ABC #402

AUSTRALASIAN BUS & COACH 

ABC 

KINETIC 

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contents 

ISSUE 402 FEBRUARY 2021 

08 

in the know 

6. editorial | ignition 

With so much happening month to 

month, editor Cotter talks buses, new 

inter-country alliances, junk food and 

professinal knitting. Possibly. 

8. news | the front line 

We’ve gathered up all the key, 

hardhitting Australasian and 

international bus and coach news 

for you, to keep you in the loop. 

20. obituary | michael apps 

AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE 

The funeral for bus industry icon 

Michael Apps was held recently, with 

fond tributes from industry friends 

and colleagues. 

In focus 

24. In focus | adelaide hybrid bus 

ADELAIDE O-BAHN HYBRID BUS 

SERVICE STARTS 

South Australian bus operator Torrens 

Transit, which Transit Systems owns, has 

started to run one of its two new Scania 

hybrid buses on the Adelaide O-Bahn 

system. 

26. In focus | busword europe 

BUSWORLD EUROPE, 2021 DATES 

SET: OCTOBER, 9–14 

A growing tally of 303 exhibitors and 

75 per cent exhibition space has thus 

20 

far been allocated for the forthcoming 

Busworld Europe 2021 event, to be held 

in Brussels, Belgium, in October. 

28. In focus | marcopolo audace 1050 

MARCOPOLO LAUNCHES NEW 

AUDACE 1050 COACH IN OZ 

Volgren parent company Marcopolo has 

launched a new Audace coach series for 

4 

ABC February 2021 busnews.com.au

EDITORIAL 

Editor: Fabian Cotter 

ph: 0451 194 600 

e-mail: Fabian.Cotter@aremedia.com.au 

Technical Writer: Paul Aldridge 

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NSW Sales: Con Zarocostas 

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the Australian bus market – the Audace 

1050 – aimed at the school, charter and 

long-distance coach sector. 

34. coverstory | bci e-bus nsw 

FALLING INTO LINE 

BCI’s first operator delivery of its hero- 

EV Citirider E electric bus took place 

recently in south-west Sydney, We 

chat with Interline bus operator owner 

Joe Oliveri about his new BCI wheels 

and his big e-bus plans. Fabian Cotter 

writes. 

42. operator | sleepbus.org 

SLEEP MAKER 

Each year in Australia, fluctuating 

fortunes have meant that thousands 

of people unfortunately are forced to 

sleep on the streets unsheltered every 

night, let alone have some place safe to 

stay for longer. If indeed ‘charity begins 

at home’, what if that home is actually 

a bus – a ‘sleepbus’, to be precise? 

Fabian Cotter spoke to the CEO of the 

charity sleepbus, Simon Rowe, about 

his ongoing work. 

42 

48. driven | fuso rosa 

STYLE MEETS SAFETY 

It’s what you can’t see that’s exciting 

in the new Rosa. Paul Aldridge was 

left impressed by the list of safety 

features that now come standard 

with the new Fuso Rosa models. 

departments 

55. bus marketplace | classifieds 

FOR SALE! 

There’s hundreds of great vehicles 

and services listed here from some 

of the leading bus and coach 

companies on the planet. Have a 

look around and see what you might 

find in there! 

62. factory facts | bus deliveries 

MONTHLY RESULTS 

We know you love them and so 

we have the latest bus and coach 

supplier sales data collected and 

recorded for you to sink your teeth 

into. To know who is who and who’s 

done what simply check it out today! 

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busnews.com.au February 2021 ABC 

5

IGNITION 

FABIAN COTTER 

One step forward, two steps back 

A new economic and military alliance that could change the global 

balance of power? And we could be in it? Hmm... Sounds like fun. Maybe. 

“I said blue moon of Kentucky [gotta] 

keep on shining, 

Shine on the one that’s gone and left 

me blue. 

I said blue moon of Kentucky, keep 

on shining, 

Shine on the one that’s gone and left 

me blue.” 

Now, when an old Elvis Presley 

song plays across your favourite 

music streaming platform while 

doing the weekend vacuuming 

with the your wireless headphones on, I 

think it’s kind of rude not to shake your 

booty along when it is such a catchy beat. 

A cover version I would only recently 

learn (thanks DuckDuckGo), my old 

man – a country music-loving muso and 

guitar player himself at family parties and 

anywhere, really – use to drown out the 

house with Elvis vinyl-record tunes and 

Blue Moon of Kentucky always stood out 

most. That and Viva Las Vegas. 

As a totally uncoordinated and 

non-musical kid in a sporty-ish and 

musical family, connecting via Elvis tunes 

was basically some ethereal, spiritual 

experience. That, or hearing ‘Kentucky’ 

made me think about the chicken (I’m like 

5, what else could it be?) and the salivation 

would put Pavlov’s dog in the shade. 

Late teens, it’s heard again – boom! 

I’ve worked out where Kentucky is now 

– roughly – and I’m wanting to go there. 

Cowboy boots and hat on. Mid-20s, 

thwack! I’m now visualising spitting out 

chewed ‘tobacco’ onto someone’s front 

porch while I cradle my trusty shotgun as 

I sit, rocking away, watching tumbleweeds 

roll by me and someone’s lazy bloodhound 

at my feet named Bubba. 

Yep, good times. But now, the only thing 

cradled is the Hoover’s nozzle after shaking 

out the sock that got sucked up into it. 

This is what you get when you’re trying 

to switch off from the world via music to 

avoid news of lockdowns and cases and 

border closures and restrictions. Man... 

WHAT’S CANZUK? 

I’m glad you asked. Following Elvis came 

a clip about CANZUK? Yep, that’s what I 

asked as well. An alliance system based 

on economic, military and general life and 

diplomacy between Canada, Australia, 

New Zealand and the UK – crucially while 

each maintains its sovereignty – absolutely 

caught my interest. Not just for collective 

bus-making cooperation, but in general, 

especially in these uncertain times. 

Its website states: “CANZUK International 

was founded in January 2015 and is the 

world’s leading advocacy organisation 

promoting facilitated migration, free trade 

and foreign policy coordination between 

Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the 

United Kingdom (the ‘CANZUK’ countries). 

“Our campaign advocates closer 

cooperation between these four nations so 

they may build upon existing economic, 

diplomatic and institutional ties to forge 

a cohesive alliance of nation-states with a 

truly global outlook.” 

Go check it out. Let’s talk later… 

LET’S FLIP 

Inside this February Issue 402 of ABC 

magazine we have a veritable treasure 

trove of curiously interesting and weird 

and wonderful bus stuff to get your public-transport 

juices flowing. 

Firstly, on our cover this month is indeed 

one we have featured and tested before, 

but now in its TfNSW regalia it is BCI’s first 

Australian operator-delivered e-bus that’s in 

full service. 

In the hands of South-west Sydney 

operator Interline, the Joe Oliveri-run 

organisation runs a pretty tight ‘bus 

ship’ out in those parts and the new BCI 

Citirider E is the first electric bus to kick 

off his emerging electro-mobility fleet, 

due to include another nine Yutong e12s 

and possibly a Custom Denning Element 

according to word around the campfire. 

Speaking of the latter, you might want 

to make sure you stick around for our next 

issue as I’m confident ABC magazine will 

have an exclusive coming up about that 

one, too. Well, I’m pretty sure that will 

happen. I know the editor and he says it’s 

looking good, so I’m just going off that. ;) 

Check the BCI out on pages 34–40. 

Further inside we finally get to air our 

Fuso Rosa test drive, which has been in the 

kitty since late last year – or was that earlier 

this year? (I tell you, these outbreaks and 

travel restrictions are totally doing my head 

in these days). 

The safety-laden new Rosa has some 

small-bus/van class-leading tech as 

standard and some style tweaks really look 

the part as well. Ensure you check out that 

one on pages 48–53. 

And then we have something a bit 

different. A big thanks to the deftly efficient 

bus industry PR who brought this one to 

my attention, even though it included a 

few other brands other than their client. 

Now whether that was because we are 

technically dealing with used buses on this 

one, so really there’s ‘no sheep stations’ on 

it (totally used the old sheep stations line 

to freak out our international readers), or 

merely because it’s for a good cause, I’m 

not sure. But I like to think because it’s 

about a great charity modifying buses to 

give thousands of homeless people a clean 

and safe place to sleep at night, that this 

is reason they felt compelled to drop me a 

line about it. As the 2017 Telstra Victorian 

Charity of the Year winner, it’s proof of what 

a great and noble idea it is and I think 

particularly the concept overall is a great 

ambassador for the many uses and value 

of used buses these days. That’s on pages 

42–46. 

In terms of news, some big ones here. 

Kinetic (nee Skybus) has pretty much 

bought out Greyhound Resources (pending 

any final checks and approvals) and with 

rumours that Kinetic itself is sussing out 

the market for a buyer it will be interesting 

to see how that all unfolds. 

Also, NZ is helping out its councils 

update to cleaner public transport and 

bus fleets via some solid cash injection 

while operator Transit Systems has picked 

up a cool international customer service 

award. Read those and more news from 

page 8. 

Finally, good to hear – and without 

jinxing it – the January 2021 deliveries is on 

the up again, so that’s a great start to the 

year. A year that will have a slew of ups and 

downs, such is the way it seems to be now, 

unfortunately. 

On that note, catch you next month. And 

remember, be good! And if you can’t be 

good – be good at it, as they say. :) 

Until the next thrilling instalment. 

6 


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LR Compliant 8000kg GVM 

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EURO VI Cummins ISB4.5 140kw/700Nm with 6 Speed Allison 

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yutong.com.au

NEWS 

GREYHOUND RESOURCES SOLD 

TO SKYBUS-KINETIC 

MINING BUS giant Greyhound 

It should be noted Greyhound 

standards,” says Kinetic head of 

Resources has been sold to Kinetic 

Resources operates in the Bowen 

Australia, Matthew Carney. 

(née, Skybus) following the execution 

Basic, Hunter Valley, Olympic Dam 

“The resources sector is no 

of a contract to acquire the Mackay, 

and Darwin with key clients including 

different with reliable, safe and 

Queensland, operator’s 170-vehicle 

BHP, Anglo American and Conoco 

comfortable bus services essential 

fleet, Kinetic confirmed recently. 

