BREAKING: INDUSTRY rumours regarding changes to the two-axle bus mass increase and a Class 3 Notice for Victorian operators – so they can operate as they were – have been confirmed, according to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, recently.
NHVR spokesperson Andrew Berkman says the NHVR has been consulting with the bus industry and state and territory governments to provide consistent higher mass limits for two-axle buses with dual tyres to operate up to 18 tonnes, along with some additional safety features.
This supports recommendations made in the 2014 NTC Discussion Paper ‘Mass Limits for 2-Axle Buses’, he says.
“The regulation would allow buses in South Australia, ACT and Tasmania to operate at increased mass limits, similar to those in Queensland, NSW and Victoria,” Berkman explained.
“The existing fleet in Victoria will continue to operate under a continuation of the current exemption, which has been in operation since 2011. In 2019, all new buses in Victoria will need to comply with the additional safety features.”
Additional safety features to operate at increased mass limits include anti-lock braking systems, electronic braking systems or electronic stability control, depending on the year of manufacture of the bus.
Sources say this amendment is scheduled to commence after 1 July, 2018, and that the NHVR is said to have developed three information sheets covering:
* Calculating seating capacity – ensuring that operators do not use the mass increase to increase passenger capacity;
* General information for operators on the mass increase, including a recommendation to carry documents verifying the fitment of extra safety features; and
* General information to authorised officers on how to deal with C&E matters for these buses.
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