The past few years have been challenging for the bus and coach industry, with floods, COVID-19, shipping delays, and human resource issues all taking their toll. While many succumbed to the pressure, Bus Stop Sales is one supplier that successfully navigated the tumultuous times and emerged as a leader in the industry.
With strategic partnerships, a relentless focus on service, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Bus Stop is not just a brand; it is shaping up to be a cornerstone for the future of bus transportation in Australia.
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This perseverance however was not without its challenges. Acquiring one of Australia’s most significant bus sales and service facilities just before the pandemic hit, Bus Stop had to get creative with its approach to remain at the forefront of the industry.
“Maximising customer experiences became our primary focus, leading to significant investments in parts stocks and developing a like-minded management and operational team,” Bus Stop managing director Pete White told ABC.
“Diversity and team development have been key priorities, with a robust apprenticeship program bringing in new talent, including a focus on diversity, and group policies enabling both gender and cultural diversity to start with the company.
“This focus on building a robust and diverse workforce has reinforced Bus Stop’s reputation as a one-stop solution for the Australian bus industry.”
Among the ‘dream team’ are industry veterans like Guy Pex, Stephen Long, Dick White, Don Imrie, and David Lowe. With a collective 115 years of bus industry experience, White says he continues building depth into his management team.
As part of diversifying and expanding its network, Bus Stop moved away from its reliance on a single, inflexible brand, forging an exclusive distribution partnership with King Long, one of the world’s largest bus manufacturing groups.
“This partnership has proven to be a game-changer,” White says.
Despite its global dominance, King Long remains focused on delivering boutique solutions tailored to operators’ needs, a refreshing approach that has resonated well with the Australian market.
In addition to King Long, establishing the I-BUS partnership, powered by Isuzu, has significantly expanded Bus Stop’s product range. Isuzu’s truck cab chassis, one of Australia’s best-selling chassis for 45 years, offers a custom-built solution that is both reliable and versatile. This partnership opened new markets for Bus Stop, providing access to 4×2 and 4×4 solutions with the industry’s most supported and easily obtainable parts.
“We now have a range of new partners operating major fleets and within the resources arena who started working with us through the I-Bus and have purchased a double-digit number of bus models, including our Zero-Emission bus and coach solutions,” White says.
Standing out in the fiercely competitive mini-bus category and competing against established Japanese brands and new Chinese entrants, the I-BUS leverages the strength and simplicity of Isuzu, coupled with a Malaysian-built bus body.
The result is a minibus with the most seats in its class that can be driven on a standard LR license. Notably, the 2024 model is free from AdBlue and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), which are common in other alternatives. With the largest service network in Australia and a six-year industry-leading warranty, I-BUS is well-positioned for continued success.
Another key goal for Bus Stop was to support local industry, eventually manifesting itself in its partnership with Iveco. This collaboration has succeeded, particularly with Iveco’s Australian-made Delta Chassis.
Paired with local Brisbane manufacturer Coach Concepts, located a few kilometres from Bus Stop’s headquarters, this partnership has proven highly beneficial.
Separately, in 2022, Bus Stop launched its first zero-emission ULF chassis, constructed with a Volgren body. Known as the EVolution Local, this low-floor city bus combines one of the world’s best bus bodies with a custom-designed chassis that challenges even the most prominent European brands.
White says that his group had even supported local manufacturer BusTech with the opportunity to build a local ZEB when it offered a lifeline to the manufacturer in 2022 to recommence production within its wholly-owned Brisbane Bus Centre.
Despite significant support, the company has not been able to complete the production of a BusTech King Long prototype. White says he hoped the company would emerge more robust and resilient from administration.
White is acutely aware of the industry’s reliance on established European suppliers but advocates for a more holistic vision.
“The reality is that the King Long EVolution chassis is the best in the world,” he says.
King Long’s extensive experience and manufacturing expertise has helped leverage decades of zero-emission bus development to create a product that offers durability, technological innovation, performance and cost efficiency.
By assembling the e-chassis in China, King Long keeps costs down while ensuring that the components are of the highest quality and sourced from leading global suppliers.
White says King Long’s support for Bus Stop’s sales efforts has been unwavering. The custom-designed Australian chassis is not a mere duplication but a product built with components selected after an extensive search for the best components available. This includes ZF Axles, European drive motors, CATL batteries with fire suppression options, and a VDO Continental fully digital dash and telematics system. The integrated bus options, such as Thermo King e-bus air conditioning, further enhance the appeal. The alternative is to build with OEM internally developed products, which may be good but will never be the case practice.
The company prides itself on supporting local businesses and careers. It is confident that Bus Stop can deliver much more by leveraging its skilled labour pool and strong partnerships with local suppliers.
“Local content is crucial for the next generation, as well as maintaining national skills and sovereignty,” White says.
“We can offer access to an incredibly skilled bus labour pool and excellent products, and we value local partners to deliver a local solution.
“All we need is an open mind and a chance.”
In line with its commitment to sustainability, Bus Stop has made significant investments in its facilities, including the recent opening of a new customer lounge pod and service facilities at its Rocklea head office.
Home to one of Australia’s largest dedicated bus facilities, Bus Stop is also leading and demonstrating a move to carbon neutrality by heavily investing to reduce the group’s environmental impact. The facility has maximum solar capacity, feeding a 100kW battery that flattens energy demand and load, resulting in monthly cost savings and reduced grid reliance.
The company has also focused on water reduction through rainwater installations and implemented LED lighting to minimise its environmental footprint.
“We strongly encourage the industry to collaborate on how each customer, supplier, and competitor can contribute to success.
“To us, we need to live the values alongside our customers and partners.”
Looking to the future, Bus Stop is focused on the continued development of on-demand transport solutions.
The company’s review of six-metre, seven-metre, and nine-metre buses for on-demand applications led to the early realisation that the seven-metre option was not ideal for most operators.
As a result, Bus Stop is developing a new 8.9-9.2-metre mid-sized bus, set for release soon.
King Long already offers a world-class seven-metre and 7.5-metre electric product that has been deployed in autonomous operations in Hong Kong. White says that if the demand was there, as a solutions provider, of course this would be on the cards for Australia.
This new 9.2m mid-sized model offers the best of both worlds, combining ease of wheelchair access with the capacity to meet passenger demand, all within a manageable and manoeuvrable bus size.
The prototype — first showcased at BusWorld in Brussels — has already impressed the Australian market. Five units have already been sold and are headed to local roads.
White is optimistic about the future, looking forward to building relationships with a lifetime of customers and supporting both imported and locally built products.
“With a clear vision, a strong foundation, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Bus Stop is not just leading the field — it’s paving the way for the future of bus transportation in Australia.”
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