Adelaide’s public transport bus fleet is getting charged up by welcoming the first of 60-brand new electric buses into its fleet.
The electric buses are due to hit the road next week, and are set to provide commuters with a cleaner, smoother and more sustainable ride.
The two new buses are Scania’s and are the first of 60 which are to be progressively rolled out over the coming months, with the entire fleet expected to be operating by mid-2026.
The SA Government said that this is a significant step towards achieving a fully decarbonised public transport network in the state.
The new fleet will replace aging diesel buses and teh Government claims they will remove more than 4,500 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere every year, which it says is the equivalent of powering around 1,500 homes.
This will continue to improve as the Government works towards its target of achieving net zero by 2050.
Electric buses enhance passenger comfort by reducing noise and pollution and the Government says the buses will travel on the same routes and terrain as its diesel bus fleet with each bus able to seat 43 passengers with a travel range of approximately 350 kilometres on a single charge.
The Government said its Morphettville depot is amping up its charging capacity with new charging bays being installed in preparation for the fleet’s arrival,
As well as being better for the environment, the new buses will also incorporate improved safety features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The software will support drivers in maintaining lane position, controlling speed and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
So far, close to 50 per cent of all government owned buses SA have been fitted with the polycarbonate full driver security screens as part of a $7.5 million program, which it says is just one key initiative it is rolling out to boost safety across the network.
All 940 SA Government buses are expected to be completed by the end of next year.
To help achieve the its target of zero emission public transport, the Department has engaged two global engineering advisory firms to assist with the development of detailed business cases. This work, being undertaken by Mott MacDonald and WSP, will plan towards the important transition across the metropolitan rail and bus networks.
Procurement of new diesel-only buses ceased as of September 2022, and all new vehicles are now either diesel-electric hybrids or battery electric.
The Adelaide Metro rail network has already partially achieved zero emission, with both its Gawler and Seaford/Flinders rail line being electrified while there are currently 34 electric and 50 hybrid-diesel railcars in operation.
