Electric buses are to enter the regional bus network for the first time as part of a Department of Transport three-year Zero Emissions Bus Trial.
Welcoming the Trial, Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll said it would create a cleaner and more sustainable transport network.
“The Trial will provide practical information, including how electric buses perform and the energy and charging requirements for different types of routes,” Mr Carroll said.
“It will give insights into how zero-emissions buses can improve financial and environmental sustainability and customer outcomes,” he said.
“Five Victorian bus operators have been selected to trial 41 electric buses on existing bus routes in Melbourne, Seymour and Traralgon.”
Mr Carroll said Seymour, in the Southern end of the Goulburn Valley, would be the first regional town to be fully serviced by electric buses, while Latrobe Valley Bus Lines would introduce the first electric bus based in Traralgon.
The Minister said local bus operator, Seymour Passenger Services would trial three electric buses on the town’s existing five bus routes, with the first expected to be in operation by the end of the year.
“Seymour Passenger Services expect the electric buses to transport almost 1,000 passengers each week,” he said.
Mr Carroll said Melbourne bus services provider, Ventura would convert its Ivanhoe bus depot into the State’s first full zero-emissions bus depot by January 2024, “charging 26 trial electric buses and one existing electric bus that will operate in the north-eastern suburbs”.
