Operator CDC will now take on 100 per cent of Darwin’s public transport services
Operator and ComfortDelGro subsidiary CDC Darwin has begun operating 100 per cent of Darwin’s public buses as it commences a new Northern Territory government contract.
The NT government announced CDC as the chosen operator for the tender in June, with the long-term Darwin bus operator now launching its expanded services in Darwin with new CDC NT branding following previously being known as Buslink NT.
CDC has welcomed 50 transitioning employees to scale up its team while better serving the Darwin community as the operator fulfils the area’s public transport needs for access to education, health, employment and events.
CDC says it will use nine Volvo hybrid buses throughout the contract term to strengthen its commitment to the environment.
The introduction of these hybrid buses marks an important milestone in innovation for the NT public transport network, as it will reduce emissions, noise and fuel consumption while improving passenger experience.
CDC Regional Australia Division CEO Tony Hopkins says the company will continue working with the NT community it serves while continuing its ties with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through community engagement programs.
“CDC’s Australia-wide experience, combined with access to international transport management knowledge and insights through the ComfortDelGro global group, means that we’re able to manage change effectively and deliver quality services from day one in the contract,” Hopkins says.
“From today, all Darwin buses have started displaying our new CDC NT logos, while our drivers also look sharp in their new CDC uniforms.”
Hopkins says CDC is looking forward to sharing its expertise in operating reduced emissions buses with the NT community after gaining knowledge of the technology while operating Australia’s largest hybrid bus fleet in Melbourne.
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The CDC CEO says the people of Darwin will benefit from the improved ride characteristics that come with this hybrid technology, as the nine hybrid Volvo buses will be rolled out on urban routes.
Along with this environmental focus, Hopkins says CDC will help a wide range of people and continue recruiting more skilled workers in the area.
“We’re also proud to continue expanding our delivery of special needs transport services for students with a disability, provide good working conditions and long-term opportunities and continuing to support important social causes relevant to the NT,” Hopkins says.
“We’re very pleased that the NT government decided to continue working with CDC, a long-term operator which has invested significantly in its NT operations to consistently deliver a safe and reliable service.”