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As such, Route 903, which can take anywhere from three to three-and-a-half hours from beginning to end, provides a perfect test case to prove the value of electric buses, and given the length of the journey, puts the bus to test in a variety of different traffic and weather conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cTransdev is committed to identifying cleaner transport options which have a positive impact on the environment and local communities,\u201d said Rachel Spencer<\/a>, Interim Managing Director at Transdev Melbourne.<\/p>\n \u201cThis trial is demonstrating the benefits of zero emission buses and providing valuable local insights about how this technology can be scaled up to operate zero emission bus fleets.\u201d<\/p>\n The electric bus trial is using a bus built locally by Volgren, based in Dandenong. Though it is difficult to determine exactly what bus is being used, it appears to be a bus purchased from Volgren by Transdev in November of 2019.<\/p>\n This, according to an announcement earlier this year in which Transdev announced that four new electric buses were rolling off the Volgren production line and destined for routes in Sydney and Brisbane.<\/p>\n If the electric bus running the 903 route is the same that was purchased in late-2019, it also spent time<\/a> on Melbourne\u2019s Route 246 and Route 251, providing high-frequency runs.<\/p>\n \u201cAustralia is on the cusp of an e-mobility revolution in public transport,\u201d said Luke Agati, Transdev Australasia CEO, speaking in March<\/a>. \u201cFor Transdev, it is our global experience paired with local ingenuity that is driving our charge towards the introduction of new zero-emissions fleets across our networks.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to see more Australians travelling on zero-emissions electric and hydrogen powered buses, and we want Australian bus manufacturers to lead the journey with us, so communities like Dandenong benefit through more investment in local businesses and more local jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n The Route 903 electric bus trial serves as an important steppingstone for Victoria\u2019s public transport network. Victoria announced in November of 2020 that it was allocating $20 million in its next budget to facilitate a zero emissions public transport bus trial.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, last month, the Victorian Government announced that all public transport bus purchases would be zero emission vehicles starting from 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cOur buses get thousands of Victorians where they need to go,\u201d said Ben Carroll<\/a>, Victoris Minister for Public Transport, speaking in November. \u201cThis investment will ensure a cleaner trip for our planet \u2013 and deliver hundreds of long-term jobs in the technology of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe want Victoria to become a global leader in smart, sustainable transport solutions \u2013 backing our local manufacturing industry and the thousands of Victorians it employs.\u201d<\/p>\n \n By Joshua S. Hill<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Source: https:\/\/thedriven.io<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nKNOW WHO WE ARE<\/strong><\/a><\/h1>\n