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UNITED INDUSTRYS AUCTION BUS AIMS TO BEAT AUD$375,000

A VOLGREN-BODIED, Iveco-chassis bus that’s had some of Australasia’s leading manufacturers and suppliers donate their time, expertise and materials into will be auctioned to raise critical funds for “industry advocacy efforts”, at the forthcoming 2018 Australasia Bus Conference, in Cairns, Queensland, 7-10 October.

Now an institution in itself, the annual BIC ‘Auction Bus’ highlight this year will be a 12.5-metre school bus to go under the hammer on Wednesday during the Big Arvo Out Bus Auction event, it’s stated.

With all proceeds going to BIC, auction organisers are encouraging operators and would-be bidders to dig deep as they attempt to surpass last year’s auction figure of AUD$375,000.

Iveco Bus national manager Steve Heanes says this year’s auction will be the thirteenth time the bus industry has combined to produce an ‘auction bus’.

“The ‘auction bus’ is a unique way for the industry to work together and celebrate the different dimensions of our industry,” Heanes explained.

“The chassis and body are a 100 per cent designed and manufactured Australian product and showcases the manufacturing capabilities within the country.”

“This year we had 28 organisations very generously donating their time and efforts and the end product is a perfectly turned-out, 57-seat school bus that’s fully TfNSW compliant,” he said.

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THE TOTAL PACKAGE 

The aluminium-bodied Volgren Endura school bus on an Iveco Delta Graduate chassis is powered by a 320hp Cummins E5 engine and Allison transmission. It includes: lift-up access and wheel-arch panels; 2/3 seat-belted configuration; polished aluminium bulbar; air-conditioning system; alloy wheels; electric mirrors; fire suppression; electronic destination [signs]; CCTV; DVD and reversing camera.

Assembled at Volgren’s Dandenong, Victoria, manufacturing facility it took eight weeks to build from chassis to completion.

Volgren CEO Peter Dale says the difference between the bus auction sale price and the actual cost of building the bus would go to BIC to assist in industry advocacy efforts.

“Those funds will be critical in supporting their efforts to grow governments’ investment in public transport, specifically in bus services.” 

“The goal is more funded services, more buses on the road and greater business opportunities for operators and manufacturers,” Dale said.

Delegates interested in making a bid need to attend the Big Arvo Out Bus Auction on Wednesday 10 October, or contact Iveco staff beforehand on 1800 602 287, or email ivecobusenquiries@cnhind.com

THE WHO’S WHO

According to organisers, the BIC Auction Bus wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the following companies: Iveco Bus, Volgren, McConnell Seats Australia, Firestorm Fire Protection, Constructive Composites Australia, Camira Group, Alcoa Wheel Products Australia, Bridgestone/Bandag, Allison Transmission, AME Systems, Hilton Manufacturing, SMC Pneumatics Australia, Australian General Engineering, Mobitec Australia, Cummins Engine Company, Transcal Signage, Thoreb Australia, All Transport Flooring, Mobileye, Sika Australia, Spheros, The Shotton Group, Lumen Australia, R P Wallis Wholesale, Anything Electronic (NZ), InterVOLT, Brown & Watson International (Narva) and Nolan U.

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