The South Australian Government will invest $300 million over the next ten years for 400 new buses to service the Adelaide Metro network
A tailored Industry Participation Plan will require the successful tenderer to maximise opportunities for local industry and local jobs, meaning as many of the buses as possible will be manufactured in South Australia.
The 400 new buses will replace aging buses and those that reach the compulsory retirement age of 25 years.
The contract will encourage innovation with flexible contractual conditions that facilitate the development of new and emerging technologies such as electric buses, microhybrids and hydrogen powered buses.
The new contract is for the supply and support services of approximately 40 buses per year from July 2018 for the Adelaide Metro network.
“Upgrading Adelaide Metro’s fleet with 400 new buses has the potential to provide a boost to local manufacturing, secure hundreds of local jobs and further modernise our public transport network,” Premier Jay Weatherill says.
“We already have an Adelaide-based company producing next generation electric and low
emission buses.
“Thanks to $2 million in State Government funding under the Northern Economic Plan,
Precision Components has manufactured two electric and two low-carbon buses as part of their diversification strategy after supplying the automotive industry for more than 20 years.
“Their success in developing the first Australian designed, engineered and manufactured electric bus has led to an agreement to supply 50 low carbon buses interstate.
“While this is a sad week for SA with the closure of Holden, we hope this investment will provide opportunity for many affected by the changing face of manufacturing in SA.
The request for tender opened yesterday, with the first buses set to join the fleet late next year.