Australasian Bus & Coach Issue 366

Industry experts say that general access for buses and coaches over 2.5 metres is not going to happen, but that some kind of controlled access on acceptable road networks may be considered. That is as much certainty as is available at the moment, so buyer and supplier beware! Operators are strongly advised to be extremely cautious and to seek their own advice before jumping into over width buses. Bus Industry Confederation executive director Michael Apps explains the situation in more detail in his column on page 19. In the meantime, fleet managers and buyers are advised to check the specifications of the vehicles they purchase, particularly in regard to width at this time. Volvo Buses has launched a new double-deck Euro 6 chassis in Hong Kong, the Volvo B8L, which…

The Buckley Street level crossing in Essendon will be the latest to be removed as part of the Victorian Government’s $114 million level crossing removal project. The construction will include the relocation of underground utilities and vegetation removed with work sites established at the location. The Buckley Street level crossing is said to be one of Melbourne’s worst, with boom gates down for about 78 minutes during the two-hour morning peak – affecting 11,000 drivers daily. According to the Victorian Government, removing the crossing will improve journey times and traffic flow, and make the area safer for drivers, local pedestrians and hundreds of students who travel to nearby schools each day. “Removing the level crossing at Buckley Street and 49 others around Melbourne will make our city safer, reduce road…

Volvo Buses has launched a new double-deck chassis, capable of meeting the demanding high-capacity transport needs in Asia Pacific and beyond. The new Euro 6 product was launched in Hong Kong last month and is said to be fuel efficient, with lower emissions and lower operating costs. The new Volvo B8L replaces the B9TL with over 4000 units sold in the Asia Pacific Region. It is manufactured in Borås, Sweden, and units have already been widely tested in the demanding city environments of Hong Kong and Singapore. The new B8L product replaces Volvo’s B9TL, with over 4000 units sold in the Asia Pacific Region alone. Powered by Volvo’s proven D8K engine, the B8L delivers 350hp (258kW) and 1400Nm of torque between 1200 and 1600rpm. The D8K engine is matched with…

The NSW Government will crack down on drug-affected drivers by strengthening laws and boosting roadside drug testing, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced. Berejiklian says it had become clear that more action was needed to boost road safety after 392 fatalities on NSW roads in 2017. Preliminary data shows drugs were a major contributing factor in 36 fatal accidents in the first half of 2017, resulting in 42 deaths. “This summer has been a tragic time for too many on our roads,” Berejiklian says. “Many families and friends have been left with the heartache of losing loved ones while thousands will now live with lifelong injuries from crashes.” The number of roadside drug tests will increase from 100,000 a year to 200,000 a year by 2020; cocaine will be added to the…

Sydney bus manufacturer Custom Bus has laid off more than 100 staff after going into voluntary administration on January 18. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) says 109 production staff were made redundant, while another 13 walked off the factory floor. The union says 39 administrative and management staff would continue to work at Custom Buses in Sydney, while Custom Bus staff in South Australia had not been informed of any job losses at their site in Adelaide. Partners Simon Cathro and Aaron Lucan of Worrells Solvency and Forensic NSW and ACT have been appointed as the administrators. Custom Bus, which operates out of Villawood in New South Wales and Wingfield in South Australia, fell into financial distress late last year as a result of production problems and operational challenges.…

A number of changes to Melbourne’s transport system are underway during the Metro Tunnel project. Road closures, lane reductions and major construction will be required to facilitate one of the biggest public transport projects in the state’s history, according to the Victorian Government. “We encourage motorists to plan ahead and allow extra travel time as we get on with the new stations, Metro Tunnel and turn-up-and-go trains for Melbourne,” Acting Minister for Public Transport Luke Donnellan says. “These works will be disruptive but are absolutely necessary to build the badly-needed Metro Tunnel as safely and quickly as possible.” As part of the works, St Kilda Road will be reduced to one lane in both directions for around 800 metres between Kings Way/Toorak Road West and Dorcas Street for up to…