A major $12.3 million contract has been awarded to JET Charge to retrofit the Karrinyup Bus Depot with electric charging infrastructure, marking a significant step in Western Australia’s transition to cleaner public transport.
The works will equip the depot to support up to 110 electric buses, with the first EV bus expected to begin operating from Karrinyup in early 2026. This will be the first electric bus service to run outside of the CBD.
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The upgrade includes EV charging equipment, substation improvements, CCTV upgrades, and other supporting infrastructure, following similar upgrades completed last year at the Elizabeth Quay Bus Station.
“We made a commitment to phase out the production of diesel buses and this contract award is a major step in making that a reality,” transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“With every new electric bus that is entered into service we need to ensure that our depots have the infrastructure in place to keep the fleet running efficiently and effectively.
“It is imperative our bus depots incorporate EV infrastructure so that the transition from a diesel-heavy fleet to one that includes cleaner, greener buses happens as smoothly as possible.”
The Karrinyup project is part of a broader $250 million electric bus program, jointly funded by the state and federal governments. The initiative aims to replace 130 diesel buses with electric models and includes depot upgrades at Malaga and a new facility in Bayswater.
Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey says the development would directly benefit local residents.
“I am thrilled that our community will be among the first outside the CBD to get access to electric buses,” Aubrey says.
“We made a commitment to phasing out diesel buses from our network, and the delivery of new electric charging infrastructure at our depots is critical to achieving that.”
The Karrinyup upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
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