The move – which does not include 

the Greyhound Australia business 

operating separate passenger coach 

services across Australia – sees Kinetic 

acquiring the largest resources 

(mining) bus operator in Queensland, 

delivering 179 contracted ‘busing 

routes’ across 29 sites, with services 

including airport to resources 

project transfers, dry hire and 

charter services. 

Phillips. 

The acquisition bolsters Kinetic’s 

existing capabilities for keeping major 

industries moving, which already 

includes delivering highly contracted 

specialist busing solutions for aviation 

and government departments and 

authorities, the company explains. 

“Governments, airports, schools and 

communities across Australia count 

on us every day to run bus networks 

that exceed performance and safety 

Above: 

The Greyhound 

Resources 

transaction 

to Kinetic is 

expected to 

complete March/ 

April, 2021. 

Below: 

Greyhound 

Resources’ 

170-vehicle 

fleet delivers 

179 contracted 

routes. 

to the success of large, long-life 

resources projects – and Greyhound 

Resources has demonstrated 15 

years’ experience delivering just that 

for industry-leading clients,” Carney 

stated. 

ONGOING COMMITMENT 

The announcement demonstrates 

Kinetic’s ongoing commitment to 

investing in Queensland, it states. 

Kinetic also operates govern- 

“Governments, airports, 

schools and communities 

across Australia count on 

us every day to run bus 

networks that exceed 

performance and safety 

standards.” 

8 


ment-contracted urban and 

regional bus services, private and 

government-contracted school 

services and charter services, it 

explains. 

Collectively, Kinetic is one trusted 

network with more than 3,000 

buses and 4,000 people delivering 

50 million passenger trips annually, 

it says. 

Greyhound Resources GM of 

operations, James Smith, says 

the company would continue 

to provide essential services 

supporting an important sector of 

Australia’s economy. 

“Over the past decade we have 

expanded our footprint into key 

regions in the resources sector with 

our commitment to delivering safe 

and trusted transport, and with 

Kinetic’s mass transit leadership 

we will continue to exceed 

performance standards,” Smith said. 

The transaction is subject to 

conditions precedent including 

regulatory approval and is expected 

to complete in March/April 2021. 

GREYHOUND AUSTRALIA 

As stated earlier, this acquisition 

does not include the Greyhound 

Australia brand and business, which 

is being retained by the existing 

shareholders and will continue to 

independently operate Australia’s 

largest national coach network 

connecting all mainland states and 

territories, Greyhound clarifies. 

Greyhound Australia’s business 

values and ‘feel the heart of 

Australia brand’ will continue on 

a business-as-usual basis, with 

continued focus on bringing joy 

to travel in Australia, according to 

Greyhound Australia CEO Alex de 

Waal. 

“The sale of the Greyhound 

Resources business will allow our 

existing shareholders and Express 

management team to focus on 

the optimisation and growth of the 

Express network,” Mr de Waal said. 

The Greyhound Resources 

business will operate on a 

transitional basis under the 

direction of existing shareholders 

from now until transfer of the 

Greyhound Resources business to 

Kinetic on or around April 1, 2021. 

NZD$50 MILLION 

‘DECARBONISATION’ AID 

FOR PUBLIC BUS FLEET 

NEW ZEALAND government funding of 

NZD$50 million has been committed to 

Kiwi councils to help fully ‘decarbonise’ 

their public transport bus fleets by 2035, 

it was announced recently. 

The move has been welcomed by 

global bus-making giant Alexander 

Dennis Limited (ADL) and local bus-body 

builder Kiwi Bus Builders, the companies 

confirm. 

ADL – a subsidiary of North American’s 

NFI Group Inc. – is to build zero-emission 

buses in NZ in cooperation with Kiwi Bus 

Builders, creating jobs and adding value 

to the local economy, it states. 

The funding to councils for the 

procurement of zero-emission buses is 

part of a series of measures intended to 

help meet New Zealand’s 2050 carbonneutral 

target, announced by NZ Prime 

Minister Jacinda Ardern and Transport 

Minister Michael Wood. 

By decarbonising the bus fleet, the 

country aims to prevent up to 4.5 million 

tonnes of CO2 emissions, it explains. 

ADL recently announced that it will 

assemble zero-emission buses locally in 

New Zealand, renewing a partnership 

with local manufacturer Kiwi Bus 

Builders. 

The British company’s electric buses 

for New Zealand are part of the BYD- 

ADL Enviro200EV range using latest BYD 

iron phosphate battery and driveline 

technology, it confirms. 

In addition to two-axle models, the 

partners will produce 12.6m-long, 

three-axle electric buses, which ADL has 

designed for the specific requirements of 

bus operation in New Zealand by carrying 

78 passengers without the requirement 

of an overweight permit, it states. 

CREATING JOBS 

Kiwi Bus Builders managing director 

Richard Drummond said: “We are primed 

to kick start the partnership, we have 

already started the process to create 

apprenticeships, creating jobs and 

supporting jobs that have been lost due 

to the coronavirus. This is in line with the 

New Zealand Government’s plan to build 

the economy back stronger.” 

ADL president and managing director 

Paul Davies said: “With a strong track 

record of innovation and as a member 

of NFI Group, we are leveraging global 

expertise in the design and deployment 

of clean buses while collaborating in 

close partnership with our customers 

by tailoring our vehicles to their 

requirements and assembling them 

locally. 

“Together with Kiwi Bus Builders, we 

look forward to helping councils across 

New Zealand deliver on the government’s 

commitments for a sustainable future.” 

Above: 

NZD$50 million has been committed to Kiwi 

councils to help fully ‘decarbonise’ their public 

transport bus fleets by 2035. 


9

NEWS 

CUSTOM-DENNING ELEMENT 

E-BUS NOW ADR APPROVED 

FOR BRAND fans the long-awaited 

Custom-Denning electric Element 

e-bus has officially attained Australian 

Design Rules (ADR) approval. 

The Custom-Denning Element was 

successfully registered on the national 

register as a compliant model as part 

of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, 

Custom-Denning confirms. As a result 

of testing for this compliance the bus 

has given a (conservative) range of 

500km, the company explains. 

The announcement comes 11 

months after Custom-Denning 

first revealed exclusive concept 

images of its Element e-bus to a 

widely welcoming reception given 

the perceived need for innovative 

Australian bus manufacturing, and at 

a time the bus industry was starting to 

feel the effects of coronavirus. 

Custom-Denning spokesperson 

Mick Neskes said: “We always knew 

our bus would be lighter thanks to 

our forward-thinking engineers in 

developing this lightweight chassis, 

but we never knew exactly what the 

end result would be. We are so pleased 

with this, and we know that we are in 

a great position with this product in 

more fronts than one,” he stated. 

The ADR approval is also a massive 

step that should bode well for 

Custom-Denning’s future hydrogen 

bus model, the Element H2, which 

will use the same e-bus body design 

albeit with electric hydrogen fuel-cell 

running gear. 

Matching the statements made 

during an online ‘teaser’ animation 

that Custom-Denning released last 

September, the e-bus will be available 

for delivery from May 2021, the 

company has announced. 

SUCCESSFUL TESTS 

As Custom Denning explained online, 

the first bus was in build and then 

started to be tested in October last 

year, with its solid-state batteries 

and Spheros air-conditioning 

choices proving key to the ultimate 

combination’s success, insiders reveal 

exclusively to ABC magazine. 

The Element is “Australian designed 

and manufactured for Australian 

conditions”, Custom-Denning states, 

and features a full low-floor and 

integral stainless steel frame design 

with new and exciting technologies.” 

It continues: “Utilising solid-state 

batteries, the Element is driven by 

a two-stage electric motor. During 

deceleration the bus enters electricity-generation 

mode, regenerating 

electricity which can reduce 

consumption by up to 50 per cent. 

With air-conditioning being one of 

the largest consumers of energy on 

buses, it explains that the Element’s 

main cabin air-conditioning is 

programmed to automatically sense 

the temperatures throughout the 

saloon via several motion detectors 

strategically placed around inside 

the bus. 

“The fast-acting plug-slide centre 

door deactivates the blower fans 

whenever opened, and with improved 

sealing capabilities reduces the loss 

of conditioned air from the passenger 

cabin,” it adds. 

“The Element’s intelligent battery 

management system monitors all 

main and auxiliary components 

at all times. The intelligent battery 

management system offers 

optimised operation with reduced 

power consumption and improved 

efficiencies, allowing for increase in 

operating range,” Custom Denning 

states. 

Also, the CAN network allows the 

driver to monitor usage via the LCD 

dash display. 

“The bus is fitted with Advanced 

Driver Assist System – ADAS. This 

enables protection for the following: 

collision warning and lane-departure 

warning, and pedestrian warning – 

which “...sounds an alarm inside the 

driver’s cabin and vibrates the seat 

to ensure the drivers is pre-warned 

about any possible collisions with the 

pedestrians.” 

In terms of charging, the bus can 

be placed on charge whenever at the 

depot including between duties or 

overnight, it says. 

“When the bus is ready for its next 

service the bus can be left on charge, 

air-conditioning and air compressor 

started, which enables the bus 

to obtain the correct operating 

conditions, which will increase battery 

capacity throughout the day,” the 

company explains. 

10 


BUS OPERATOR ATTAINS KEY 

CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARD 

Transit Systems NSW has been 

‘recertified’ to ‘Integration Level’ on 

the International Customer Service 

Standard (ICSS), it confirms recently. 

With the assessment evaluating 

the service, financial/governance, 

operational, and learning and 

growth perspectives of the 

organisation, the ICSS rates 

progress in terms of ‘intention’, 

‘implementation’ and ‘integration’. 

The ICSS applies a balanced 

scorecard methodology to assess 

the efficiency and effectiveness of 

an organisation’s strategy and is the 

world’s leading customer service 

management-system measuring 

tool, it explains. 

The process of certification takes 

a whole-of-organisation view and 

challenges an organisation to 

consider if it adopts an authentic 

customer focus in all decision 

making, it adds. 

Transit Systems NSW is part of 

the SeaLink Travel Group, Australia’s 

largest integrated land and marine, 

tourism and public transport service 

provider, the organisation states. 

SeaLink Travel Group CEO Clint 

Feuerherdt says the escalated 

certification of ‘Integration Level’ 

is a testament to the entire Transit 

Systems team, which continually 

strives for customer service 

excellence. 

