Canberrans have been promised cleaner, quieter and more comfortable bus rides as Transport Canberra leases the ACT’s first 12 electric buses.
Announcing the move, Transport Canberra said the 12 buses would be leased from two different suppliers to allow the Directorate to understand how different vehicles performed in the local Canberra environment.
Transport Canberra said an additional 26 low-emission and accessible buses would also be leased in order to retire the City’s highest emitting old orange Renault buses from service by the end of the year.
“By leasing the new lower-emission buses, we can meet the operational needs of our public transport network without purchasing more diesel buses that would remain in the fleet for another 20 years,” it said.
“The removal of this old fleet will also mean that every Transport Canberra bus and light rail service will be accessible for Canberrans using a wheelchair/walking aid or travelling with prams – a great boost for accessibility and equity.”
Transport Canberra said the 12 electric buses and 26 low-emission and accessible buses were expected to join the Territory’s bus fleet by the end of the year.
“We have also commenced a tender process to purchase a further 90 electric buses for our fleet,” it said.
Welcoming the news, Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said the first 12 battery electric buses combined with the purchase of a further 90 electric buses put the Territory “well on the road” to transitioning to a fully electric bus fleet by 2040 or earlier.
“These new electric buses will mean a cleaner, quieter and more comfortable ride while cutting emissions,” Mr Steel said.
“Feasibility studies are also underway for a fourth electric depot on the Northside and retrofitting the Belconnen and Tuggeranong depots with electric charging infrastructure, which will support our growing electric bus fleet,” he said.
