Bus users on the Sunshine Coast will soon be enjoying greener public transport when five new electric buses begin servicing across the city in the coming weeks.
Delivered by Translink and local operator, Kinetic-owned Sunbus, the new buses are each expected to save as much as 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over their lifespan and reduce noise and air pollution.
According to the Head of Translink, Sally Stannard this is an exciting time for public transport customers on the Sunshine Coast.
“(It’s) another important step in making the network more environmentally-friendly for the people of Queensland,” Ms Stannard said.
She said the introduction of the buses would build on the Government’s commitment that every new bus in South East Queensland will be zero emission from 2025 and regional implementation to begin between 2025 and 2030.
“The additions to Kinetic’s Sunshine Coast fleet are among a number of environmentally-friendly buses that are being introduced to the Queensland public transport network, with Kinetic also set to launch five new electric vehicles in Cairns in the coming weeks,” Translink said.
“Kinetic will introduce 10 electric buses on the Gold Coast in August via Surfside Buslines, while two new bioethanol-fuelled buses will begin a 12-month trial with Mackay Transit Coaches in Mackay later this month,” it said.
Australia’s first 100 per cent electric bus depot was also open at Currumbin Waters in April.
Head of Kinetic in Australia, Matthew Carney said the business was committed to working with Translink on new, innovative ways to deliver zero-emissions public transport.
“We are committed to working with the Queensland Government and all of our partners to deliver more reliable, safer, cleaner and greener buses and investing in our depot, bus and infrastructure assets to ensure we meet the transport needs of future generations,” Mr Carney said.
“These are the first of 20 fully electric vehicles we’ll be rolling out in Queensland in partnership with the Queensland Government and it’s a win for passengers, a win for communities and a win for the environment,” he said.