“The 2020 ICSS Certification 

Assessment highlighted our 

commitment to customer service 

as a whole journey, recognising that 

there are many complex parts to 

our business, but our ultimate aim is 

to promote a culture that puts the 

customer at the centre of everything 

we do,” he said. 

“The recertification and 

achievement of a higher placement 

demonstrates that our team is 

Above: 

SeaLink Travel 

Group CEO Clint 

Feuerherdt says 

the escalated 

certification of 

‘Integration Level’ 

is a testament to 

the entire Transit 

Systems team. 

passionately striving for continued 

improvement across a range 

of social and environmental 

considerations, addressed through 

strategic planning and our customer 

charter, allied to our culture, systems 

and processes. 

“We are so proud of our team for 

their vision to enhance our customer 

service standards, and promote a 

culture of positive change. 

KNOW YOUR WAY 

AROUND A BUS? 

LOOKING FOR A CHANGE? 

TECH SAVVY AUTO ELEC / TECHNICIAN REQUIRED. 

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are looking for an experienced technician to join our team. 

Located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, this role involves 

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and more, along with commissioning, inputting data into our computer 

systems and web portals, programming of displays and next stop 

information programs and helping clients resolve technical issues along 

with fault finding and repairs. 

This role is very varied dealing with several different sorts of electronic 

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• A minimum of 2 years experience working on heavy vehicles – 

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• Auto electrician qualification (preferred) 

• Experience in CCTV installation and commissioning would be an 

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• Security Licence would be an advantage 

• Cabling Licence would be an advantage 

• Current Victorian Drivers Licence 

• High level technical skill 

• Be prepared to travel interstate 

We will provide a highly competitive salary package to the right person, 

and you will benefit from working within a small business in a role that 

differs each day. 

If you feel you have the skills we require please apply to 

fwatson@partssupply.com.au 

www.partssupply.com.au 


11

NEWS 

system customisable to specific engine 

characteristics, while enhanced diagnostics 

are available via integrated telemetry, it 

states. 

The system also features variable 

idle speeds, which enhances several 

transmission functions under different 

circumstances, ZF adds. 

‘NEXT-GEN’ ZF ECOLIFE 

BUS TRANSMISSION 

DUE SOON 

A ‘LIGHTER, more efficient and more 

robust’ ZF Ecolife bus and coach 

transmission is due to be released 

here in the Australasian/Oceania 

region. 

Said to be offering, “improved fuel 

savings of up to three per cent compared 

to the first generation transmission”, 

the compact weight-saving design 

Ecolife 2 is set to feature increased 

torque allowance of up to 2,000Nm 

for city bus use, ZF states. 

With a focus on lowering operating costs 

and emissions the “more highly developed” 

second-generation Ecolife will have an 

option for coaches that will cover an engine 

torque range between 1,700Nm–2,800Nm, 

says ZF. 

“It’s exciting that the Ecolife 2 bus and 

coach transmission is coming to Oceania,” 

said Shane Trenbath, ZF Services Australia 

technical services manager. 

FUEL SAVINGS 

As stated, via Ecolife 2 further fuel savings 

of up to three per cent will be available 

compared with the first Ecolife generation, 

claims ZF. 

The unit features numerous technical 

refinements that make it lighter, more 

efficient, more robust, and easier to 

Above: 

Ecolife 2 is the latest generation of automatic 

transmission systems for buses that can enable 

fuel savings of up to three per cent, ZF states. 

maintain, it adds. 

A torque converter with a new torsional 

damper enables fast and smooth shifting, 

and provides the Ecolife 2 with its 

stop-start function. 

Another innovation is the cooling 

concept; the stainless-steel heat exchanger 

mounted behind the transmission is now 

triple-ducted, integrating the transmission 

cooling system and eliminating the 

requirement for an additional housing, ZF 

explains. This results in weight savings of 

around 10 kilograms, and improved ease of 

maintenance, says ZF. 

Further advantages of the Ecolife 2 

come from the transmission control 

system, which enables a coasting function 

that contributes to fuel savings, with the 

ECOLIFE LEGACY 

From low life-cycle costs, fuel consumption 

savings, to savings on service brake 

component longevity, plus a host of 

usability and comfort advantages, the ZF 

Ecolife is in a class of its own, ZF says. 

At the heart of the efficiency savings 

is the six-speed configuration, which 

keeps engine revs low throughout 

acceleration. This is especially noticeable 

at speeds less than 20km/h when 

setting off, with two low-ratio gears utilised, 

which provides a fuel consumption 

advantage of up to 10 per cent in city 

applications when benchmarked against 

other transmissions featuring fewer overall 

gears, it says. 

Furthermore, the integrated ZF 

Primary Retarder system supports high 

braking effort which, proportionally, 

continues to apply braking force until the 

bus is almost stationary, ZF explains. This 

characteristic significantly reduces the 

demand on the vehicle’s service brakes, 

meaning lower lifecycle costs for the 

operator, ZF advises. 

Another feature of the transmission is its 

dual cooling system, with its transmission 

and retarder heat exchanger limiting 

excessive heat, which subsequently extends 

oil change intervals. 

LOW NOISE 

In recent years, the transmission system 

received a mid-life rework with the 

addition of a stop-start ready function, 

as well as new control software, named 

Topodyn Life. 

Factoring in prevailing driving conditions, 

the ZF Topodyn function selects the 

best shifting strategy for the upcoming 

topography while also adjusting braking 

force, which can reduce fuel consumption 

by up to five per cent, ZF states. 

With quieter buses of growing 

importance to fleet operators, passengers 

and the general public, Ecolife’s 

low-noise characteristics have proven 

to yield reduced noise pollution, with 

the transmission enjoying a noticeable 

advantage over the competition, both 

inside and outside of the vehicle. 

12 


2,000 BCI buses delivered to Australia 

BCI celebrate their 30th Anniversary, coinciding with the delivery of their Bus Number 2,000 to Australian 

customers. We would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to each of the 600 clients that decided 

to trust in our vehicles and join us in this three decades journey. 

Currently the first Australian owned 

bus manufacturers, BCI lead the race 

to supply zero emissions vehicles 

and have incorporated to their 

versatile range new designs for city 

buses and coaches, confirming their 

world-class engineering, innovation 

and dynamism. 

Bus & Coach International Pty Ltd 

Head Office Perth: 08 9353 9000 

Sales Enquiries: 1300 289 224 

www.bcibus.com.au 

Brisbane: 07 3275 6900 

Melbourne: 03 8787 2100 

Adelaide: 08 8182 3888

NEWS 

CLARKS LOGAN CITY LAUNCHES 

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 

QUEENSLAND operator Clarks 

and Torres Strait Islander people 

Department of Aboriginal and 

Logan City Bus Service launched 

and organisations, it announced 

Torres Strait Islander Partnerships 

its first Reconciliation Action 

recently. 

and the Department of 

Plan (RAP) to explore local 

The launch event was attended 

Employment, Small Business 

Below: 

As part of Clarks 

RAP design, 

Casey Coolwell 

developed the 

artwork ‘Creating 

Connections’, 

representing the 

development 

process of 

creating 

connections 

throughout the 

community. 

employment and development 

opportunities with Aboriginal 

by the Attorney-General, Minister 

for Justice and Minister for 

the Prevention of Domestic 

and Family Violence Shannon 

Fentiman and the Mayor of 

Logan City Council Darren Power. 

Clarks ‘Reflect’ RAP 2020–21 

is endorsed by Reconciliation 

Australia, acknowledging that 

Clarks is starting its reconciliation 

journey by scoping and 

and Training,” Hall said. 

“Through these collaborations 

and through building 

relationships with our local 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander stakeholders, we aim 

to gain a better understanding 

of how we can develop cultural 

awareness and capability of our 

people and mutually beneficial 

outcomes for Aboriginal and 

developing relationships with 

Torres Strait Islander peoples.” 


Islander stakeholders and 

TRUE LEADERSHIP 

exploring its sphere of influence, 

Minister Fentiman says the 

it explains. 

RAP shows true leadership by 

Clarks general manager Martin 

Clarks Logan City Bus Service 

Hall and RAP champion says it 

in developing meaningful jobs 

was an important milestone for 

for our diverse and growing 

the company, which had the full 

community. 

support of its stakeholders both 

“As one of Logan’s largest 

internally and externally. 

employers, the Reconciliation 

“We have developed 

Action Plan is such an important 

relationships with numerous 

initiative in developing cultural 

community groups in the 

awareness with our First Nations 

Logan region over our 40 years 

people, so we can build and 

of operation and this has 

foster harmonious communities,” 

recently grown to include the 

she said. 

14 


“Developing 

cultural 

awareness so 

we can build 

and foster 

communities.” 

Minister for Seniors, 

Disability Services and 


Islander Partnerships Craig 

Crawford says the Palaszczuk 

government strongly 

Queenslanders, including 

CREATING CONNECTIONS 

encourages businesses and 

Elders and young people, to 

As part of Clarks RAP design, 

organisations to join the state’s 

build the company’s cultural 

Casey Coolwell - a Quandamooka 

journey to reconciliation. 

“It’s wonderful to see Clarks 

Logan City Bus Service launch 

a Reconciliation Action Plan as 

part of a genuine commitment 

to engage with Aboriginal 

and Torres Strait Islander 

capability,” Minister Crawford 

said. 

“A planned approach to 

reconciliation will help enhance 

services, build workforce 

capability and drive economic 

opportunities.” 

woman with traditional ties 

to North Stradbroke Island - 

developed the artwork ‘Creating 

Connections’, representing the 

development process of creating 

connections throughout the 

community. 

Above: 

“It’s wonderful 

to see Clarks 

Logan City Bus 

Service launch 

a Reconciliation 

Action Plan,” said 

Minister Crawford. 

Victorian 

Sales Manager 

BLK is one of the first Chinese Bus manufacturers having supplied buses into 

Australia and New Zealand for over 14 years have now decided to enter as 

Manufacturer direct to end user to help expand the brands market reach on 

both sides of the Tasman. BLK is also known as the only Bus Manufacturer 

to offer a diverse range of buses from 8 Meter – 14.5 Meter, Coach & Citibus, 

2 Axle or 3 Axle, Articulated, Double Decker, Diesel, EV and now Hydrogen. 

BLK’s new focus upon the successful FMG (Fortescue Minerals Group) 

Hyzon 10 President tender appointment is ZERO Emission Hydrogen and EV 

Low floor Buses and Coaches. 

