeck has been designed and engineered with a passion and determination to be more than a bit special.”

“We are leaders in the field of minimising fuel consumption, through weight reduction by design, the use of advanced materials and efficient driveline technology,” he added, happily.

“All this, and more, is focused on achieving exceptional levels of quality, performance and safety, whilst delivering exceptional whole life cost value. With the

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new StreetDeck, we have harnessed all our group-wide resources, expertise and experience to bring to the market what, I truly believe is, the complete double-deck bus.”

The chassis for the new vehicles is being assembled at the dedicated Wrightbus EN-Drive chassis facility in Antrim, with the body manufactured and built at the main Wrightbus vehicle-assembly facility at nearby Ballymena.

The StreetDeck uses the Gemini doubledeck body style – familiar to locals there - which has been further developed for Euro6, according to Wrightbus. With 73 seated passengers and 26 standees the StreetDeck has an overall capacity of 99 to Transport for London (TfL) specification.

A single-door variant is also available for provincial operation. With an overall length of 10469mm, the StreetDeck has an overall width of 2520mm and a height of 4395mm.

The driveline features the new Euro6 Daimler OM934 5.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, rated at 231hp and a maximum torque of 900Nm@1400rpm. There are three gearbox options for the new Wrightbus StreetDeck - it can be specified with either a Voith Diwa .6 four-speed, or a ZF Ecolife six-speed automatic gearbox - both of which feature integral retarders. It can also be specified with the new Daimler G90 AMT gearbox.

The inherently robust Daimler engine is designed to deal with extremely high combustion pressures and has 20 per cent longer maintenance intervals, cites Wrightbus. Twin-turbo performance and a constant power curve across an extremely broad engine speed range gives exceptional driveability characteristics, whilst engine oil and Adblue consumption are 50 per cent less than the engine’s Euro5 predecessor.

A unique longitudinal driveline layout achieves improved efficiency, has less weight and lower noise than conventional transverse engine configurations typically

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found in double-deck buses, it’s claimed.

Mounted on a demountable ‘skid’ - a system originally developed for the Wrightbus StreetLite single-deck range gives excellent accessibility for servicing and maintenance. Reduction in auxiliary power consumption is achieved by having separate coolant and charge air radiators with electric speed cooling fans. Very cool.

The new StreetDeck has been developed using, as building blocks, a significant part of the technology developed for the London-spec New Routemaster doubledeck bus. For instance, it shares the same front and rear modules, including front and rear axles, steering mechanism, steering, brakes and suspension units.

The ride characteristics of the new StreetDeck are excellent thanks to advanced axle and suspension systems, it’s stated. The front axle and suspension unit is the ZF RL75 EC independent suspension, incorporating double wishbones with king post assembly, twin air springs and twin telescopic dampers. It has a 53-degree lock angle. The rear unit is the ZF AV132 drop centre axle with two upper and lower radius rods. Four wide-spaced air springs and four telescopic dampers are mounted to bespoke suspension arms. An anti-roll bar is incorporated to give a high-roll stiffness.

Serviceability has been a major area of focus on the new StreetDeck, the company says, and so significant enhancements have been made in a number of key areas. This has included a reduction in the amount of different fixings to gain access to service areas; side engine doors opening through a full 180 degrees; ease of access to the Adblue tank, destination boxes and headlamp units; and ease of removal of heater box filters.

Quite strikingly, the StreetDeck has a stunning new look, giving the new vehicle extra ‘street appeal’, says Wrightbus. By basing the body on the existing and highly successful Gemini 3 body style, Wrightbus

incorporated important customer feedback and operating experience into the overall vehicle package.

An improved airflow throughout both salons has been achieved, along with reduced solar gain in the upper saloon. And if you’ve ever been stuck on a bus in the UK in the middle of their Summer – yeah, just that one day of the year it seems – improved airflow on any bus is key to beating the heat. Or at least try to, given that many an ancient air-conditioning system on much older buses would have probably broken down in the heat by then (I’m still cursing it to this day, ‘Oh, the horror, the horror’).

Overall, as highlighted by the company, improvements in areas such as cab-door lock design, wireless bell pushes and revised hand-pole fixings help illustrate the attention to detail that has characterised the whole product development programme.

BUS SPECS MAKE: Wrightbus, UK MODEL: StreetDeck Double Deck ENGINE: Euro6 Daimler OM934 5.1-litre fourcylinder diesel engine. Power – 231hp, Torque - 900Nm@1400rpm.

TRANSMISSION: Voith Diwa .6 four-speed, or a ZF Ecolife six-speed automatic gearbox (both with integral retarders), or Daimler G90 AMT gearbox.

