Positive energy and amazing releases fill the industry as we head towards October’s Bus & Coach Expo
It’s that time of year again for the bus and coach industry. It feels like exciting new models and thrilling developments in technology are happening more often as 2022 passes the halfway mark.
There’s a feeling of excitement bubbling under the surface with everyone I speak to in the industry. The first in-person Bus & Coach Expo to be held since before Covid-19 first disrupted the sector is only months away, rapidly looming larger on the horizon, and people can’t be more ready for it.
As official media partners for the BusNSW Expo, our Showguide is jam-packed with the early mail on what exhibitors are planning to unveil in October.
This month’s latest releases and news stories sum up the busy time of year we’ve found ourselves in. The cover story on Bus Stop Sales is proof of the ground-breaking technological advances that are quickly coming to the Australian market. Bus Stop Sales’ new high-floor fully-electric coach is certainly creating a splash in local waters as it forges a path not yet covered by other electric low-floor coach offerings.
One thing that I’ve immediately noticed about the bus and coach sector is the neighbourhood feel among its members. It facilitates an encouraging environment where businesses can work together to shoot for the stars when it comes to the newest zero-emissions technology. This was on full display this month, as global manufacturer BLK Auto joined forces with many others, including the likes of body builders Volgren, Toyota, Cummins and Refire Technology, to unveil a new range of sustainable bus and coach options that range across both electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The way these companies, who traditionally viewed each other as competitors, are working together to benefit the Australian industry is another sign of the sector’s good nature.
The partnerships bus and coach companies are striking in Australia aren’t just limited to business agreements. The Volvo Group Australia’s ability to stay in touch with its local Queensland community and benefit them came to the fore during this year’s NAIDOC Week. The striking artwork makes for a novelty bus and coach option that is already becoming a hit with customers of Queensland operator Sunstate Charters, and it’s not difficult to see why.
Global companies like Yutong are continuing to enjoy what the Australian market has to offer. Local operators are beginning to see the value of Yutong’s high-quality electric options, as seen by Kinetic ordering 10 of Yutong’s latest E12 models.
But it’s not just the manufacturers who are pushing the limits and celebrating achievements. It was a pleasure this month to pay a visit to Victorian stalwart Dyson Group’s 70-year anniversary celebrations in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. With a rich history starting from just after the end of WWII, the way the Dyson family has built a bus and coach empire around rural and suburban Victoria is proof that the industry is currently thriving. Its anniversary made for a satisfying night for many.
While the Australian industry has come a long way, newer companies make it feel like the nation is only at the very beginning of a very transformative phase. Electric infrastructure groups like Jet Charge is providing solutions that make the transition to zero-emissions fleets easier. Many may not yet know how Jet Charge operates, making the story even more important for the industry going forward. With all of this news filling the industry, enjoy our latest bulging edition of the magazine!