Reporting directly to the BLK Board, the overall responsibility of this role is 

to provide key account management to bus operators and local government 

authorities. 

Based within our Moorabbin facility, this role will be responsible for the 

overall strategy and success of bus sales within the key geographic regions 

of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania to support and service our already 

existing customer base. 

This includes the strategy for pricing and profitability, demonstration fleet 

management and sales promotions. 

This is a great employment opportunity for a dedicated and highly driven 

individual with outstanding communication skills and a passion for 

relationship management to support this position. 

A strong aftermarket network is already in place, with strong investments 

from BLK across both sides of the Tasman to drive sales success in this 

region. 

The successful candidate will have: 

• Tertiary or trade qualifications. 

• Previous experience in a similar role within the bus industry. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to give 

guidance and assistance where necessary. 

• A good understanding of OEM policies, operations and standards. 

• Strong influential and relationship building skills. 

• A proven capacity to work autonomously. 

• Heavy Duty Driver’s License. 

• Natural presentation and motivational skills and friendly approach with a 

willingness to get their hands dirty. 

Proven success in a similar role will also be considered…. 

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the right candidate……. 

Telephone Jason Pecotic in the first instance on 0414 793 639 or please 

send your CV in confidence to careers@blkauto.com.au 

ABC-HH-5170476-TS-402 


15

NEWS 

VOLGREN ANNOUNCES NEW 

HEAD OF ENGINEERING 

VOLGREN has promoted 

Brenton McCallum to the role 

of engineering manager after 

Joaquim Gomes returned 

to Brazil to take up such a 

role at the Australian bus 

manufacturer’s parent company, 

Marcopolo, the company 

reports. 

The change is part of a 

restructure of the engineering 

team that began at the 

start of the year with the 

appointment of Gomes, and 

involved the alignment of 

Volgren’s engineering and 

design processes with those of 

Marcopolo’s, Volgren explains. 

The structure instituted in March 

2020, will remain the same. 

Two ‘engineering leaders’ 

will report to the engineering 

manager as part of a team 

divided into two divisions: 

product and manufacturing. 

McCallum says the new 

structure has improved the 

team and is looking forward to 

working with both divisions. 

“The relatively recent addition 

of engineering leaders has 

proved to work extremely well. It 

empowers the leaders to make 

decisions and have a level of 

independence regarding their 

functional areas. It also sets up 

inherent levels of knowledge 

transfer of key skills and allows 

quick reaction to unforeseen 

circumstances,” McCallum 

stated. 

“Regarding the two 

engineering disciplines, I 

fully intend to enhance the 

relationship between these two 

areas of engineering. 

“Both have important skillsets 

which, when working in 

unison, can only improve the 

product and manufacturing 

environment,” he added. 

Above: 

“Being involved 

from the outset 

of this new 

product family is 

motivating, as it 

will involve many 

new and exciting 

challenges to 

be overcome,” 

says Volgren’s 

new head of 

engineering, 

Brenton 

McCallum. 

A NEW WAY OF WORKING 

Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro says 

the company is already enjoying 

advantages from the new way of 

working. 

“One of the key elements of 

the Marcopolo Way involves 

monitoring and control. This was 

something that Joaquim wanted 

to implement straight away 

within the office,” Deiro stated. 

“Through careful tracking 

and analysis of vital areas you 

can see where strengths, 

weaknesses, bottlenecks, 

inefficiencies and general areas 

of improvement are. 

“It is very powerful to know 

exactly how the department is 

performing and how they can be 

improved,” he added. 

Deiro says McCallum has 

been able to hit the ground 

running, which is one of the 

many benefits of nurturing talent 

within an organisation. 

“It is pleasing to see Brenton 

rise so quickly within Volgren. 

We have great confidence in his 

abilities and had no hesitation 

in promoting him. In fact, he 

has accepted two significant 

promotions in the space of 

a year.” 

McCallum says he has much 

to look forward to in his new 

role and will keep a particularly 

close eye on Australia’s shift to 

zero-emission vehicles. 

“There has been a big 

push recently from all levels 

of government regarding 

zero-emission vehicles, and 

this is a fantastic opportunity 

to show that Volgren can be 

an industry leader in this area,” 

McCallum explained. 

“Volgren received extremely 

positive feedback on our initial 

electric bus and we have begun 

work with other OEM chassis 

suppliers on their electric 

vehicles and other zero-emission 

technologies. 

“Being involved from the 

outset of this new product 

family is motivating, as it will 

involve many new and exciting 

challenges to be overcome,” 

McCallum said. 

16 


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NEWS 

THE WOT!?! 

BCSA HANDS OVER BLK- 

BONLUCK BUS REINS 

THE QUEENSLAND-BASED Australian 

distributor for Chinese-made 

BLK-Bonluck buses has ‘passed over 

the baton’ to new operators, it’s 

announced, with BLK factory operations 

commencing locally in February. 

The new company called BLK Auto 

will be headed by Jason Pecotic – also 

GM of Optare and Higer bus distributor 

Bus Corp Oceania and CEO of Hyzon 

fuel-cell bus distributor HDrive. 

PAYING TRIBUTE 

The move by BLK to establish its own 

operation in Australia has been made 

to enable the company to pivot to an 

electric and hydrogen fuel-cell bus 

operation and to give it the resources 

and backing to put it on a footing for 

a zero emission future, the company 

states. 

BLK director Ken Lee congratulated 

BCSA on the work it has done during 

the past 14 years. 

“Under the Bonluck name, BCSA has 

done a commendable job at pioneering 

and building sales of BLK product into 

the Australian and New Zealand bus 

and coach industry and establishing 

a strong reputation for reliability, 

dependability and back-up,” said Lee. 

EASY OFFER 

Aldridge has more than 40 years’ 

experience as a company director and 

in senior management roles for both 

private and public companies, as well 

as contracting to transport authorities 

across Australia. He is the current 

committee chair and been involved with 

Australian Standards for more than 40 

years, BLK Auto states. 

As managing director of BLK Auto 

Australia, Pecotic brings more than 

two decades of experience in the 

automotive industry, including roles in 

pioneering other automotive brands in 

this country. 

“I have long respected the BLK brand, 

and as a result when the opportunity 

to be a part of the new operation came 

about I could not pass it up,” he said. 

“The pivot to zero-emission bus 

technology is an enormous opportunity 

and, with the backing of BLK, we will 

have the resources and expertise to take 

the brand to a new level in Australia. 

“BLK is already a key part of 

one of Australia’s first hydrogen 

fuel-cell-powered bus orders, providing 

President 2 glider chassis for the 

winning tender with Hyzon Motors 

for Fortescue’s initial 10-bus order, for 

its mining operations in the Pilbara of 

Western Australia. 

“BLK Auto will also be distributing a 

new range of JAC Battery EV trucks, the 

first of which are set to arrive in Australia 

within the next two months to start 

trials with a number of online home 

delivery retailers,” Pecotic added. 

While BLK Auto will continue to be 

based in Queensland, it is immediately 

looking to appoint a Victorian sales 

representative along with a group 

general manager to oversee the sales 

and distribution throughout Australia 

and NZ, the company states. 

Above: 

BCSA’s Rodd Hood and Athol McKinnon 

(left) are moving on from BCSA, with new 

company BLK Auto run by Auto’s new 

chairman Peter Aldridge and managing 

director Jason Pecotic (right). 

NEXT LEVEL 

Turkish car maker Karsan, in collaboration 

with Californian tech company Adastec, 

has produced Turkey’s first domestically 

produced electric driverless bus. The 

8m-long Karsan Autonomous Atak Electric 

uses BMW 220-kWh Li-Ion batteries for a 

range of 300km and can carry 52 passengers. 

It is described as being the first massproduced 

electric bus in Europe and the US 

to feature Level-4 autonomous capabilities 

for the 8m-long market. 

MIND OVER MATTER 

In a striking example of interior design, 

US architecture student converted an 

old US$3,000 (A$3,888) school bus to a 

liveable space, giving it the name ‘Roamer’. 

“I definitely underestimated how long it 

would take to take out everything,” said 

Caleb Brackney. “There were over 1,000 

screws holding the bus all together.” Cue 

sympathetic groans from bus restorers 

everywhere! For all the info on the bus and 

its conversion process, check out his website: 

https://roameroutpost.com 

EYE CATCHING 

At the opposite end of the architecture 

scale, Zhengzhou Yutong Bus, China’s 

largest electric bus manufacturer, has had 

the painters in with a complete revamp of 

its headquarters in Zhengzhou. DU Studio 

was tasked with improving the building’s 

function and aesthetics, but also reusing as 

much of the original structure as possible. 

With features including a three-floor high 

plant wall installed in the atrium, we’re 

starting to feel a bit guilty about our 

chronically underwatered peace lily . Check 

out the pics at http://www.d-u-studio.com/ 

fwp_project/yutong-headquarter/ 

18 


OBITUARY 

MICHAEL APPS 

An Extraordinary Life 

Bus industry icon Michael Apps sadly passed away on 26 December, 2020. 

Michael’s Farewell 

Celebration was held at 

the Kamberra Function 

Centre in Canberra 

on January 18, 2021, attended 

by 150 friends, colleagues and 

family. An even greater number 

of 2,000+ joined the celebration 

online. Michael’s wife, Madonna, 

and his family sincerely extend their 

appreciation and warm wishes to 

all who participated. Michael also 

received a number of public tributes 

and these will be made available for 

a short time on the OzeBus website: 

ozebus.com.au/tributes.pdf. 

ABOUT THE MAN 

Here, BIC chairman Wayne Patch 

shares a few key memories about 

keen rugby player and fan Michael 

and his commitment and passion 

for the Australian bus industry. 

“In February 2002, the Bus 

Industry Confederation was 

established, and Michael, as many 

in Industry will know, served as its 

executive director for nearly two 

decades. 

“At the core of Michael’s national 

agenda for industry was the 

development of creative solutions to 

assist our nation’s policy makers in 

tackling the many challenges that 

confront us in respect of moving 

people around cities, regions and 

towns. He understood that the 

challenges we face cannot be 

overcome by any single transport 

mode solution and it was this 

acknowledgement that made him 

much more than just a bus industry 

advocate. 

