Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a plan to build 200 buses in Queensland, with a $134 million investment designed to back local jobs, skills and training.
The initial investment will drive the plan, with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) currently undertaking an independent procurement process for the buses.
The plan is expected to restore Queensland’s bus manufacturing sector, which has been subject to significant pressures due to low order volumes.
The $134 million investment is designed to support hundreds of local jobs.
“This is an investment in Queenslanders and the future of our skilled manufacturing sector,” Palaszczuk says.
“We know that when we build here in Queensland, we are supporting local workers, local suppliers and the next generation of skilled bus builders.
“We make no apologies for backing Queensland workers – whether it’s trains or buses, they are built better when they’re built by Queenslanders.
“I look forward to the procurement process coming to an end and the appointment of a bus builder soon after.”
The buses will be fully accessible to ensure all Queenslanders have access to public transport, including people in wheelchairs and people travelling with luggage or prams.
“When Brisbane City Council made the decision to build its new Metro bus fleet overseas, Queensland manufacturing workers missed out,” Queensland treasurer Cameron Dick.
“The Queensland government will always support local manufacturers and local workers to ensure automotive manufacturing remains a strong part of Queensland’s diverse economy.”
Once built, the buses will be owned by the state and operated by Transport and Main Roads.
The buses will also support transporting rail passengers during periods of disruption or planned track maintenance.
“We make no apologies for stipulating these buses must be built here in Queensland to support local jobs and help to ensure the ongoing viability of bus manufacturing in our state,” Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey says.
“The procurement will specify that the first buses delivered will meet Euro Six emissions standards, which run with 83 per cent fewer emissions than current diesel buses on our network.
“At least a quarter of the buses delivered as part of this procurement will be zero-emissions buses, which will support the government’s commitment that all new buses move towards a zero-emissions fleet.
“Getting commuters to and from home is a big job and we’ll need a big fleet to support that work, as well as help keep rail customers moving during construction works.
“The procurement process is being finalised and we will continue to keep industry in the loop.”