Queensland premier Steven Miles has announced plans to deliver over 400 zero emission buses through direct government procurement which will replace aging diesel buses in operation on the Translink network.
The joint announcement from across several Queensland ministries appears to build on the state’s existing Zero Emission Bus Program which promised that all new buses added to the Translink’s South East Queensland urban fleet from 2025 onwards would be zero emission.
Launched on Tuesday by Miles and other government ministers, the new plan will be fleshed out through a competitive procurement process that will nevertheless be bolstered by local content requirements.
Around 400 zero emission buses will be locally manufactured – with the final number to be confirmed after the procurement process – while local content requirements will ensure the creation of direct and indirect jobs and ensure local small and medium businesses are part of the broader supply chain.
Translink is already trialling 75 zero emission buses at eight depots across Queensland, with information garnered from the trials informing the design and type of zero emission buses and depots to be used from 2025.
New zero emission bus depots will also be built while existing depots will be transitioned to zero emission.
“With this plan, it is expected more than 400 new buses will be delivered, good jobs in local bus manufacturing will be supported and Queensland streets will be cleaner and quieter,” Miles said.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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