“Michael led the national agenda 

for public transport, promoting the 

benefits of moving-people services 

as a national priority for all levels 

of government. His often irreverent 

approach masked the serious nature 

of the policies being espoused and 

enabled the BIC to get politicians 

and senior bureaucrats to consider 

BIC’s position. 

“Michael has formed countless 

trusted relationships with political 

20 


usnews.com.au February 2021 ABC 

21

OBITUARY 

MICHAEL APPS 

operatives of all persuasions, 

bureaucrats of all jurisdictions 

and industry participants in 

every sector. His collegiate 

approach to his work in 

Canberra gained him respect 

from all and strong friendships 

from many. 

“In the words of past BIC 

chairman Stephen Lucas, who 

spoke at Michael’s Farewell, 

so aptly said: ‘There are many 

stories about Appsy and his 

good-humoured approach to 

life… Tributes in the media have 

lauded him with descriptions 

such as loveable larrikin, but 

understate the genius of his 

lobbying. He was never offensive 

or angry… He made his point 

with wit and … yes …with a bit of 

cheek. He had strong friendships 

across the political spectrum 

and embedded solid public 

transport policy in the Australian 

government. 

“Industry and Australia are in 

his debt and we are unlikely to 

see anybody as effective again…’” 

“As chairman of the BIC, I leave 

you with these final words on our 

little mate. Michael embraced 

life – with commitment, 

courage, enthusiasm and joy. 

Australia has lost one of its most 

passionate public transport 

advocates with his passing. 

“Industry has lost a ‘bus 

captain’ who genuinely cared 

about all businesses, all interests 

and all people. 

“I have lost an esteemed and 

trusted colleague and I will 

always fondly remember him 

as a great friend whom I shall 

greatly miss.” 

22 



23

IN FOCUS 

ADELAIDE HYBRID BUS 

ADELAIDE O-BAHN 

HYBRID BUS 

SERVICE STARTS 

South Australian bus 

operator Torrens Transit, 

which Transit Systems owns, 

has started to run one of 

its two new Scania hybrid 

buses on the Adelaide 

O-Bahn system. 

With Transit 

Systems also 

currently 

having 

electric bus 

trials underway in New South 

Wales, Australia’s largest order 

of electric buses on track, and a 

partnership in the world’s first 

hydrogen bus consortium, the 

company – celebrating 25 years in 

business recently – “is driving real 

change in the way sustainable 

public transport is delivered”, 

it states. 

On Thursday, January 21, the two 

new Scania hybrids entered 

service for the Adelaide Metro, 

giving bus customers a “greener, 

cleaner commute”, according to 

Clint Feuerherdt, CEO of SeaLink 

Travel Group, which in turn owns 

Transit Systems. 

The buses join Transit Systems’ 

suite of sustainable vehicles as 

many governments make the move 

to more sustainable operations, the 

company explains. 

“We are leading the charge with 

sustainable transport solutions, 

24 


and we’re proud to be the first 

operator in South Australia to 

bring these hybrid buses into 

service for Adelaide Metro, 

Feureherdt said. 

“They proudly join our global 

fleet of innovative vehicles, where 

we have extensive experience 

and knowledge across electric, 

hydrogen and now hybrid 

capabilities,” he added. 

SYDNEY ORDER 

The announcement comes after 

Transit Systems confirmed it had 

placed Australia’s largest order of 

electric buses as part of the NSW 

government’s commitment to 

transition its diesel bus fleet to 

zero-emission technology, with 

31 buses set to arrive at their 

Sydney depots. 

That order followed the 

ongoing and successful electric 

bus trial with Transport for 

NSW (TfNSW), which has seen 

the fleet of four zero-emission 

electric buses rack up more 

than 300,000 kilometres over 

18 months, it confirms. 

“We are passionate about 

researching, developing and 

delivering more sustainable 

transport options and we are 

excited to work with partners 

who share our vision to create 

zero emission networks,” 

Feuerherdt said. 

25TH ANNIVERSARY 

CELEBRATIONS 

Transit Systems also recently 

celebrated 25 years in business. 

As the company explains, it 

began with a “... leap of faith, 

was sustained by enthusiastic 

professionalism and supported 

by an amazing team, and enters 

the second 25 years as a great 

Australian company, still on the 

threshold of growth.” 

On Sunday morning, January 

21, 1996, a green and white 

bus departed from a rented 

industrial property in Midvale, 

East of Perth. For the first 

time since August, 1962, an 

urban service bus in Perth was 

operated by a privately owned 

operator, it explains. 

From these humble 

We are 

leading the 

charge with 

sustainable 

transport 

solutions. 

beginnings, the business grew 

by winning new contracts 

in Perth, Adelaide, a marine 

business in Queensland, London, 

Sydney, Darwin, Singapore and 

Melbourne, eventually becoming 

the largest bus operator in 

Australia, it states. 

In January 2020, the Group 

trading as Transit Systems and 

Tower Transit, was acquired 

by ASX listed SeaLink Travel 

Group, and together the 

business became one of 

Australia’s most experienced 

and diverse multi-modal 

transport businesses, boasting 

performance driven capabilities 

across ferry, bus and light rail, 

it says. 

ABOUT SEALINK 

SeaLink Travel Group is Australia’s 

largest integrated land and 

marine, tourism and public 

transport service provider with 

Opposite, Above: 

The Transit 

Systems-owned 

Torrens Transit 

has started to 

run one of its 

two new Scania 

hybrid buses 

on the famed 

O-Bahn, recently. 

Top: 

Transit Systems 

is celebrating 25 

years in business, 

established international 

operations in London and 

Singapore, it explains. 

It is one of Australia’s most 

experienced and diverse 

multi-modal transport 

businesses, boasting 

performance-driven capabilities 

across ferry, bus and light rail, 

it states. 

SeaLink is made up of 

Australian marine and tourism 

operations and Transit Systems’ 

domestic and international 

public bus and light rail 

transport operations, it says. 

SeaLink moves more than 

285 million customers per 

year, has in excess of 8,840 

employees and operates 

approximately 3,500 buses and 

118 ferries, it adds. 


25

IN FOCUS BUSWORLD EUROPE 2021 

BUSWORLD 

EUROPE, 2021 

DATES SET: 9-14 OCT 

A growing tally of 303 

exhibitors and 75 per cent 

exhibition space has thus 

far been allocated for the 

forthcoming Busworld 

Europe 2021 event, to be 

held in Brussels, Belgium 

in October. 

Despite two notable 

omissions – Daimler 

Buses and Volvo Buses 

– Busworld Europe will 

take place in Brussels 

Expo on October 9–14. 

The Busworld team says 

its normal preparations are going 

“full speed ahead” and media 

campaigns are being booked and 

will start in April. The Busworld 

Awards organisation had its 

first meeting and will send the 

invitation to all bus manufacturers 

and also the sales department is 

adding new exhibitors every day, 

it confirms. 

As indicated in the online 

exhibitor list, on the renewed 

Busworld Europe website, two 

important names are missing: 

Daimler Buses and Volvo 

Buses, Busworld confirms. Both 

companies have decided not to 

participate in the Busworld 2021 

edition, organisers state. 

Conversely, other major brands 

will be present, it seems, such 

as: Van Hool, MAN, VDL, Scania, 

Irizar, Iveco, Solaris Bus & Coach, 

Anadolu Isuzu, BYD, Karsan, 

Alexander Dennis, Ebusco, Yutong, 

Caetanobus (with Toyota), 

Marcopolo and many more. 

The complete list is available 

at www.busworldeurope.org. 

WHAT’S IN STORE 

In total the vehicle manufacturers 

and body builders represent 30,000 

26 


square metres in the Brussels 

Expo. Many premières and 

top-of-the-bill buses, coaches 

and minibuses will be on 

display, as always, says Busworld, 

meaning, “…visitors will still be 

able to satisfy their bus needs.” 

At the time of publishing, 

Busworld registered 303 

exhibitors and sold 75 per cent 

of its total space, so interested 

exhibitors, “…should not postpone 

We are working 

and investing 

from our side to 

get buses and 

coaches on the 

road again. 

their bookings, since the best 

spots are being taken very rapidly 

now,” Busworld states. 

“We are extremely grateful to 

our loyal exhibitors who give us 

their trust,” said Busworld Europe 

director Mieke Glorieux. 

“We will make sure they will 

not regret standing together 

with us. Dr. Nicholas Butler once 

said: ‘Optimism is essential to 

achievement and is also the 

foundation of courage and true 

progress.’ We are working and 

investing from our side to get 

buses and coaches on the road 

again, together with our brave 

exhibitors and our worldwide 

network. 

“Thanks for all the support. 

Let’s rock in October!” 

ABOUT BUSWORLD 

Busworld started its journey 

in 1971 and has completed 

50 years of success, it states, 

and is the most recognised 

international exhibition in the 

world exclusively for the bus and 

coach industry. 

The parent exhibition is 

Busworld Europe with other 

events facilitating worldwide 

coverage. The current satellite 

exhibitions in 2021 are North 

America, Central Asia and 

Southeast Asia. In 2022 Turkey, 

India and Russia are on the 

agenda, Busworld confirms. 

Opposite and above: 

Big names like Iveco 

and MAN will be 

showing off their 

latest vehicles. 

Top: 

“We are extremely 

grateful to our loyal 

exhibitors who give 

us their trust,” said 

Busworld Europe 

director Mieke 

Glorieux. 

Below: 

Many premières 

and top-of-the-bill 

buses, coaches and 

minibuses will be on 

display, as always, 

says Busworld, 

meaning, “…visitors 

will still be able to 

satisfy their bus 

needs.” 


27

IN FOCUS MARCOPOLO AUDACE 1050 

MARCOPOLO 

LAUNCHES 

NEW AUDACE 

1050 COACH 

IN AUSTRALIA 

Volgren parent company Marcopolo has 

launched a new Audace coach series for the 

Australian bus market – the Audace 1050 – 

aimed at the school, charter and long-distance 

coach sector, the company announced recently. 

Available in either 57 fixed or 

53 reclining seat models 

– and available to order in 

Australia from February 

2021 – both buses feature 

high levels of customisation and flexibility 

with options for toilets and wheel-chair lifts 

installed, explains Marcopolo. 

Available to order exclusively by Australian 

operators from February 2021, the updated 

model continues the momentum for the 

popular vehicles since first launching in 

Australia in 2013, it states. 

