JENNY AITCHISON
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS

MEDIA RELEASE - TRIALS OF ZERO EMISSION BUSES ON ARMIDALE AND TWEED REGION SCHOOL ROUTES

Images available for download here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wlqtg7xdsi3i415am1jgj/h?rlkey=07tnzujswsvplha6ykwnr9nin&dl=0

Four electric buses will be rolled out on routes servicing 30 schools in the Armidale and Tweed regions in coming months as part of a trial of zero emission technology in regional NSW.

During the Transport for NSW trial, the battery electric buses will operate on routes in the Tweed area serviced by Kinetic and in Armidale by Edwards Coaches.

Vehicle dealership, VDI Australia has been awarded the contract to deliver the zero emission school buses –two to Armidale and two to Tweed.

Zero emission buses offer passengers a quieter, smoother, and more comfortable journey, and emit no harmful exhaust fumes, improving air quality.

The NSW Government has committed $25 million towards this project which will see a series of trials of zero emission buses and coaches across regional NSW.

Community feedback from passengers will be sought during the trials to provide information for the future roll out of zero emission buses.

The trials will be conducted using different vehicles and technologies in a range of environments, to understand what best suits regional and remote service needs.

The Tweed and Armidale communities will be updated when start dates for their trials are confirmed.

The trials will contribute to the transition of the state’s regional bus fleet to zero emissions by 2047.

For more information on the zero-emissions bus trial go to: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/zero-emission-buses

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“I am pleased to announce hundreds of students will soon experience a quieter and smoother ride to school as four electric buses are trialled in our regions.

“In the Tweed, at different times during the trials students from 17 primary and high schools will be able to catch an electric bus, while in Armidale and Uralla, at different times zero emission vehicles will run to and from 13 local primary and high schools.

“Testing the buses in the unique environments of Armidale, at 1000m above sea level, and the coastal climate and hilly topography of the Tweed will provide important data about how zero emissions buses can perform in regional NSW.”

Peter Primrose MLC, Labor spokesperson for the Northern Tablelands said:

“This trial is an important step towards the NSW Government’s plan to transition the state’s fleet of 8000-plus diesel and gas buses to zero emissions technology by 2047.

“It is particularly exciting for Armidale and Uralla to be taking part in this trial as it follows a better bus network unveiled in December with 23 more services each week.

“Trialling the buses in different conditions and routes across regional and rural NSW is key to ensure we collect data to make informed decisions about the most suitable technology for the transition to zero emission transport.”

Emily Suvaal MLC, Labor spokesperson for Tweed said:

“It is great news that the Tweed region has been awarded contracts for two zero emission buses in this exciting trial.

“The buses will run on routes transporting students to and from 17 primary and high schools and service eight different school routes at different times.

“The schools serviced are in Banora Point, Bilambil, Carool, Cudgen, Kingscliff, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads South, Terranora, and Tumbulgum.”

Further trials of zero emission buses are expected to be announced in the south and west regions of NSW in coming months.

MEDIA:

Wendy Fitzgibbon | Minister Aitchison | 0408 427 540

Amanda McCormack | Peter Primrose MLC | 0402 003 342

LJ Margeit | Emily Suvaal MLC | 0451 116 943