Australasian Bus & Coach Issue 351

It is difficult to lose someone you love, someone you know, or even someone you never had the chance to meet. Working life brings you close to people you might not have otherwise rubbed shoulders with, and in the case of an industry as family oriented as the bus business, before long we all find that we share a common bond. Route bus operators face similar challenges in the course of their daily duties and, in the case of drivers, they can face very challenging circumstances as frontline community service providers. The deadly assault on a young driver, just 29 years old, really did serve as a reminder that drivers are exposed to all elements of the public. Just like police, paramedics and hospital staff, bus drivers are on the…

A $24 million contract for a fleet of 38 double-decker buses to service Sydney’s northern beaches has been announced by the New South Wales (NSW) Government. Each double-decker bus will have 86 seats with standing room for 15 people, which is more than standard two-door buses with a capacity for 43 people and articulated buses that carry 64 people. NSW Premier Mike Baird says the new double-decker buses will start running between the northern beaches and Sydney’s CBD late next year. “The B-Line will be the most convenient and reliable public transport option the northern beaches has ever had,” he says. “There are 38 brand-new double-decker buses on the way, which will ensure passengers are comfortable and have more room during their daily commute.” New features for the B-Line double-decker…

Real-time tracking information is now available for all school buses in the wider New South Wales (NSW) metropolitan area via a range of online apps. Parents and carers can plan their child’s school bus trip online and view the journey in real time using apps on their phones and tablets such as Triptastic, NextThere, Arrivo Sydney and TripGo. They can then also view the location of the bus that their child is on. NSW Minister for Transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance says it will help busy parents and carers plan their day down to the minute. “This will be a great help to parents whose kids travel to school by bus and will take the guesswork out of getting them to and from the right bus stop at the right…

After a low point for bus and coach deliveries in September, supply figures have almost returned to double digits for October. Deliveries suffered in September, which was a disappointing result following a stellar few months of above-average numbers. Coming from a total of 88 deliveries in September, October saw 97 buses delivered, representing a hike of about 10 per cent. This is a strong result near the end of 2016, especially considering there were no delivery totals above 86 from January through to May. It remains to be seen whether figures for the next two months will remain high or trail off. For suppliers, the vast majority of deliveries were Scanias (31), followed by Volvos (29). Yutong was the biggest surprise in terms of manufactures, reporting just five deliveries for…

Australia’s first ever model to test the life cycle costs of Australian bus bodies has been developed by researchers at Monash University. Volgren set Monash the challenge to investigate life cycle cost differences between their buses and others in the Australian market. Monash Art Design and Architecture senior lecturer Robbie Napper, who led the research, said the model would ‘level the playing field’ for any operator, manufacturer and public transport provider interested in their bus expenses. “What started off as a simple question has led to detailed and robust model that has far reaching benefits across the wider bus industry and public transport sector,” Napper says. “Life cycle cost as a term is frequently thrown around, but until now there’s been little research to actually quantity and test different models.…

Forest Coach Lines has purchased Coffs Harbour bus operator Ryans Bus Service, with new ownership effective from the start of this month. Ryans Bus Service operates Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) contracted and charter services within Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas. It was established in 1943, and is today a fourth-generation business operating buses from depots in Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and Grafton. Forest Coach Lines CEO David Royle says he knows how much the Ryan family has contributed to the Coffs Harbour community, and that his organisation plans to invest in the long-term growth of the business. “I would like to congratulate the Ryan family and their entire team on the success of their business,” Royle says. “As a member of a third-generation family business, I know the Ryan…