As part of its ongoing regional zero-emissions bus trial, the NSW government has revealed it is working with Kinetic to introduce two new zero-emissions buses to the Tweed Coast.
Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) has unveiled a $25 million project to operate battery electric buses on school routes in the Tweed and Armidale regions as part of the state’s transition to zero-emissions public transport.
The announcement comes in the shadow of Kinetic expanding its northern NSW footprint through the acquisitions of Murwillumbah Bus Company, Parsons Bus Company and Singh’s Bus Company.
NSW regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison says she’s pleased to announce that hundreds of students will soon experience a quieter and smoother ride to school, with four electric buses in total to be trialled in regional NSW.
“In the Tweed, at different times during the trials, students from 17 primary and high schools will be able to catch an electric bus,” she says.
“Zero-emissions buses emit no harmful exhaust fumes, improving air quality.
“The NSW government has committed $25 million towards this project and the trials are an important step in our plans to transition the state’s fleet of 8000-plus diesel and gas buses to zero emissions technology by 2047.”
TfNSW will gather community feedback on the buses, with the commencement date of the trials to be revealed soon.
The Kinetic Tweed Heads depot will undergo electrification and charging infrastructure upgrades to operate the two battery electric buses, with the site being a short distance from Kinetic’s Currumbin fully electric bus depot, which houses 10 zero-emissions buses on the Gold Coast.
Kinetic south-east Queensland and Tweed executive general manager Martin Hall says it’s exciting to help TfNSW drive electric buses in the state’s regional areas.
“The Tweed Coast is one of the most beautiful regions in the world and we know the local community cares about sustainability and protecting the local environment,” he says.
“We know passengers love travelling on electric vehicles, and each zero-emissions bus on the road replaces a diesel one, having an immediate benefit to the environment, community and passengers.
“These vehicles will add to 10 electric buses operating across the border on the Gold Coast and will be a welcome complement to our local fleet, giving people another reason to choose public transport over personal car travel.”
Kinetic operates almost 300 zero-emissions buses across 10 electric depots in Australia and New Zealand, with zero-emissions transport being one of the operator’s key sustainability priorities.