The operators will bring 10 new buses into its Gold Coast service later this year
Kinetic is set to run 10 new electric buses as part of its Gold Coast fleet so more south-east Queensland bus users can enjoy greener public transport.
The buses will be delivered by Translink and Kinetic as services begin in September on the Gold Coast.
“This is an exciting moment for public transport customers on the Gold Coast and another important step in making the network more environmentally friendly for the people of Queensland,” Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey says.
“The arrival of these buses in the coming weeks will build on the Queensland government’s commitment that every new bus in south-east Queensland will be zero emission from 2025, with regional implementation to begin between 2025 and 2030.”
Queensland environment minister Meaghan Scanlon says the new buses will help shape the future of zero emission public transport.
“This year we’re rolling out buses in a number of different locations to understand how they perform and understand any lessons that can be learned before we hit the 2025 target,” Scanlon says.
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“This is all part of our Queensland climate action plan to reduce emissions across our state. Research shows each electric bus could save as much as 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifespan and deliver many community benefits with less noise and air pollution.”
These new bus additions to Kinetic’s Gold Coast fleet are among more environmentally friendly buses that will be introduced to the Queensland public transport network this year, as Kinetic will also introduce five new vehicles each on the Sunshine Coast and in Cairns via Sunbus.
Kinetic has also opened Australia’s first 100 per cent electric bus depot at Currumbin Waters in April.
Kinetic executive general manager in Queensland Matthew Campbell says the operator is keen to work with Translink to find new and innovative ways to deliver zero-emissions public transport.
“Every time we introduce an electric bus we remove a diesel one from the road and these are among 20 fully electric vehicles we’ll be rolling out in Queensland in partnership with the Queensland government,” Campbell says.
“It’s a win for passengers, a win for communities and a win for the environment.”