The Australian bus and coach industry is full of news currently, with a raft of changes and updates keeping the wheels turning at a high rate. In Victoria, the switch over to new MZF contracts has dominated attention, with various family operators having to sadly farewell their final government contract runs in the lead-up to the new financial year. This means Dyson Group, CDC Victoria and Kinetic have the power in Melbourne and its suburbs as the trio usher in a new era of zero-emissions transport. July 1 also saw these operators be required to only order new zero-emissions vehicles. At the same time, bus driver strikes continue to rear their head in the state, while a lifeline for bus orders was granted by the state government.
Whether it be Ryan Bros Bus Service, Kastoria Bus Lines, Broadmeadows Bus Service or Panorama Coaches, the bus industry recognises the contribution and wonderful services these operators have all offered to Victoria’s public transport network over the years. June 30 served as a sad day as yet another Australian state farewelled popular public transport route operators from service, with Victoria following New South Wales in privatising the network and narrowing the pool of local family-owned companies in the game. Our coverage of the events that unfolded in early July can be read from page 48 as the final government contract runs of longstanding Victorian operators went ahead.
While some family operators had to bid farewell to their government runs, the July edition of ABC Magazine shines a spotlight on the other existing local operators who are continuing to provide valuable transport services to communities around the country. Our cover story encapsulates this spirit, with BLK Auto and Bundaberg Coaches working together to provide high-quality transport to a range of customers in Australia’s north. From page 22, traverse the ever-expanding world that Bundaberg Coaches is working in, from Queensland mines to interstate charter trips to the snow, and the valuable role that BLK’s tailor-made coaches are playing in these unique operations.
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Continuing on the Australian operator trend, it was a pleasure to sit down with Busways’ new CEO Will O’Neill to chat about the NSW giant’s future. While Will signals a shift away from the famous Rowe family’s day-to-day leadership, our in-depth chat on page 34 highlights the growth strategy that remains as consistent as ever for the largest fully Australian owned bus operator.
On the vehicle technology side, ABC’s resident bus reviewer Paul Aldridge was in full swing in July as he headed to Sydney’s outer suburbs to take Yutong’s D7E, courtesy of VDI Australia, for a ride around the block. Whether it be the complete lack of noise or the comfortable ease of charging the electric bus, Paul provides his thoughts from page 27. Be sure to check out the video via the QR code too!
The July edition has a special segment for zero-emissions bus infrastructure and safety, with the likes of Fire Protection Technologies (page 30) discussing how its products are helping protect motorists, passengers and drivers safer during the rare instances of thermal runaway. The special focus also led to ABC finding out about E-T-A’s latest tech on page 32.
All of this and more is part of another vibrant edition of ABC, with another highlight being our interview with incoming BusVic executive director Peter Kavanagh on page 51 about his goals for the state association moving forward. As the industry sits on a new horizon, we hope you enjoy the array of stories before you in the July edition of ABC Magazine.
Click here to read the digital version of the July ABC Magazine.
Read more:
- Victorian driver strikes: One operator reaches agreement while one prepares for more strikes after unsuccessful negotiations
- Western suburbs in Melbourne score major transport boost
- Victorian veteran to exit bus industry following storied career
- WA government slashes bus fares with $152 million investment
- Major bus reforms coming for the NT
