Across the Australasian bus and coach industry, there are plenty of forces standing in the way of both manufacturers and operators as they look to grow in their respective ways: a lack of skilled workers, supply chain and shipping delays, no direction on the zero-emissions transition and no widespread infrastructure in place to support it.
The February edition of ABC confronts some of these challenges. The biggest of these centres around Victoria’s public transport network and the mammoth Suburban Rail Loop project. While construction is starting, a mixture of bus and wider transport industry members have their say on what role an improved bus network can play in this defining undertaking from page 30.
In New South Wales, politicians have circled around Express Coach Builders as the Panel 4 release is causing the manufacturer to question its future. On page 44, associations and bodies are taking notice and calling for a streamlined procurement process.
All of these continue to confront the industry on a daily basis as companies filter out the temporary rust and get back to work in 2024. Despite these challenges that continue to pile, the industry is continuing to produce amazing developments to start the new year.
For all of the exciting new technology that’s descending on the Australasian industry, it’s the consistent teamwork within the sector that remains as heart-warming as ever. The peak of these partnerships is the ongoing joint venture between BLK Auto and international chassis manufacturer MAN. Gracing our cover and starting from page 22, BLK Auto’s combination with MAN is still going strong in the region, with the successful pairing also focusing its collective vision on a sustainable future.
This month, ABC sets its sights on the state of play when it comes to zero-emissions buses and coaches in Australasia. Alongside BLK Auto’s eco-friendly focus, VDI/Yutong’s commitment to battery electric buses has revolutionised Far North Queensland tour operator Tropic Wings. From page 34, the supplier/manufacturer partnership is set to see a landmark number of electric buses complete charter runs to and from famous World Heritage Listed sites this year.
Down to New South Wales, where the Nexport and Go Zero Group have found their own unique formula to penetrate the market on page 36. By leveraging its consortium partner North Sydney Bus Charters, the new Nexport electric coach is finding a home at many Sydney schools.
To continue the zero-emissions focus, E-T-A, from page 38, is hoping its new power distribution unit models are the global brand’s latest solution to grow its market share in the electric bus industry, while BYD chats on page 42 about its latest milestone moment and a unique partnership at an upcoming global sporting tournament.
While Scania (page 40) continues to build on a momentous electric bus delivery in South Australia late last year with an exciting announcement, the January bus and coach deliveries highlight that the market is pushing through the array of challenges mentioned previously and supplying new vehicles at a grand scale.
From an operator perspective, on page 27, family businesses like Langley’s Coaches still have remarkable tales to share of its history running bus and coach services for local Australian communities.
There may be plenty of obstructions to true bus and coach growth in Australasia, but this month’s stories prove there’s many tales of companies finding ways to not just survive, but also thrive.