As a point of note for local bus fans, 

Marcopolo has brought a total of 200 

Audaces into the country through its 

Australian operation, Volgren. 

The changes range from major design to 

bodywork adjustments to wholesale seating 

modifications, says Volgren’s national sales 

manager Yuri Tessari. 

“The Marcopolo Audace is a proven 

performer with more than 450 units sold 

globally each year. It’s a high-quality, 

flexible bus on a top-class European chassis, 

and it offers plenty of passenger comfort 

while being competitively priced,” Tessari 

explained. 

“It’s also an incredibly versatile bus that 

can be used in a range of applications 

from school runs, charter, mining and 

long-distance trips. 

“The changes we’ve made are mostly 

design refinements and body 

improvements, apart from one major shift: 

we are now offering a version of the Audace 

1050 with reclining seats and retractable 

armrests, aimed at long-distance operators 

who want to offer passengers extra comfort,” 

he stated. 

Tessari says the changes are a result of 

operator feedback and the company’s 

global insistence on continual improvement 

in design and engineering – backed up 

by arguably the most successful bus body 

builder in the world. 

“Since we first launched this bus in 

Australia we’ve made strong progress in 

standardising the way we build buses all 

over the world,” he said. 

“We call our manufacturing method – it’s 

actually about our entire workplace culture – 

the Marcopolo Way, and as we work towards 

it we improve our buses in every one of our 

facilities. You can see that improvement in 

this bus.” 

BORDER HOPES 

The launch comes after a difficult period for 

operators impacted by Covid-19 and Tessari 

says that as Australian state borders open 

again he hopes the Audace launch will help 

ensure operator confidence in the sector. 

“We know better than most that the 

travel and tourism industry, which includes 

school, charter and coach operators, has 

been badly affected over the last 10 or 11 

months,” he stated. 

“All operators will be looking at 2021 

with a renewed sense of optimism and 

perhaps with a fresh start in mind, so we 

think the new Audace enters the market 

28 


The beauty of the Audace is you get an 

upgraded version of one of the most popular 

and versatile buses of its type. 

at the right time,” Tessari explained. 

“The Victorian government 

announced in December last year a 

quarter of a million dollars to upgrade 

the Great Ocean Road, which is such 

an important destination for coach 

operators. I think that demonstrates 

that some confidence and optimism 

is returning to the industry.” 

CHASSIS SPEC 

The first two Audace 1050s that have 

arrived in the country are built on a 

Volvo B8R Euro 5, two-axle chassis 

with ZF automatic transmission. They 

will be supported locally by Volgren`s 

strong after-sales support with 

presence in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA, 

Marcopolo confirms. 

“The beauty of the Audace is you 

get an upgraded version of one of 

the most popular and versatile 

buses of its type on the planet built 

specifically for this country with 

after-sales service offered by 

Australia’s most trusted bus 

body builder,” Tessari stated. 

“As an operator you can expect 

precisely the same after-sales service 

with your Audace as you’d get with a 

Volgren Optimus.” 

QUICKSILVER INVESTMENT 

Quicksilver Cruises (QSC) coach 

operations manager Ben Tozer – one 

of Australia’s leading Great Barrier 

Reef tourism operations – has four 

Marcopolo Audaces in his fleet. 

Quicksilver coaches transfer 

passengers from Cairns and 

surrounds to Port Douglas, it 

explains. The coastal road is one of 

the most scenic drives in Australia, 

but due to its winding, hilly course 

it’s demanding on coach safety and 

passenger comfort, it adds. 

“After careful consideration the 

Marcopolo Audace was chosen as 

the coach for Quicksilver’s 

coach-replacement program. QSC 

took possession of their first Audace 

in 2016. Since then three more 

Marcopolo Audaces have been 

added to the fleet,” Tozer said. 

Top: 

The first two 

Audace 1050s 

that have arrived 

in the country are 

built on a Volvo 

B8R Euro 5, twoaxle 

chassis with 

ZF automatic 

transmission, 

Marcopolo 

confirms. 

Above, Right: 

Audace 1050 

with 57 fixed 

seats. 

Opposite, 

Bottom: 

Audace 1050 

with 53 reclining 

seats. 

“The Audace have performed well 

with numerous compliments from 

passengers and drivers on its comfort 

and handling. Fuel consumption, 

servicing and after sales assistance 

have been consistently good. 

“The investment in the vehicles 

highlight Quicksilver’s commitment 

to the comfort of our passengers and 

also ensuring we continue to lead in all 

aspects of environmental sustainability 

and reducing our carbon footprint,” 

he added. 


29

SPONSORED CONTENT 

ZF DRIVES 

ELECTRIC INNOVATION 

ZF and the word ‘technology’ have been intrinsically linked for decades because, 

from the very beginning, that is what ZF has done – develop, manufacture and 

deliver innovative technology to the world’s automotive manufacturers. 

Whether it is passenger cars, 

light commercial vehicles, 

trucks, or buses and 

coaches, ZF technology 

has been central to the safety, performance 

and efficiency of these vehicles for 

generations. 

And in the e-Mobility space, ZF’s years 

of research and development continues to 

place it ahead of the competition. 

“For over 100 years, ZF has globally 

developed a reputation as a leader in 

automotive systems, and has subsequently 

been at the forefront of the move towards 

electrification in the commercial vehicle 

segment,” said Shane Trenbath, technical 

services manager, ZF Services Australia. 

“What makes ZF unique is that the 

expertise for all of the different components 

of the EV system are available from a single 

source, which truly sets us apart.” 

THE NEXT STEP 

The AxTrax AVE portal axle has already been 

installed in over 2,200 electric buses globally, 

which have subsequently travelled around 

150 million kilometres with zero-emissions. 

Local Oceania manufacturers including 

BusTech Group in Australia, as well as 

Zemtec and Global Bus Ventures in New 

Zealand, have selected AxTrax AVE in their 

designed chassis, with trials commencing 

shortly. 

The system can be utilised in numerous 

configurations, including pure electric buses, 

hybrid buses and trolleybuses, in both solo 

and articulated wheelbase configurations, 

with energy provided by battery, fuel cell, 

supercapacitor or mains supply. 

Instead of a traditional driveline featuring 

an engine, transmission, prop shaft and 

a differential, the AxTrax AVE features a 

compact electrical engine installed within 

what would typically be the hub of the 

wheel. 

Providing high-torque output, the system 

keeps weight low, while also saving space. 

The system utilises regenerative braking, 

which tops up battery stores while saving 

on service brakes, with the overall system 

containing fewer moving parts that in turn 

simplifies the maintenance task. 

Tuned specifically for each installation, the 

AxTrax AVE system features an inverter and 

the ZF EST 54 control unit, which manages 

power requests, recuperation and energy 

storage needs. 

ZF CETRAX DRIVE SYSTEM 

For manufacturers looking to integrate an 

electric drive system into their conventional 

vehicle designs, the CeTrax is a recent 

addition to the ZF range, opening up a host 

of installation options. 

Bus manufacturers can utilise the 

system in both low-entry and high-floor 

applications, as well as for low-floor buses in 

combination with the AV 133 portal axle. 

With a maximum power output of 

300 kilowatts and a top torque figure of 

4,500Nm, CeTrax has the performance to 

overcome the toughest terrain. 

Featuring tried and proven components 

from the ZF-EcoLife city bus transmission, 

the CeTrax is lighter and more compact 

than combustion engine options, all while 

allowing for the use of standard axles and 

common differential ratios. 

THE WHOLE PACKAGE 

ZF’s OE range for buses and coaches 

features a vast catalogue of parts, from 

driveline, to steering, brakes, chassis and 

electronic components. 

Transmissions include the proven EcoLife 

and AS Tronic, as well as TraXon. 

Aftermarket components from ZF and 

its LEMFÖRDER, SACHS and TRW brands 

include the CDC electronic damping 

system, individual dampers, ActivMode and 

EV Series power steering pumps, clutch and 

dual mass flywheel systems, and electronic 

control units. 

There is also a myriad of parts including 

steering systems and chassis, axles, clutches, 

brake components and lubricants. 

Further details are available at zf.com/ 

au, or by calling 1800 ZF SALES (1800 93 

72537). 

30 


Systematic Perfection! 

The electric driveline is here to stay. ZF therefore provides two solutions for city buses up to 29t. From these two 

solutions bus manufacturers and end customers choose the system that suits their requirements best: the AxTrax AVE 

electric portal axle or the CeTrax electric central drive. Both products feature high peak and constant power with 

liquid cooling and a low dead weight. The AxTrax AVE with two integrated wheel motors and a maximum power of 

250 kW can be installed with conventional ZF low-floor axles and allows for innovative bus concepts. With the 

integrated planetary stage of ZF EcoLife, CeTrax transfers 300 kW to the road and can be installed in all types of 

buses with standard axles. The ZF experts provide the same long-term support and service from a single source as 

for conventional systems. zf.com/buses 

For more information, 

contact ZF Services Australia 

02 9679 5555 

ABC-FP-5211235-TS-402

EVENT NEWS 

JUST AROUND 

THE CORNER 

A stream of announcements about the new products that will be on 

display at this year’s highly anticipated Brisbane Truck Show will be 

coming soon, so stay tuned. 

With visits to 

showrooms and 

customers off 

the cards for 

significant parts 

of the past year, the 2021 Brisbane Truck 

Show presents the best opportunity 

to come together and reconnect with 

customers, peers and the entire industry. 

It also allows for these new products, 

models or innovations to be seen up close. 

That applies across the full range of 

trucks, trailers, components, technology, 

equipment, accessories and even 

merchandise. 

On the opening morning of the show, 

highly anticipated new models will be 

unveiled to an eager audience. 

Before the doors open the halls are busy 

with sales teams putting a final polish 

on every item and every counter. It is a 

beautiful thing to see the lights come on, 

screens light up and the doors open. 

But first is the media tour. Each of the 

truck manufacturers has five minutes for 

each of their brands; the aim is to get the 

pack of industry journalists excited about 

the latest innovations. 

Each manufacturer has a different 

pitch based on its new model: is it packed 

with safety technology, will it be more 

productive than existing models, or will we 

see the spotlight on sustainability in 2021? 

Executives from each of the brands are 

on hand to pull the silks off and tell their 

stories. Their enthusiasm is infectious. 

It is hard not to imagine your own 

livery painted across cab doors and 

trailer curtains. 

