GOVERNMENT CHARGES AHEAD WITH ELECTRIC BUSES

More than 50 new electric buses will roll out across Sydney over the next year, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver faster and quieter services.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the government is transitioning the state’s fleet of 8,000 buses to zero emission technology.
“I want to scale up our efforts towards tackling climate change  so I am challenging  Transport for NSW to aim for my goal of electrifying the state’s entire bus fleet by 2030,” Mr Constance said.
“I am excited to see us one step closer to our vision of creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, with more people now able to enjoy our electric bus fleet right across Sydney.
“Over the last 18 months we’ve been trialling five electric buses in the Inner West, and the feedback from drivers and customers has been positive.
The new electric buses are part of the Government’s fleet replacement program, with the first vehicles expected on the road during the first quarter of 2021.
They have been ordered from a range of manufacturers, including BCI, Yutong, Nexport BYD Gemilang and Nexport BYD Volgren.
They will be rolled out by several operators – Punchbowl Bus Company, Busabout  and Interline  in the south west, Transdev  in the north, with Transit Systems making the largest order for the inner west with more than 30.

Transport for NSW’s Deputy Secretary of Greater Sydney Elizabeth Mildwater said more local manufacturers will feature in future orders of zero emission buses.
“There are a lot more zero emission buses to come and we’re delighted that local manufacturers like Bustech and Custom Buses are getting into the game with their buses currently undergoing a review to ensure they meet local standards, while Nexport is planning to set up a local plant,” Ms Mildwater said.
“Once they and other manufacturers are ready, our operators will have more choices to buy locally. In the current order, the Volgren bus is being assembled in Victoria using a chassis made by Nexport BYD overseas.”