ACT will replace introduce 77 new buses to the Action fleet from 2014 in effort to stay clean and green
November 27, 2013
Australian Capital Territory will introduce 77 new Euro 6 compliant buses to its fleet over the next few years, and will be the first to adopt the new benchmark technology.
The buses will be supplied to Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION) by Scania, from May 2014 to mid-2017.
The order is the first for a fleet of Euro 6 compliant buses in the Australian bus market, and Action will be the first to adopt the new benchmark technology.
Minister for Territory and Municipal Services Shane Rattenbury says the Euro 6 diesel buses produce around 80 per cent fewer oxides of nitrogen and 90 per cent fewer diesel particulates than the previous Euro 5 engine models.
“They’ll be clean, fuel-efficient, and most noticeably, they produce minimal harmful pollutants. They’ll help keep Canberra’s air clean and reduce pollution,” he says.
“”The fleet upgrades are an important part of making public transport a more attractive option for getting around Canberra.”
Rattenbury says Action will be the first city bus operator in Australia to use the improved, greener buses.
“It’s a small part of making Canberra a leader in both environmental and health outcomes.”
Scania Australia National Bus Manager Government Contracts Trevor O’Brien says the decision reflects the Territory Government’s desire to ensure the national capital is as clean and green as possible
“Action has decided it wants to take a lead in the introduction of Euro 6 emission technology to bus fleets in Australia,” says,
“The Australian Federal Government is yet to announce a date for the introduction of Euro 6 emission standards, underlining the progressive action of the ACT operator.”
The Scania K 320 4x2s will be fitted with Australian designed and built Rigid Easy Access Bus bodies constructed by Custom, a bodybuilder very familiar with Scania chassis.
The 12.5m vehicles will use the latest CB80 designation body, with seats for 48 and 18 standees.
“These vehicles will replace buses that have been plying the national capital’s roads since the 1980s, reflecting the 25-year operating life demanded by Australian public transport operators,” O’Brien says.
Action has just completed a delivery programme for 33 new articulated Scania-based buses complementing 26 Scania 14.5m rigid and 54 Scania CNG buses in the fleet.