This year will be a little bit different 

because the crowd will not be packed so 

tightly as we ensure a COVIDSafe event. 

But we promise you will be able to get up 

close to the new models and innovations. 

We are lucky enough to be attending 

the Southern Hemisphere’s largest 

automotive event, in one of the world’s 

best convention centres. 

That means your experience has been 

You get great value for a 

fun day’s entertainment. 

It is hard not to 

imagine your own 

livery painted across 

cab doors and trailer 

curtains. 

carefully planned to ensure your safety 

and wellbeing are the highest of priorities. 

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition 

Centre, the Brisbane City Council, the 

Queensland Government, and the truck 

show’s organiser Heavy Vehicle Industry 

Australia are leaving no stone unturned in 

ensuring a COVIDSafe event. 

Likewise, the exhibitors are putting the 

same degree of care into the planning 

of their exhibits and following detailed 

guidelines that have been developed to 

give everyone confidence that the rebirth 

of major Australian business events is 

delivered successfully by every measure. 

Tickets are on sale now. It is hard 

to imagine better value for a full day’s 

entertainment and yet this year the 

show delivers. 

Not only is the Brisbane Truck 

Show accompanied by the South 

Bank Truck Festival with a huge display 

of trucks and trailers on display in 

the parklands, and all the free 

entertainment in the area, this year 

your ticket will also get you into the 

new Civil Construction Field Days – the 

new heavy equipment and machinery 

show awash with everything you could 

ask for in excavators, graders, rollers and 

the like. 

All of that on one ticket! 

Then, add to that the chance to win the 

Ultimate VIP Experience Package just by 

registering your ticket. 

The BTS21 major promotion partner, 

Morris Finance, has put together a 

package of amazing experiences including 

a box at the AFL, V8 supercar hot laps, four 

Bathurst 1000 corporate suite tickets, and 

your own racing simulator. 

Add to that a large screen TV, SP Tools 

voucher, bar fridge, BBQ, Walkinshaw 

Sports golf buggy, a fire pit, dart board 

and more. 

It’s a heck of a prize and you will be 

in the running when you purchase and 

register your ticket to the show. 

32 


INNOVATION - SUSTAINABILITY - SAFETY - KNOWLEDGE - CAREERS - COMMUNITY

COVERSTORY 

INTERLINE BCI E-BUS 

FALLING INTO LINE 

On course to be the second largest e-bus operator in NSW, Interline’s 

initial 10-vehicle fleet in 2021 kicked off with its first BCI Citirider E 

delivered for south-west Sydney, recently. Owner Joe Oliveri took some 

time out for ABC magazine to talk all things electric bus and where 

the industry should go from here – and why. 

WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES COURTESY BCI + BUSNSW 

34 


If you’ve been around the traps 

long enough and have the 

appropriately thinning grey 

hairs to prove it then you 

might recall a series of mid- 

’80s automotive lubricant television 

commercials with the catchy 

catchcry “Oils ain’t oils”. 

The cheeky Capone-vibe message 

delivery not only ensured it remains 

deeply rooted in the nostalgic 

memory banks of the kid viewers 

of the day, but underscored the 

simple and logical warning that not 

everything is as it seems, or that not 

all products and services – in that 

case car oil – performed equally as 

many might foolishly hope for. 

‘You get what you pay for’? Well, 

kind of something like that. 

Applicable in all kinds of realms, 

the highlighting of such difference 

is equally at play in the rapidly 

emerging world of zero-emission 

buses (ZEBs) and sundry ancillary 

technologies such as batteries, 

charging infrastructure, air-conditioning 

system optimisation or 

hydrogen city bus applicability. 

Even how effectively drivers are 

trained to drive them optimally. 

This means that discerning choice 

of all components could prove 

many an operator’s greatest (i.e. cost 

prohibitive) challenge. 

And it is these types of insights 

and erudite bus-purchasing advice 

that can be gleaned when talking to 

long-established local bus operators 

like Interline’s Jo Oliveri. 

INITIAL RESULTS 

“The minister announced that he 

wants 8,000 buses to be electrified 

by 2030 – but 90 per cent of the 

operators wouldn’t have a clue what 

they were buying, nor know what 

they are trying to buy,” Oliveri stated. 

“I don’t think they’ve researched 

it enough and if they did their 

research it must be different to 

mine,” he added curiously. 

“I was really into hydrogen, 

but then I started looking into 

it – and it’s not about the cost of 

the bus and the cell; it’s about 

the continuation and the price 

of hydrogen and how to make 

hydrogen. 

“If you get hydrogen off a 

by-product of something else and 

it’s cheap enough, hydrogen is a 

way to go for distance. But in saying 

that, this 12.5-metre BCI we are 

testing out on all the shifts we are 

doing has so far already done a 

double shift and it came back with 

30 per cent power! 

“Other people have said ‘well, how 

many kilometres [distance] does it 

do?’ Well, sure, the more kilometres 

a bus does means the more energy 

it needs to do it because it’s actually 

pushing the motor, but I don’t 

care how many kilometres it does 

because, for me, my diesels are for 

two shifts, which means the driver 

changes over at Macquarie Fields or 

they do a quick changeover in the 

yard at Leppington. 

“The bus is out for 16–18 hours, so 

I don’t care how many kilometres it 

does because I know the shifts call 

for x-amount of hours. And that’s all 

I have got to worry about. 

“I have to make sure it goes out, 

does the second shift, and has 

enough power to get back to the 

yard. And so far the one we tried, 

the BCI with 422kW batteries, it 

went out at 6.00am, it came back 

just before the second half for about 

an hour, and it went out again and 

came back at 10.30pm – that’s 

close on to 17 hours, right?” Oliveri 

analysed. 

“So that’s it, that’s my basic game. 

Now, if I was doing Nightrider I 

would expect the bus to do three 

shifts because I know the modern 

diesels can do that, but two shifts 

does me, and so far it’s showing 

promise.” 

DRIVER TRAINING 

“Only this morning I was out 

showing the driver how to drive 

it because everyone – including 

the Chinese and the Aussies 

[manufacturers] – don’t know how 

to conserve [battery] energy; they 

are expecting the driver training 

to help do all this, depending 

on [the driver] putting their foot 

on the brake or taking it off for 

regeneration, depending on how 

you want to configure the bus,” he 

explained. 

“I did an experiment and I put in 

a driver that I told - but didn’t harp 

on about - conserving energy to 

‘keep it in the green’ and that way 


35

COVERSTORY 


Top: 

It’s so quiet on the 

road that an artificial 

sound when moving 

below 30km/h alerts 

pedestrians near the 

e-bus. 

Above: 

Driver training around 

braking is important to 

maximise battery use. 

Opposite, Above + 

below: 

BCI’s Citirider E 

12.5m-long bus is one 

of the lightest on the 

market. 

we’ll get two shifts out of it, right? 

The first driver did what he had 

to do for half an hour then forgot 

what he was supposed to be doing 

and just pounded the crap out of 

it. And even doing that the second 

driver – a more conservative and 

conscientious driver – took it out for 

the second part of the shift from 

2.30 in the afternoon and finished 

at 9.45 that night – and he was 

wrapped [to get back with charge]. 

“There’s other little things that 

operators have to be careful of with 

an electric bus. Technically, as far 

as I know, all electric buses when 

it’s got 100 per cent charge won’t 

regenerate for the first 2 per cent of 

discharge because ‘it’s got nowhere 

to put the charge’ – and that’s where 

the electronic brakes become the 

throttle, feeling a little bit more like 

a standard bus.” 

POWER CONSUMPTION 

“Air-conditioning is a major, major 

part to this [electric buses]. The 

Thermo King that’s on this one took 

about an hour and half to get down 

to a set temperature on a really hot 

day we had here when I had the bus 

out for eight hours. It took a lot of 

energy to get it down initially. I asked 

‘can we have it drop down fast then 

let it stay 1-2 degrees around the 

desired temp? Just like a housing 

cooling/heating system? If you come 

into your house from 40-degree heat 

without the air conditioner on it’s 

going to struggle to bring it down to 

a set temperature, right? But if you 

turn that air conditioner on in the 

morning when there is no heat, that 

air conditioner will bring it down 

to a set temperature within 5–10 

minutes and sit there. That way, like 

in a house, when you know it’s going 

to be a hot day you turn the aircon 

on early, so then the floor is cold, all 

the furniture is cold, the roof is cold – 

and it’s the same with a bus. 

“The energy that the seats absorb, 

the steel in the bus, it will take the 

heat. Then as it’s cooling down it’s 

going to release that heat. But if you 

can actually get the bus to be cool 

before it [the day] actually gets hot 

then it [the air-con] doesn’t need to 

really do any ‘work’. Ultimately, even 

with those conditions the BCI would 

come back [after two shifts] with 30 

per cent power.” 

BATTERY COOLING 

Oliveri explains that while driving 

36 


there is virtually no noise at all other than 

from air conditioning because on the BCI 

it actually cools the batteries. Interestingly, 

if the batteries get too hot the air 

conditioning will override and just cool 

the batteries, which is only for around 10 

minutes if you are lucky, he says. Whereas 

other systems, different technologies 

like solid state must be kept at a certain 

temperature, which he says go into a liquid 

state at about 60 degrees. 

“Driveability? The BCI handles really, 

really well. It’s really stable. You wouldn’t 

have a clue there’s a tonne and a half of 

whatever it is on the roof. I don’t know 

what the new Yutongs are like, which 

The only thing drivers have to do at the 

moment is keep it in the green and make sure 

you get the maximum efficiency out of it. 

I haven’t taken for a drive yet; the old 

test Yutongs used to sort of swing a bit 

because of the roof pod. 

“The 12.5-metre BCI is just like any other 

BCI. With everything non-European, I don’t 

think the turning circle is as good as the 

European buses, but I’ve been guaranteed 

the next one we get will have that turning 

circle in it because I can’t get them around 

all the roundabouts we have in our area,” 

he laughed. 

”But overall the only thing drivers have to 

do at the moment is keep it in the green 

and make sure you get the maximum 

efficiency [out of it].” 

TYRE WEAR 

“The BCIs have the motor at the back 

of the bus. They’ve got a standard diff, a 

standard tailshaft – but they haven’t got 

a transmission. Whereas [other e-buses] 

have wheelhub motors – and that’s an 

issue for me,” Oliveri stated. 

