Sunshine Coast bus users will enjoy greener public transport when five new electric buses begin services 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.
"This is an exciting time for public transport customers on the Sunshine Coast and another important step in making the network more environmentally-friendly for the people of Queensland," Head of Translink Sally Stannard said.
The introduction of the buses will build on the State Government's commitment that every new bus in South East Queensland will be zero emission from 2025, with 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.
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.
Kinetic Head of 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."
