Australian-owned bus operator Busways has been chosen to deliver a critical new bus service linking key Western Sydney hubs, including Penrith and Mount Druitt, to the Bradfield City Centre and the new Western Sydney International Airport.
Under an extension to Greater Sydney Bus Contract 1 (GSBC1), Busways will operate 18 additional zero emission buses (ZEBs) on new weekly services from Busways Penrith Depot, doubling the size of the depot’s ZEB fleet.
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The new buses were included in Transport for NSW’s (TfNSW) recent ZEB purchasing announcement, as part of the first stage of orders.
“These new Penrith ZEBs are another significant milestone as Busways works with Transport for NSW to plan for the full electrification of Busways Penrith Depot and prepares to operate Transport for NSW purpose-built all electric bus depot in Macquarie Park,” Busways head of assets and safety Chris Wolf says.
“We’re working very closely across the board with Transport for NSW to help achieve the NSW Government’s zero emissions goals and we look forward to playing a vital role in supporting Western Sydney’s transport needs and contributing to the success of the transformative Western Sydney Airport project.
“We’ve already ordered a new 1.5MVA transformer to increase power capacity at Penrith Depot, as well as extra electric chargers, and advancing plans for depot expansion to accommodate the growing ZEB fleet.
“We’re on track to complete these depot upgrades next year, well in time to get these services underway once the bus order arrives.”
Stage 1 of the ZEB Program will see TfNSW invest almost $3 billion to convert and build depots across the region, purchase around 1,500 new electric buses and invest $25 million for regional trials in new and emerging technologies.
Under the first stage of the ZEB Program, TfNSW will build a new electric bus depot at Macquarie Park and convert 11 existing bus depots to 100% battery electric bus operations, including Busways’ Penrith depot. A further four bus depots will be partially converted.
“NSW is leading the way with the largest ZEB fleet in Australia, while also supporting the government’s aim of progressively increasing local goods, services, and workforce in bus manufacturing to 50 per cent for future bus orders by 2027,” TfNSW coordinator-general Howard Collins says.
“That’s why we are delivering the program in stages in close consultation with industry, to give local industry, including manufacturers, the opportunity to increase capability and capacity with the knowledge that there is a sustained pipeline of bus orders.”
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