The 2024 edition of state association Bus SA’s conference has seen the bus and coach industry combine in Adelaide to keep up to date with the latest sector updates.
Bus SA executive director Craig Spurr says the event, held on May 18 at the Adelaide Pavilion, included a fantastic mix of nearly 100 operators, partners and government representatives.
Starting on Friday May 17 at a welcome networking event, the conference the next day started with Stephen Lucas from Bus SA opening the conference.
From there, members of the Department for Transport and Infrastructure, as well as the shadow transport and infrastructure minister Vincent Tarzia, outlined political intentions for the industry, with Jenna Gorman from The Online Director providing the keynote address on how to ‘pitch like a prop’.
Members of Service SA and the Department for Education also presented, before a zero-emissions focus saw the likes of Bus Finance Australia, the Bus Industry Confederation, Foton Mobility and JET Charge participate in a panel discussion on an EV future.
Ian MacDonald and Roz Chivers provided updates on APTIA and BIC respectively, while Spurr outlined Bus SA’s latest movements.
The final sessions saw school bus service contracts come under the microscope before Chivers, Lucas and Julian Gurney discussed industry issues and opportunities.
“The sharing of insight, discussion and connection demonstrated the support, opportunities and strength within the bus and coach industry in SA,” Spurr told ABC.