Kinetic reflects on its whirlwind changes throughout a year of operating Melbourne’s Metropolitan Bus Franchise
Operator Kinetic is celebrating a successful first year operating the Metropolitan Bus Franchise (MBF) in Melbourne.
Since taking over the franchise, Kinetic says it has delivered on its commitment to modernise the bus network experience with reliable, safe, clean and green bus services.
The milestone comes after the recent completion of key infrastructure upgrades, delivered ahead of schedule, at two of its six Melbourne depots to support the continued roll-out of electric buses in partnership with the Victorian government.
Kinetic is helping accelerate the Victorian government’s transition to zero-emission buses with the introduction of 36 battery electric buses (BEBs) to the MBF fleet by mid-2025.
The business has also proactively undertaken a number of Kinetic-led initiatives to improve the customer experience and build connections in the community.
Kinetic operates one third of Melbourne’s bus network, with 531 vehicles covering 50 bus routes moving 27 million passengers every year.
The first two locally-built BEBs entered service in June 2022 for Kinetic, with there now being nine electric buses operating across the Melbourne network.
Kinetic says these BEBs have collectively driven more than 209,000 kms across 16 metropolitan routes.
Kinetic has also completed major electrical infrastructure upgrades at its Sunshine West and Heatherton depots within the first 12 months of operation to support the growing electric bus fleet.
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New undercover bays have been built for the buses to be charged and close to 400 solar panels have been installed to reduce the depots’ carbon footprint. Kinetic says electricity to power the buses is 100 per cent green via a carbon offset program.
Kinetic has also introduced 18 low-emission hybrid buses on its Orbital Smartbus services to reduce emissions on some of the longest urban bus routes in the southern hemisphere.
During the year, Kinetic also introduced 10 dedicated Customer Service Officers (CSOs) to help customers with ticketing, directions and general questions.
Kinetic Melbourne General Manager Graham Smith thanked everyone across the business for their unwavering commitment to delivering service excellence and changing the way people think about bus travel.
“All of our hard work over the past 12 months has ensured a successful transition and set us up with a solid foundation for the future,” he says.
“Despite our achievements so far, we’re not resting on our laurels. This year we’re looking forward to continued investment in our workplaces for our people, stepping up efforts to get more women behind the wheel and leading the charge towards a greener future with the ongoing roll out of electric buses.
“We’ll also continue creating closer connections with the community through our community partnerships program to ensure we’re delivering a bus network that benefits everyone.”