Seymour in central Victoria has become the first regional town in the state to have– and use – an entire fleet of zero emission buses.
The fully zero emission bus network will be used across the town’s five bus routes. Seymour Passenger Services rolled out its first zero emission bus in January this year and is one of six operators across Victoria taking part in the Victorian Government’s $20 million Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Trial.
The trial will see 52 zero emission buses – 50 electric and two hydrogen – rolled out across Melbourne, Traralgon and Seymour.
The trial is helping inform the transition to zero emissions with data collected providing practical information such as how zero emission buses perform and the energy and charging requirements for different types of services.
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The three-year ZEB trial is also giving insights into how the buses can improve financial and environmental sustainability and foster vital local industry partnerships – such as with energy providers and manufacturers – that will be needed to achieve the transition across the state.
The trials form part of the Victorian Government’s plan for all new buses added to Victoria’s public transport routes to be zero emission vehicles, as the state transitions around 4500 diesel buses in the public fleet – including around 2200 in regional Victoria – to greener technology. This will begin from 2025.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the investment in zero emission technology would help to not only decrease the community’s impact on the environment, but also support local business and manufacturing.
“This is a win for the local community as Seymour bus passengers become the first in the state to benefit from an entirely zero emissions bus fleet and the quieter and smoother journeys that come with this greener technology,” Symes said.