Australia’s largest bus body builder, Volgren, has delivered the first two of 36 electric buses set to roll off the Melbourne-based manufacturer’s production line over the next three years.
The Dandenong-based Volgren began production of its first electric bus prototype back in mid-2019 ahead of what the company expected to be the “biggest transformation in three or four decades” for the bus industry.
It has now delivered the first of two battery electric buses to Victoria’s Department of Transport and the bus operator Kinetic, which now has the Melbourne Bus Franchise (MBF).
Part of Kinetic’s contract to operate the MBF was a promise to introduce 36 fully electric buses to the network by mid-2025. Over the full length of the contract, more than half of the franchise fleet – 341 out of 537 buses – will also be replaced with low or zero-emissions models.
Volgren has collaborated with Kinetic for almost two decades, delivering more than 30 buses for their SkyBus and Surfside operations.
Through the program of works, Volgren expects to create over 50 new jobs including traineeships. So far 30 people have been employed through the program including 11 who have enrolled in apprentice programs.
The buses feature a design chosen in a statewide poll that attracted thousands of votes. The colourful flora design represents a bright future for the planet with public transport powered by clean energy.
Creating a cleaner bus fleet is part of the Victoria’s Bus Plan, which has set out to transform the state’s bus network by 2030.
In addition to the 36 electric buses as part of the Melbourne bus franchise, the Government’s three-year $20 million Zero Emissions Bus Trial will get underway soon with 41 zero emissions buses deployed across the state.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said by mid-2025, tens of thousands of people will be travelling on at least 78 quieter, smoother and fume-free electric buses each week across the state.
“We are on track to deliver 78 electric buses to Victoria’s bus network by 2025, with the first two buses rolling off the production line and set to hit the roads in the coming weeks,” the Minister said.
“It’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for industry and the local economy with over 50 new jobs to be created at Volgren in Dandenong.”