SUSPENSION: ZF RL75 EC independent front axle and suspension unit with double wishbones and king post assembly, twin air springs and twin telescopic dampers; 53-degree lock angle. Rear - ZF AV132 drop centre axle with two upper and lower radius rods; 4x wide-spaced air springs and 4x telescopic dampers mounted to bespoke suspension arms; anti-roll bar BODY: ECVWTA-compliant Wrightbus-design Gemini 3 double-deck MISC.: Suits 73 seated passengers and 26 standees. Side engine doors opening through a full 180 degrees; ease of access to the Adblue tank, destination boxes and headlamp units; and ease of removal of heater box filters.

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Hot Stuff

By Fabian Cotter

Gadgets on the go

We’ve scoured the globe for all the latest gadgets and gizmos for when you are on the go.

SoundBot Shower Speaker Come on, now! Just admit it: you love belting out a few tunes while taking a shower, so what better way to ensure you are actually in tune – or close enough to it, it’s all good – than by singing along to the actual song at the same time? Think of it like wet karaoke in the hotel while you are away on business WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

– it’s bound to catch on for sure.

Maybe.

To do it you’ll need an actual water-proof audio device, and so behold here is one: the SoundBot® SB510 HD Water Resistant Bluetooth 3.0 Shower Speaker!

It’s a hands-free (you’ll need those for the soap) portable

SB510 HD Bluetooth Shower Speaker SoundBot Approx. AUD$60 (eBay.com.au) www.soundbot.com

speaker-phone with built-in mic, six hours of playtime, control buttons and dedicated suction cup for showers, bathroom, pool, boat, car, beach and outdoor use.

It’s compatibility with Android and iPhone tablets, smartphones, iPods, MP3, MP4 and other Bluetooth enabled digital players.

Stick it on the wall (it should hold, in theory. At least until you’ve finished) and sing away – or answer urgent emergency or business calls. True story.

iXU 180 80-Megapixel Camera The beauty of this section is that’s loosely based on the idea of portability, not price, and so with rumours abounding that this – the world’s smallest 80-megapixel medium-format camera – will cost around USD$60K (Gizmag. com) just for the body, thankfully it’s a handful – literally.

Announced recently by Phase One Industrial, the iXU 180 measures just 97.4x93x110mm and weighs 2.0lbs (925 grams) without a lens and 3.14lbs (1.425kg) with an 80mm lens. It’s

actually designed to be attached to commerical-grade drones for aerial photography, so that’s where the 80 megapixels of goodness comes in. So the people this is targeted to are those who know what they could do with it. For those that don’t just check out the videos online! The zoom and WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

clarity is mind-blowing. The ultimate photography ‘toy’?

It has a 4:3 ratio 80MP CCD sensor, an ISO range of 35 to 800, and it’s designed to be modular and customisable. Images can be saved in Phase One RAW, TIF and JPEG formats onto CF cards. Oh, and it has a USB 3.0 port.

IXU 180 80MP Camera Phase One Industrial TBC www.industrial.phaseone.com

Navdy Heads-Up Display Can you get any more hands free than ‘hands free’? Kind of – if it means sticking information right in front of your eyes so that there’s minimal vision movement and concentration away from the road ahead.

Now, until some bright spark finally figures out how to project such information onto or ‘into’ actual vehicle windscreens, WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

the Navdy 5.1-inch Heads-up Display with IR camera might just be the perfect stop-gap answer.

It projects information “as if it’s floating six feet in front of you” says Navdy, so it will be interesting to see if this technology can help improve the driving experience of commercial vehicles some

In-Vehicle Heads-up Display Navdy USD$299 www.navdy.com

day, in terms of safety and convenience.

It mounts to your dash and allows information from your smartphone to be projected onto a mini clear screen, so you can glance at it while driving, helping keep your focus on the road.

Touchless gestures no more looking down to fumble with knobs, buttons or touch screens.

Add in Siri or Google Now voice recognition and you are laughing. And it’s app friendly, and GPS navigation remains visible during a call. Bluetooth 4.0? Yep!

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Working Wheels

Daily Dose

Tough as a truck and handles like a car? That sounds like no ordinary van – especially one named 2015’s International Van of the Year in Europe. Iveco’s new Daily finally lands in OZ. Fabian Cotter reports.

M

ay we please be fleetingly superfical first off? You know, just ignore the raw facts and figures of the impressive new Iveco Daily and simply and unashamedly gawk and stare? Thank you. Yes, thank you very much. Ta. She’s a beauty, ain’t she? From the stylishly raked yet practical panoramic-feel windscreen to the confident but not arrogant front-end black-mesh grille dropping purposefully into the lower one-piece bumper, it’s all class from first impressions.

