All 8000 of Sydney's Buses Are on Track to Turn Electric by 2030
The state's entire fleet of buses is set to be replaced with zero-emission alternatives over the next decade.
NSW public transport is set to become more environmentally sustainable under a new initiative from the NSW Government that promises to switch the state's fleet of 8000 buses to electric by the year 2030. Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance announced the decision on Wednesday, December 3, saying the state government would be rolling out 50 electric buses next year, marking the start of the transition to zero-emission technology over the next decade.
Five electric buses have been trialled in the inner west over the past 18 months, which, according to Constance, have received positive feedback from drivers and passengers. The inner west will also receive the majority of the first batch of new electric buses.
Thirty of the 50 electric buses expected to hit the road in the first quarter of 2021 will run in the area via the transport organisation Transit Systems. Outside the inner west, the new buses will be run out by Punchbowl Bus Company, Busabout and Interline in Sydney's southwest and Transdev in the north.
The new buses will be manufactured by a range of local and overseas companies including BCI, Yutong, Nexport BYD Gemilang and Nexport BYD Volgren, with more local manufacturers to be added in the future, according to Transport for NSW's Deputy Secretary of Greater Sydney Elizabeth Mildwater.
The announcement comes as the impact of climate change continues to be felt across the country, with Sydney experiencing its hottest November night on record. The Australian Government is also under pressure to introduce stronger environmental legislation, with 14 Pacific leaders just yesterday writing an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison urging him to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2015.
An extra 1200 services have also recently been added to the Sydney public transport network to combat increased demand over summer. The additional services include 900 new weekly night bus services running between 9pm and 4.30am on Friday and Saturday.
You can learn more about the plan for electric buses via the Liberal party website.
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