Transit Systems has expanded its BEV fleet in NSW as it prepares to open its Leichhardt charging infrastructure
Operator Transit Systems is continuing to grow Australia’s largest electric bus fleet, adding another 19 battery electric vehicles to the New South Wales fleet.
The addition happens as Transit Systems edges closer to the completion of its world-first charging infrastructure facility at its Leichhardt depot.
While Transit continues to operate in Sydney’s inner west, the 19 extra battery electric (BEV) buses will bring its Australian electric fleet up from 39 to 58 buses.
Transit Systems has worked with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) as well as key industry partners including Zenobe and Transgrid, to deliver the largest fleet and depot electrification in Australia.
The 19 new battery electric buses include 10 368kW Nexport buses and nine 422kW Yutong buses.
Within the coming weeks, the Leichhardt depot supporting infrastructure will be fully commissioned including 43 battery electric bus chargers, a 388kWp solar PV on the roof, an on-site battery storage system and market-leading smart charging software to manage fleets.
The Leichhardt depot will also include innovative smart charging strategies that will reduce grid impact and guarantee fully charged buses.
Transit Systems COO Greg Balkin says the new buses represent years of dedication to innovation and a commitment to sustainability.
“We know bus drivers and customers prefer travelling on a more sustainable service, which is why as the country emerges from COVID and we see more people back on public transport, zero emission solutions are an absolute priority,” Balkin says.
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“We’re proud to work alongside government partners with the same vision to deliver a greener commute, and we’re excited about the possibilities that see us partner with Australian manufacturers, as well as bringing world-class technology into our local network.”
Transit Systems will soon continue to explore sustainable technologies when it welcomes two Foton Mobility hydrogen fuel cell buses to its Australian fleet.
“We are proudly setting the benchmark for exploring and trialling different technologies to develop and deliver solutions with our key industry partners, which suit the dynamic and complex operating conditions within the Australian public transport landscape,” Balkin says.
Transit Systems will also introduce another two Australian-built hydrogen fuel cell buses into its fleet, along with a further nine battery electric buses as part of the Victorian government’s Zero Emissions Bus Trial.
“Public transport has a responsibility to offer more sustainable solutions to communities,” Balkin says.
“Being the largest operator of battery electric buses in Australia is a credit to our team of experts who collaborate with industry innovators, while we invest in the technology, and leverage our combined experiences to ensure we are working towards delivering a more sustainable future.”
Transit Systems boasts a fleet of approximately 300 electric buses in London, 11 electric buses in Singapore, as well as hybrid and electric buses in Perth and Adelaide and the expansion of electric charging capabilities across the bus depot portfolio.