Transit Systems says the future of bus electrification depends as much on engineering talent as on new technology, highlighting the people behind the company’s national roll-out of zero-emission buses and depot upgrades. The operator is delivering some of Australia’s largest electrification projects and says specialist skills are central to building reliable, high-capacity depot networks.
Transit Systems executive general manager of business operations, Mark Peters, says the company’s progress is underpinned by a team working across design, planning and commissioning.
“The ongoing success with our zero-emissions bus transition is made possible by leveraging the latest advancements in new technology, but it is optimised by the talented people driving the change,” Peters says.
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With support and funding from government partners including Transport for NSW, at the forefront of the technical transition for Transit Systems in NSW is Krizell Aligam, an electrical engineer.
Her pathway into public transport began in high-voltage power systems rather than transport infrastructure. She started her career in the Philippines, working on grid analysis, load flow studies and network modelling before moving to Australia and shifting to the bus industry.
“When I moved to Australia, I was impressed by how advanced the public transport system was,” Aligam says.
“I wanted to apply my engineering skills in a way that directly contributes to sustainable transport and the community. The opportunity to get hands-on experience in the construction and roll-out of zero-emission buses really stood out.”
Her work now focuses on depot electrification in New South Wales, including compact infrastructure layouts that maximise limited space.
“One of the key innovations in modern depot planning lies in the space-efficient infrastructure design. Projects feature cable chambers and elevated plant decks that house transformers and electrical equipment supplying power to the chargers,” she says.
Transit Systems says this approach is essential as electric bus depots grow in size and complexity, functioning more like small power stations than traditional parking yards. The company says the engineering work extends beyond chargers, requiring careful integration with energy management systems, cable routing, load monitoring and telematics.
Aligam says collaboration is the most important part of delivering major electrification upgrades.
“Teamwork really does make the dream work,” she says. “Delivering a project of significant scale takes close collaboration, bringing together technical experts, industry specialists and operations teams to work towards one shared goal.”
Transit Systems notes that electrification benefits multiple parts of the network. Customers experience quieter rides with less vibration. Operations teams use real-time data to optimise battery use and scheduling. Drivers and mechanics gain experience in high-voltage systems and new diagnostic tools.
Aligam says the work is rewarding because the outcomes are visible in the community.
“The most exciting part of my role is knowing the work is not just theoretical. It directly supports a cleaner environment and the community,” she says.
She adds that the company’s willingness to test and adopt new systems is helping drive wider industry progress.
“Whether it is the latest in electric buses, hydrogen fuel cell buses, charging infrastructure, telematics or charging management software, that willingness to embrace change keeps Transit Systems at the forefront of sustainable transport in Australia,” she says.
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