At its zero-emissions bus drive day last week, the Victorian government released details of its planned transition to zero-emissions bus procurements for contracts through a new road map.
The ZEB plan is set to guide how the state’s diesel fleet will be progressively phased out and replaced by ZEBs, with the road map setting a minimum 62 per cent local content requirement to create opportunities for small and medium Victorian manufacturers to enter the supply chain.
“We’re converting Victoria’s entire public bus fleet to be quieter and more comfortable for passengers while at the same time slashing emissions,” Victorian active and public transport minister Gabrielle Williams says.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine
“We are working with the bus industry to ensure the ZEB transition not only improves the customer experience, but also boosts local manufacturing, creating even more local jobs.”
With new buses ordered for the public fleet being required to be zero-emissions from mid next year, the transition plan will see some operators begin the switch immediately to ZEBs, with larger operators in Melbourne and in larger regional centres leading the way while smaller and more regional operators take a more gradual approach.
Currently, the state government says that roughly 15 per cent of its fleet, or 688 diesel buses, have begun the transition to ZEB replacement models, with trials, the existing Metropolitan Bus Franchise and the new Metropolitan ZEB Franchises providing the impetus for larger operators to begin this change.
Following the transition of the seven Metropolitan bus service contracts, the largest regional bus service contracts covering the likes of the Latrobe Valley, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Mildura, Warrnambool, Shepparton and Bacchus Marsh will begin transitioning.
From there, operator feedback has seen the requirement for small regional bus operators to replace diesel buses extended to five years for these smaller contracts, with the replacement of the buses set to commence from 2030.
Smaller regional bus operators will also receive the same exemption for up to five years, with the state government ruling that around 100 high-floor V/Line coach service vehicles will remain as diesel/hybrid bus replacement options until there is a “feasible ZEB option for this fleet type”, according to the state government.
“During this time, the Victorian government will work with local manufacturers to develop a ZEB solution for long-distance coach services,” the road map says.
“The V/Line fleet’s transition to ZEBs will commence when a feasible solution becomes available.”
The final area is the Department of Education (DE) buses, with the road map saying ZEB solutions for this fleet are “scarce but emerging”, with DE managing the engagement and negotiations process for this fleet replacement.
The road map means the largest operators with multiple depots will transition first, with DTP working with these operators to make the right arrangements for the change. From there, a more streamlined approach will be adopted for smaller operators, with DTP working with them and representatives like the Bus Association of Victoria (BusVic) to help with the transition.
When it comes to technology preference, the plan doesn’t mandate a particular technology option, with it being up to operators to determine the best option. Feedback from operators suggests the Victorian government expects battery electric buses to support the initial change, especially in metropolitan areas.
Read more:
- Kinetic shuts down Sydney commercial charter operations
- Brisbane Metro begins service
- 50c fares here to stay on Queensland public transport
- Major timetable changes set for Sydney as Metro conversion continues
- BusTech finds buyer, acquisition approved