Both globally and locally, Ventura Systems has taken its capabilities to the next level in 2024. Following its best year to date in the Australian market, the bus door supplier is becoming a well-known member of the industry. With the zero-emissions transition well underway, a key part of Ventura’s local growth has been its ability to provide the latest in electric bus door technology.
“It took a while to set everything up for the brand and to allow customers to get to know the product, but now they’re familiar with it and are enjoying it,” Ventura Systems Australia and New Zealand general manager Wolter Meijerhof told ABC.
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“We have already supplied products to a lot of bodybuilders in the past, but what we are now seeing is a rise in orders for electric door systems due to the increasing focus in zero-emissions transport.”
What has also helped Ventura Systems elevate its electric door systems is the flexibility of the product range. Although the model is perfect for battery electric buses, the systems can also be fitted on diesel buses, providing innovative technology to a wide range of vehicles around Australasia.
“This year we have supplied a lot of door systems into both Australia and New Zealand, while globally we’ve seen a similar upward trend,” Meijerhof says.
“After the COVID pandemic, business is picking up well, although it has been difficult to see some local bodybuilders face troubles throughout 2024.
“While we’ve had a really good year, it has been bittersweet to see other parts of the local industry face challenges.”
As customers now start to choose Ventura Systems as their preferred door supplier moving forward, Meijerhof is looking to ensure both the brand’s electric and diesel bus models remain popular for operators. Following a successful National Bus and Coach Show in Brisbane in September, Meijerhof is confident that the industry’s trend towards zero-emissions options will hold Ventura Systems in good stead.
“A highlight for us was the show – two years earlier in Sydney, we saw a lot of diesel buses and a couple of zero-emissions options, but in Brisbane there was a really good display of zero-emissions buses,” Meijerhof says.
“In a reasonably short time, it was really impressive to see the switch happening, and it’s exciting for us to witness.”
At the forefront of Ventura’s door technology is more than just its popular electric inward gliders. Beyond this, Meijerhof is hoping the industry begins to consider Ventura’s plug sliding doors and rapid sliding door options, which he says have a better passenger flow and record faster times to improve efficiency for drivers. While the inward glider is still a very strong option, Meijerhof is excited by the potential of his entire range.
“Our fully electric technology is a really good option moving forward and is designed for high speed movements,” Meijerhof says.
“As we see a lot of overseas products coming into Australia and being accepted, especially when it comes to safety, we’ll continue looking at the whole product in its entirety.
“Refurbishment is also an option for people wanting to replace non-Ventura door systems with Ventura products.”
What to look forward to in 2025
In 2025, Ventura Systems is expecting a similar amount of door systems delivered, except Meijerhof is hoping that the models supplied extend to both plug sliding and rapid sliding door systems. While it’s something Ventura can’t control, Meijerhof is confident that a positive display of the products at the show will help fuel a productive year.
“We’ve also showed our improved safety features on our LED doors,” Meijerhof says.
“It’s something already used in Europe but is on the way as a new option for Australia, so we’re hoping it’s something interesting for governments to use to improve passenger safety.”
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