Transdev is set to welcome a new wave of electric buses built locally in Queensland
Queensland’s public transport network is powering on to a greener future with the addition of 17 electric buses to Transdev’s fleet.
Translink has worked with Transdev to order the buses, with the first scheduled to start services in February before the other 16 buses progressively join the network.
Locally-sourced solar at Transdev’s Capalaba depot will help power the buses, which will service Brisbane’s eastern suburbs.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says the buses were being built locally at Volgren’s Eagle Farm manufacturing facility on Brisbane’s northside, with each bus built supporting five jobs at Volgren.
“These 17 new electric buses will play a key role in helping us hit our emissions reduction targets, so it’s great to see the rollout is about to begin,” Bailey says.
“While these buses are making public transport more sustainable, they’re also supporting good, secure jobs in Brisbane.
“We’re not stopping here either – from 2025, all new buses on the South East Queensland urban network will be zero-emissions buses, while regional implementation will begin between 2025 and 2030. We’re delivering better services throughout the state, helping Queenslanders move around in a sustainable, safe and efficient way.”
Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher says the announcement is more evidence that the Queensland manufacturing sector is a nation and world-leader.
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“Manufacturing contributes more than $20 billion a year to the Queensland economy and moves like this mean that number will only grow,” Butcher says.
“Queensland manufacturers are the best of the best and I’ve always said if we can make it here at home, then we should. I’m really looking forward to seeing these Transdev buses on Queensland roads.”
Transdev Queensland Managing Director Mark McKenzie says he’s proud to be working with the Queensland government and suppliers to deliver a greener bus fleet.
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“These new buses are quieter and fully featured vehicles which I hope our Redlands customers will enjoy,” McKenzie says.
“Major depot work is underway now including cabling, utilities and new vehicle chargers to set us up for our electric and hydrogen-based future.
“This is also about upskilling our local workforce in this renewable energy space with technical skills that will be transferrable to other industries. We hope the work we are doing with Translink provides an indicator of suitable specifications for operators moving to zero-emission buses in the future.”
Transdev was the first operator to run Australia’s first 100 per cent sustainably powered full-size electric bus powered by a depot solar array with more than 230 solar panels.