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BUSWAYS SOLAR-POWERED DEPOT ROLL-OUT CONTINUES

WELL TIMED just prior to this year’s World Environment Day on 5 June, public transport operator Busways is now mostly using renewable energy to power its Gosford, NSW, bus depot, the company announced recently.

Busways says it’s powering its Kincumber bus depot on the NSW Central Coast with renewable energy to further reduce its carbon footprint and deliver a clean, sustainable future.

The new 99.6kW solar system installed across the depot’s workshop roof means, on average, 90 per cent of the depot’s power comes from the sun, the company confirms.

“On sunny days we are running the depot 100 per cent emissions free for over 10 hours!” Busways sustainable projects lead Tim Reid said.

“We’ve also replaced all old lighting at the depot with LED, reducing use of electricity by 20 per cent.”

The AUD$160,000 solar system is expected to produce more than 150 megawatts of electricity annually – equivalent to powering 40 Central Coast homes, or the annual carbon emissions generated by 47,512 litres of petrol or saved by planting 2860 trees, Busways explains.

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ZERO EMISSIONS

Managing director Byron Rowe says Busways is constantly working to provide a more sustainable public transport network.

“We’re proud to be making this announcement ahead of World Environment Day. In 2020, we will be introducing the first electric buses into our fleet as part of the NSW Government’s move towards a zero-emissions bus fleet, among other projects in our pipeline to help further reduce our environmental footprint,” he said.

Rowe adds that as a bus company with 16 depots and a fleet in excess of 800 in NSW – and more coming with Busways’ new Adelaide Metro contract starting in July – it’s important to play a part in reducing emissions where possible.

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LONG-TERM PLAN

The new installation at the Gosford depot follows the successful installation of solar power panels at Busways’ largest depot in Penrith, in 2019, which has seen significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the company states.

Busways plans to install solar panels at its other depots over the next few years, it confirms.

Other sustainable initiatives for the company include: recycling facilities for paper, plastics, soft plastics and metals; composting bins across depots and offices; several community gardens; and actively encouraging the community to utilise public transport as a shared transport means over single-occupancy car travel.

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Photography: courtesy Busways

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