There’s something about Australasia’s bus and coach industry that makes it a wonderful sector to be involved in. Something that makes each event entertaining and enjoyable. Something that makes you get up each morning and keep coming back to work with a sector that prioritises the safe transport of millions of passengers each year.
The people. While the bus and coach industry may not be as large as others in the wider transport sphere, what it has is a tightknit group that creates a wonderful environment for all involved. I’ve often said in these columns that the industry feels like a family industry, where both allies and competitors work together to improve the sector day-by-day. This sentiment hasn’t changed in my three years at the helm of ABC Magazine – in fact, it only keeps getting stronger as time goes on.
We thought it was time to recognise this in our magazine and pay tribute to the many great people that constitute this industry. Thus, the ‘People’ edition of ABC Magazine was created.
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This August edition of the Australasian bus and coach industry’s publication is all about the people that drive the sector onwards in 2025 and beyond. The centrepiece of this edition is the ‘Happiest Bus Driver’ segment, where we conducted a search among operators and the wider industry to find the very best and happiest drivers around Australasia. In just a short period of time, nominations flooded through from all over – ranging from Alice Springs to Auckland. I would personally like to thank all who got involved and took the time to recognise a bus driver doing their best to make passengers’ days just that little bit better.
We have our three finalists – the winner will be unveiled in our September edition. Head to page 34 to find the three leaders.
Outside this lovely moment of reflection and recognition, the cogs keep on turning in the industry. Starting with our cover, Yutong has had an immense rise in Australasia’s transport market in recent years. Now, it’s looking to set new ground in Australia with the impending release of an exciting bus model later this year. Flick to page 22 to discover the new point of interest that is set to carry the Yutong logo on Australasian roads in the near future.
With this latest influx of bus and coach vehicle technology comes the need to provide adequate infrastructure to charge or refuel it. International brands like Kempower now have this on offer in Australia, with the Finnish charging superpower discussing on page 26 its range of projects supplying chargers alongside local partners to depots around Perth.
On the safety side, Solid Circuit’s latest Safe-Ride technology is doing more than simply meeting an ADR – it’s offering an evolved system that comes at a critical juncture for Australasia’s bus scene. Also, Capral’s local manufacturing of aluminium is proving to be a winner for a popular bodybuilder and its operator partner.
To cap it off, Tiarna Condren chatted to the team behind the new look MOVE in Shepparton on page 31. Brimming with classic relics and beautiful buses, this site is a must for bus enthusiasts in the area. In further recognising people, this edition also includes a recap of the bus driver strikes in Victoria over the past couple of months, an exclusive interview with the new managing director of Transit Systems NSW (spoiler – he loves buses as much as all of us) and a chat with Panorama Coaches about its history and evolution in the face of changing circumstances.
With this edition of ABC focusing on the people of our great industry, we hope you enjoy the read.
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
