NSW operator Busways was one of five award winners at last week’s BusNSW Industry Gala Dinner awards ceremony
Australian bus operator Busways has been recognised as a leader in public transport innovation and sustainability winning the 2022 BusNSW Environment and Innovation Award at the BusNSW Industry Gala Dinner last week.
Busways’ win was among one of five awards handed out on the night, with BusNSW also awarding three new life memberships.
Executive director of BusNSW Matt Threlkeld says Busways won the award for its commitment to the environment and innovation via a proven approach to testing, trialling and adopting new technologies to make customer experience improvements and address environmental issues.
“Busways has spearheaded many innovations, including the development of specialist charging optimisation solutions for zero-emissions buses; trialling the first Australian made electric bus in Penrith; introducing smart depot systems integrated with custom business software for efficiencies; and testing and trialling automated bus transport with BusBot in Coffs Harbour,” Threlkeld says.
“Busways helped lead the development of on-demand transport in Sydney, with its western Sydney Cooee Busways service carrying more than 325,000 passengers since 2019, named the gold standard in on-demand by global management consultant LEK Consulting, also winning Australian Business Awards for Service Innovation and CX Management.”
NSW regional transport and roads minister Sam Farraway presented the BusNSW Environment and Innovation Award to Busways Managing Director Byron Rowe at the BusNSW Industry Gala Dinner during the Australasian Bus and Coach Expo.
Rowe welcomed the award, saying Busways has an amazing and passionate team, and it is that passion that drives innovation.
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“This month we are celebrating 80 years since my Pop, Dick Rowe, started delivering our first passenger transport service on a five-seater Chrysler 70 that he modified with a wartime-mandated gas producer, a washing machine-sized device that converted charcoal to fuel,” Rowe says.
“Things have changed a lot since then, but one thing that stays the same is our huge focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
“Our team works hard at listening to customers and working closely with our manufacturers, industry partners and clients to innovate in new fleet design, onboard technology and safety, embracing future mobility and new technologies, all to keep providing a more sustainable bus service and a better journey experience for our customers.”
Jessica Kane from Kane’s Buses won the 2022 industry achiever award, with BusInsure being recognised as supplier of the year.
In the other awards, Transdev NSW won the safety award, while Peter Dwyer was acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the state’s industry.
The late Eddie Ogden from Ogden’s Coaches, Steve Scott from Punchbowl Company and Buslines Group’s Frank D’Apuzzo were all inducted as BusNSW life members on the night.