After five months of hitting the roads in regional NSW, the trials of zero emission school buses in Armidale and Tweed Heads have received overwhelmingly positive feedback and results.
Dubbed by one student as ‘the best bus ride ever’, the ZEBs are excelling in all conditions and terrains, attracting positive feedback in a survey of passengers.
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“I welcome the enthusiastic support and positive feedback from the Armidale and Tweed communities regarding our Zero Emission Bus trials,” regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison says.
“The early trial data shows ZEBs are really living up to their name with zero breakdowns and zero charging issues despite operating in challenging conditions.
“From unsealed roads to steep hilly climbs and temperatures hitting below minus-5 around Armidale – these buses are cutting tailpipe emissions and showing ZEBs have the potential to thrive in regional areas.”
During school term two and three, the four buses across Armidale and Tweed Heads have collectively clocked up more than 64,000 kilometres on the roads, more than 2600 hours in charging and have completed over 25,000 passenger journeys.
Edwards Coaches managing director Brad Edwards says participating in this trial has already given us a lot of valuable insights into the capabilities of zero emissions technology.
“Feedback from the drivers and passengers has so far been positive. The trial has provided very promising results showing excellent durability and reliability of these vehicles,” Edwards says.
At the BusNSW 2024 Member Conference in Sydney, Aitchison announced the second deployment of Transport for NSW’s $25 million regional Zero Emission Bus trials.
More buses will start rolling out from next week with three ZEB school buses going to each of Queanbeyan and Deniliquin and one to Narrabri. There will also be an additional bus starting in Armidale.
The trials will collect data from Zero Emissions Buses and coaches in different environments, terrain, temperatures, and conditions.
Transport for NSW will use that data, along with feedback from passengers, drivers, and operators, to make decisions about the best technology for our regions as we plan for a zero emissions future.
“The NSW Government remains committed to a greener, more sustainable transport system and with promising results so far, I am confident the next deployment of regional ZEB trials will further highlight their potential wider application,” Labour spokesperson for Tweed Emily Surval says.
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