Good roof height and simple lines along the flanks continue the sophistocated theme, while at the rear two tallish vertical doors are ushered by two distinctly patterned tail-lights that fight for attention from the taperingly wide moulded sills of the doors themselves. Nothing too squared, nothing too circular – just good, clean, modern lines and a pleasing visual demanour. For what is, after all, a commercical van. But a special van nonetheless.

Featuring celebrated unsurpassed levels of

innovation, efficiency, safety and performance the new Iveco Daily brings to the Australian van market many industry-leading technologies, the company states.

The Daily range boasts no fewer than four market-leading features: largest volume (20m3), highest horsepower rating (205), greatest payload (2767kg) and most sophisticated full automatic transmission: the ‘Hi-Matic’ ZF eightspeed ‘box.

Additionally, the range has been redesigned to include 80 per cent new architecture and myriad improvements over preceding models, Iveco states.

The new range, which includes both van and cab chassis variants (single and dual-cab), is available in a variety of wheelbases ranging 3750mm-4750mm (accommodating body fitment of up to 6190mm in cab chassis), with GVMs spanning 3800kg-7000kg and in single and dual rear-wheel configurations (model depending).

Powering the range are two core directinjection Iveco diesel engines, a 2.3- and

a 3-litre. The former features turbocharger with wastegate and intercooler producing 93kW@3000-3600rpm, torque is rated 320Nm@1800-2500rpm. The 3-litre is also turbocharged but uses variable geometry and intercooler to produce 125kW@2900-3500rpm and 430Nm@1500-2600rpm. Also available is a twin-turbo 3-litre offering 150kW@31003500rpm and 470Nm@1400-3000rpm.

The latest Daily range is also approximately 4.1 per cent more fuel efficient thanks to low-friction piston rings; use of high-grade, low-viscosity lubricants; and a reduced drag coefficient - especially in van models.

An industry-first eight-speed ZF ‘Hi-Matic’ fully automatic transmission is also par for the course - until now only available in high-end luxury vehicles, it’s stated. This provides an effortless driving experience courtesy of a selfadaptive shift strategy that results in correct gear selection and shifts taking less than 200 milliseconds.

Overall, not a bad bit of quality Italian kit; check them out on a road near you soon.

“...brings to the van market many industry-leading technologies.”

VAN SPECS MAKE: Iveco MODEL: Daily ENGINE: Iveco turbodiesel 2.3-litre.

Power - 93kW@3000-3600rpm, Torque – 320Nm@1800-2500rpm; turbodiesel 3-litre. Power – 125kW@29003500rpm, Torque – 430Nm@15002600rpm; Twin-turbo 3-litre. Power – 150kW@3100-3500rpm, Torque - 470Nm@1400-3000rpm.

TRANSMISSION: ZF eight-speed ‘Hi-Matic’ fully automatic; six-speed synchromesh double overdrive manual SUSPENSION: Front independent (double wishbone or torsion bar), parabolic rear.

Turning Circle - 10.5-metre BRAKES: Disc brakes ‘all-round’, ABS with EBD, Iveco ‘Hill Holder’ MICS.: Four-speaker audio with USB drive via USB input on the dashboard, AUX input; Bluetooth connectivity; Steering wheel-mounted radio and phone controls; Integrated 4x20W amp

062 www.truckandbus.net.au

Company Car

All-wheel Vibe

Holden’s eventual Commodore replacement has stepped up to the plate. AWD with 239kW of German grunt, it’s ready to take its first big swing at the Aussie market. Fabian Cotter reports.

T

he closure of Holden’s local production activities was bad news for thousands of workers directly involved with it and a forlorn time for thousands of the brand’s fans, but the corporate giant’s global GM reach means a whole range of exciting vehicles from other markets will end up on our doorstep.

Following its new Astra and Cascada Australian launches recently, the sporty Insignia VXR represents Holden’s first all-wheel-drive (AWD) turbocharged performance sedan, which will hit dealerships soon – with many more Euro vehicles to come.

The mid-size Insignia VXR is a top-of-therange number, featuring suitably Euro styling (it’s quite becoming actually) and quality, plus the latest technology via Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Alert and Auto Emergency Braking - a first for Holden. Other features include: Adaptive Forward Lighting, Blind Spot Alert and FlexRide Suspension.

Built in Russelsheim, Germany, Insignia VXR features a 2.8-litre V6 turbocharged engine

which, when partnered with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivers 239kW and 435Nm (A manual is coming we can only hope).

Peter Keley, executive director of Sales, said: “Performance and ‘great to drive’ have always been part of Holden’s DNA. Add to this a German-designed and engineered AWD performance sedan, loaded with equipment, and you have one very exciting vehicle.”

