Queensland adds to electric bus network

Queensland will get 30 new electric buses across Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Logan as part of the state’s low-emissions transport strategy.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it would build on the Palaszczuk Government’s recently released Zero Emissions Vehicle strategy.

“We’ve had some electric buses in SEQ since April last year, and now we’ll have an extra 30 hitting the road across Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Logan,” Mr Bailey said.

“We’ve made a commitment that every new bus in south-east Queensland would be zero-emission from 2025, so to see it happening now is a fantastic achievement.

“That commitment expands to our regions between 2025 and 2030.

“Electric buses are better for the environment and mean people will be breathing in fresher, cleaner air when they are walking around.”

Kinetic-owned Sunbus will introduce five new buses each on the Sunshine Coast and Cairns from early May and June respectively, while sister company Surfside Buslines will launch 10 new electric buses on the Gold Coast from late June.

Gold Coast bus manufacturer BusTech is building 10 electric buses for Clarks Logan City, which are due to start services in Logan in June.

Kinetic Co-CEO Adam Begg said Kinetic was excited to partner with Translink to enhance the public transport experience and make bus travel greener and cleaner.

“This year alone we’ll be introducing 20 zero-emission buses to Queensland roads across Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast,” Mr Begg said.

Clarks Logan City Director Reg Clark said he was looking forward to adding the electric buses to the business’ fleet.

"We are very excited to see the reaction of the community to not only a zero-emission fleet but also to how the fleet will perform," Mr Clark said.

"The opportunities this project is providing, not just from a new technology perspective but also the new skill sets we will be embracing, is beyond exciting and will further embed Logan as a community of choice.

“With the locally acquired Tritium charger installation complete and the buses in build down the road at BusTech, this project really ticks all the boxes from a local supply chain perspective.”

Gold Coast-based Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she was excited her city was to become home to Australia’s first all-electric bus depot.

“The Currumbin depot will be powered completely by renewable energy including a 56kW solar panel array,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Having an emissions-free bus depot here on the Gold Coast is fantastic not only for our local environment, but all of Queensland.

“Transport is the second biggest emitter in Queensland but is rapidly evolving to embrace zero-emissions technology.

“The depot will eventually be home to 14 electric buses.

“Our research shows each electric bus could save as much as 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifespan and deliver many community benefits with less noise and harmful air pollution.”

Sixteen new Hornibrook Bus Lines electric buses, as well as two bioethanol-fuelled buses bound for a 12-month trial in Mackay, are also scheduled to arrive on the network later this year.