The Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate has released a plan to achieve the Territory’s goal of a zero-emission public transport system by 2040, a nation-leading action designed to transition the city’s bus fleet to zero emissions.
The Directorate said a zero-emission public transport system was a critical step in achieving a sustainable, resilient future for Canberra and the environment.
Minister for Transport, Chris Steel said the plan, Zero-Emission Transition Plan for Transport Canberra, would see ageing diesel and compressed natural gas buses phased out and replaced with electric buses powered by the ACT’s 100 per cent renewable electricity.
“[The Plan] articulates how we will transition our bus fleet by 2040,” Mr Steel said.
“We think this can actually be achieved by 2037 or earlier as technology improves.
“The analysis undertaken shows that 78 per cent of the current Transport Canberra bus routes can be serviced by current battery electric bus technology, our network is ready for the future with a zero-emissions fleet.”
Mr Steel said infrastructure was critical to enabling the transition.
“We have a strategy to build more bus depots to support a zero-emissions fleet and then upgrade the existing depots to electric over time,” he said.
“The plan recognises that a just transition for our workers is of key importance, with operational staff like diesel mechanics being supported to acquire the new skills they need to work on the new electric fleet.”
He said the Directorate would work with the education, skills and training sector as well as private industry to build and train Transport Canberra’s workforce.
The Directorate’s 23-page Zero-Emission transition plan for Transport Canberra can be accessed at this PS News link.