“It is further evidence that Holden is serious about our future product strategy. Insignia VXR is a very exciting taste of things to come,” Keley added.

It’s a well-pieced-together bit of kit and its engine offers up its best performance when kept above the 3000rpm range, but other than that it should be an engaging enough ride for most Aussie drivers choosing to stay within the Holden family.

It comes with three performance settings: Standard, Sport and VXR, which will tweak how responsive the accelerator and gear changes are, the steering feel, how stiff you want the suspension to be and if you want to

change the AWD bias to the rear etc.

Inside, the Recaro seats are delightful additions while the next generation MyLink infotainment system boasts an eight-inch touch screen display and is complemented by a premium audio system with seven high-quality speakers.

Colour choice at present are suitably Germanic and austere: Summit White, Carbon Flash Black, Arden Blue, and Silver Lake - the latter three a ‘prestige paint’ for an additional AUD$550.

All up? The recommended retail price of the Holden Insignia VXR (automatic transmission) is $51,990, excluding on-roads.

With rumours this model will be the ‘Commodore’ replacement from 2018, or more correctly where it roughly sits in the new Holden product line-up, the AWD and turbocharged mid-sized sedan Insignia is the inevitable departure from the iconic rear-wheeldrive and beautiful V8 brutality many chose Holden for. Not the same, just different – and for many that will be no bad thing.

“...it should be an engaging enough ride for most Aussie drivers.”

CAR SPECS MAKE: Holden MODEL: Insignia VXR ENGINE: 2.8-litre V6, turbocharged.

Power - 239kW, Torque - 435Nm (claimed) TRANMISSION: Six-speed automatic SUSPENSION: FlexRide suspension (Adaptive Stability Technology) WHEELS/TYRES: 20-inch alloy wheels INTERIOR: Heated Recaro leatherappointed front sports seats, rear-view camera MISC.: Adaptive Forward Lighting + (Bi-xenon headlamps with LED DRLs) PRICE: $51,990 (ex. on-roads)

064Money Matters

Paul Clitheroe

EXPLORE STRATEGIES FOR RETIREMENT – YOU REALLY SHOULD

I

f you’re approaching the end of your working life it’s a good idea to explore

strategies that can let you leave the workforce on your own terms.

As Australians we are lucky to enjoy an

average life expectancy of about 80 years.

The downside is that if you plan to retire at

age 65 you could need a retirement nest egg that will last 15, maybe even 25 years.

Many of us will fall short of the mark and, when that happens, the age pension is the likely fall-back position. At the current rate of about $776 per fortnight for a single or $1171 for a couple, the pension will keep the wolf from your door - though that’s about as far as it goes.

That’s why it is important for workers aged in their 50s to consider ways of making up any shortfall in retirement savings without taking on unnecessary risks that could jeopardise the nest egg they already have.

One key resource we often overlook is our

ability to work for longer. Sure, some of us can’t hang up our work boots soon enough, but staying in the workforce just a few extra years can dramatically pump up your super, as well as providing valuable mental and

social stimulation.

I appreciate that it can be difficult to secure employment as an older worker; however, a 2014 report by the Financial Services

Council (FSC) found that many employers now recognise the depth of experience that mature people can bring to an organisation.

The same study confirmed that older workers often feel more financially secure.

As a guide, more than 70 per cent of the

survey’s working respondents aged 65-plus believed they had enough savings to retire comfortably.

Nonetheless, if you would rather wind down your working life than extend it, it may be

worth thinking about a transition to retirement pension (or TRP). These let you tap into

your superannuation from age 55, drawing a private pension from your super savings to

supplement your wage or salary.

TRPs are primarily designed to bolster your regular income if you reduce your workload from full-time to part-time. For this reason TRPs can only deliver a steady flow of payments from super - you cannot withdraw a lump sum.

A TRP can also be a means of giving your super a last-minute boost. To do this, you need to salary sacrifice large chunks of your wage or salary and use the income from a TRP to subsidise your remaining take-home pay. This salary sacrifice strategy may sound

“...many employers now recognise the depth of experience that mature people can bring to an organisation.” simple, but it should be approached with care.

Annual limits apply to before-tax super contributions - for the 2014-15 financial year, the annual limit is $30,000, or $35,000 if you

were aged 49 or over on 30 June 2014. Your employer’s super guarantee contributions

count towards these limits, so if you are aged 52 and the boss is adding $10,000 to your super then you’re limited to salary sacrifice contributions of $25,000.

Professional financial planning advice can be the key to growing your super and making the most of it in retirement. Some super funds provide a low-cost, basic advice service, or to learn more about saving for retirement take a look at my book Making Money.

Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money magazine. Visit www.paulsmoney.com.au for more information.

064 www.truckandbus.net.au

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