BREAKING: Volvo Bus Australia has delivered its 1,000th bus to the Public Transport Authority (PTA) of Western Australia, as officially announced today.
The milestone represents a decade-long relationship between the two parties, with both organisations looking forward to the arrival of the first Volvo electric buses into Perth in 2021, they state.
Volvo’s first contract with PTA in 2010 saw Volvo Bus Australia deliver 912 buses, the success of which has been followed by a second contract – awarded in 2019 that will see up to 900 additional buses delivered between 2019-2029, Volvo confirms.
According to the company, the most recent contract is worth more than $500 million and is part of PTA’s plan to safeguard Western Australia’s future bus fleet by replacing its older vehicles with new, high-quality, modern and fuel-efficient buses. Over the course of the current agreement, 90 Volvo buses are planned to be delivered annually, with an initial five-year deal and an option for a further five years, Volvo says. With this contract in place, Volvo Bus Australia will be nearing its 2,000th bus delivery to PTA in 2029.
“We are humbled, yet very proud, to mark our 1,000th bus delivery to PTA,” said David Mead, acting general manager Volvo Bus Australia.
“We feel very fortunate to be working with an organisation that share our passion for creating sustainable public transport for our communities.
“Our focus on innovation, fuel efficiency and sustainable technologies will no doubt be reflected in the vehicles and services we deliver to PTA over the coming years.
“We are also looking forward to seeing our eagerly awaited electric bus model become part of PTA’s fleet and the environmental benefits this will have for PTA, and the city of Perth,” Mead explained.
TEAM EFFORT
“We need to recognise our supply partners, especially Volgren Australia, whose Malaga-based production facility has produced all 1,000 of these buses in Western Australia for PTA,” Mead said.
“It’s also an exciting time for our dealer partner in Perth, Truck Centre Western Australia, who are just putting the finishing touches on a new multi-million dollar investment in facilities – increasing their local footprint, investing in local training and competence and setting themselves for a bright future supporting Volvo’s customers across Western Australia,” he added.
As part of the technology roadmap agreed between Volvo and PTA, four electric buses are set to commence operation in Perth early 2022, with planning well under way for this much anticipated handover, Volvo states.
On receiving its 1,000th Volvo bus, Western Australia Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “The partnership between the Public Transport Authority, Volvo Australia and Volgren is a perfect example of how government can support both local and international business investment, creating high-quality products locally, and creating jobs and opportunities.”
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THE BUS
The 1,000th bus delivered – a Volvo B8RLE – is a model renowned for its superior fuel efficiency and reliability, says Volvo. The durability of the Volvo B8RLE driveline means that its efficiency and environmental performance is consistent over time – meeting the PTA’s goals of delivering sustainable and environmentally efficient public transport to the Perth metropolitan areas, Volvo explains.
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Photography: courtesy Volvo