“It wasn’t at first, but I started 

researching and found they wear out back 

tyres and they wear out front tyres quicker 

than a normal bus – about 50 per cent 

faster than normal,” he said. 

“Why? Not because of weight or the 

acceleration [e-buses are fast if not 

limited], but because it hasn’t got a 

differential; buses like the BYDs have the 

motors in the hubs, so that means that a 

computer has to control turning circles. So 

if they don’t get that right then one tyre is 

going to push another tyre and it’s going 

to push the other tyre and naturally it’s 

going to wear out quicker. So that’s one of 

the main reasons I didn’t want to go out 

and buy $600 tyres. 

“Volvo (I’ve seen one of the Volvo e-bus 

chassis), BCI, Custom Bus, Bustech – 

they’ve all got a motor and no transmission 

(except for the Volvo) and a tailshaft to a 

normal diff.” 

CHARGING COSTS 

The key for operators as they transition to 


37

COVERSTORY 


INTERLINE’S FLEET 

Though the BCI is the first electric bus for Sydney’s south west region – run by Region 2 operator Interline – another nine Yutong e-buses are due 

throughout 2021, and possibly a Custom-Denning Element to come, sources reveal exclusively to ABC magazine. 

The ‘quieter and cleaner’ bus journeys in Sydney’s south west will see Interline’s new electric BCI Citirider EV bus initially operate on routes 859 

(Carnes Hill to Edmondson Park) and 858 (Oran Park Town Centre to Leppington), Transport for NSW confirmed. 

The BCI e-bus is capable of running for up to seven hours on a full charge, TfNSW explained, while (at the time of print) the first two of the 

remaining nine Yutong electric buses have been delivered (presently at Wales) with the remainder due to Interline by the end of the year, we hear. 

ABC magazine video footage of the new BCI bus in action around Leppington Station gives the electric-bus uninitiated some sense of how quiet 

this BCI e-bus is in action. Surprisingly, a BCI spokesperson confirms that, for safety, that sound is an external artificial noise to alert pedestrians, which 

cuts out at 30km/h. 

NSW minister for transport and roads Andrew Constance says it is one of more than 50 new electric buses being delivered across Sydney this year. 

“Five electric buses have already been trialled in Sydney’s inner west and now it is time for customers in the south-west to start reaping the benefits 

of this amazing technology,” Minister Constance stated. 

“We are one step closer to creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, with inner-west customers and staff already 

giving us positive feedback about the quieter journeys. 

“The NSW government is committed to transitioning its 8,000 diesel buses to zero-emission technology and I have previously set Transport for NSW 

the goal of electrifying the fleet by 2030.” 

All the drivers 

who have driven 

it have given it a 

big tick so far. 

it in for about $230,000. 

“And then the infrastructure inside 

the yard, the chargers are worth 

about $55,000 each. To get that 

fixed for five chargers was $29 grand. 

The cabling alone was $22,000. 

So, a switchboard to get the 

2,000 amps in was $28,000. And 

for every two buses you need one 

charger. 

“Five chargers means they are 

‘double guns’; you can plug two 

buses in, and they are only 120kW 

chargers and that’s all you really 

need. You can go up to 180kW 

chargers, but if you pump 180 

into one bus you have to have 

liquid-cooled guns and cabling 

because then it gets too hot. So at 

60kW per bus that’s about five hours 

to charge – which is not bad.” 

The software in the bus is also key 

he says for efficient operation. 

“The software I’m looking at 

actually recognises the bus. It knows 

a bus has ‘this much charge’ on 

it when it comes in. It then works 

out which bus needs more power 

and charging time and the rest can 

wait until they are ready to be fully 

charged,” he explained. 

“To do this manually you’d have to 

have people here at 2–3 ‘o clock in 

the morning making sure buses are 

getting charged. 

Opposite, Top: 

Interline’s owner 

Joe Oliveri says 

although the move to 

electric has benefits, 

there are still a 

lot of operational 

challenges around 

electric buses that 

need to be fully 

considered. 

Opposite, Below: 

(L-R) Peter Sidgreaves, 

Member for Camden; 

Matt Threlkeld, 

BusNSW; Joe Oliveri, 

Interline Bus Services; 

Andrew Constance, 

NSW minister 

for transport and 

roads; and Melanie 

Gibbons, Member 

for Holsworthy, who 

attended the handover 

at Leppington 

Railway Station, 

recently. 

ZEB fleets is how to save electricity. 

“Once I told my provider what 

rates I would be using, the rate 

tumbled down because we are 

expecting to use about 1 MegaWatt 

per year for 10 buses. We estimated 

we’d be using about 300kW per day 

average on each bus and when we 

did this bus on full double shifts we 

actually pumped into it 279kW. And 

because I haven’t got my electricity 

yet – my 2,000 amps – it took nine 

hours to charge because if I charged 

it any faster I would have blacked 

out the place,” he joked. 

“I have the certification to do 

that and now I’m in the process of 

getting the contractor to bring the 

power to the yard and once that 

is in and the new substation is put 

in I’ll have 2,000 amps. And from 

then on, once I get up to about 25 

buses I’ve got to work out which way 

I’ve got to go: do I bring in another 

source of power from the substation 

around the corner – which is big 

dollars because they’d have to run 

cables just to me. That cost will not 

be subsidised by the government. 

That kind of thing will be part of a 

tender,” he explained. 

“So there are a million ways to 

approach this [charging delivery]; 

I’m looking at bringing in 1,000 

MegaWatt containers, with one 

MegaWatt I could probably charge 

30-odd buses, so if I replace all 

the fleet and do those too I’ll have 

120-odd buses and all of them will 

be at Leppington very soon. 

“Or do I get 4,000 amps from the 

power station? How much does that 

cost? To bring 2,000 amps in here, 

which has no infrastructure, there’s 

no footpaths, there’s no rural roads 

here, there’s nothing here; I can get 

38 


AC VS DC 

“Everyone [operators] seems have gone out 

and bought these BYDs with AC charging 

and I’ve asked questions around why that is 

being allowed to happen when the whole 

of Europe is going DC [charging] with two 

guns on it. Why go against CC2 [combined] 

charging in Europe when that’s going to 

be the mainstay? Even Yutong is CC2. BCI 

is CC2. Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Volvo, MAN, 

Bustech – they are all CC2 charging. And 

I’m hearing BYD is changing over to DC 

charging anyway, so why are we [Australia] 

buying all this AC charging?” Oliveri raised. 

“People say that AC charging will charge 

quicker – um, no it won’t! Both DC and AC 

charging count on how many kilowatts per 

hour the bus can take. If you don’t have the 

right amperage coming into your yard, it 

isn’t going to charge any bloody buses. 

“The reason I applied for 2,000 amps 

is when I applied for 500kW from the 

substation they [the electricity provider] 

gave me a price, which turned out to be 

about the same for 2,000 amps. T 

“They are insisting on going underground, 

but with the roads to be widened in about 

five years I reminded them they would only 

have to dig it up again, which is a waste. 

But they said their policy was to simply go 

underground whenever they could. 

“So that’s the kind of thing other 

Australian operators will have to be 

dealing with and consider when it comes 

to running an e-bus fleet, along with 

prices of batteries [expected to reduce as 

more adopt the technology], how many 

years they last versus how technology will 

change [performance/battery size] over 

that time, plus how they are looked after 

via charging them properly [batteries need 

to be balanced – slow charge rates at the 

start and end of the charging cycle ensure 

they supply power consistently across the 

board],” Oliveri explained. 

“Balancing could take up to 15 hours 

in winter. Batteries will actively balance 

themselves if not fully charged – who can 

afford to have buses not running for 15 

hours? 

“But overall, for our first e-bus, the BCI 

is finished well. Suspension wise, we got 

underneath and had a look at the welding 

– it was really, really good. And all the drivers 

who have driven it have given it a big tick 

so far.” 

FIRST BUS OFF THE RANK 

For Australia’s Perth-based BCI, the delivery 

to Interline of its Chinese-assembled, 

European componentry Citirider E e-bus 


39

COVERSTORY 


(curiously designated EV Citirider for 

Interline, but we are assured this was just 

the way the destination sign was set up) 

marks its first Australian operator delivery of 

this model on these shores, which is a key 

feather in BCI’s cap for local bus industry 

acceptance, given the strict Transport for 

NSW Panel 3 requirements that needed 

to be met. 

“BCI has a long history of building clean 

energy buses being one of the pioneer 

Australian manufacturers to build both 

hybrid/electric and full electric buses back 

in the late ’00s,” said BCI Victoria state 

manager, Cameron Millen. 

“The latest BCI Citirider E has been a 

two-year project and was heavily centred 

around R&D. Taking the learnings of those 

early days we spent a lot of time researching 

products to ensure we had the latest, and 

highest quality componentry available. 

“Our vision as a company was to design 

and build a zero-emission bus that could 

replace a diesel bus in terms of operational 

requirements, driveability and passenger 

experience. 

“For the most part, the passengers and 

driver wouldn’t know they were on an 

electric bus; the big giveaway is just how 

quiet and smooth the Citirider E is. 

In terms of current NSW e-bus running 

requirements, Millen explained: “The BCI 

prototype electric bus was designed and 

built as a TfNSW panel bus. NSW currently 

has the largest uptake of electric buses, 

so it made sense to build the bus to this 

Our vision as a company was to design and 

build a zero-emission bus that could replace 

a diesel bus. 

specification. About the only changes to 

the EV that ABC magazine tested and 

the one we delivered is the livery and the 

addition of the Opal ticketing system. The 

passenger seats were also changed due to 

the customers’ requirements. 

“With regard to the mirrors, this is 

something the operator has changed after 

delivery. BCI hopes to offer this option in the 

future once testing and approval has been 

done.” 

In terms of delivery times, Millen stated: 

“The build times for the EV are quicker than 

a diesel bus. This is mostly due to lead time 

of components – engines from Europe, 

transmission from Europe, etc.” 

POINTS OF DIFFERENCE 

So what is the Citirider E’s advantage over 

its marketplace rivals? Millen explained: 

“Basically weight, dimension and battery 

capacity. 

“We have one of the lightest e-buses 

on the market built to 12.5 metres – not 

12 metres [meaning increased seating 

capacity] with 403kW of battery storage 

[currently completing in excess of a 16-hour 

shift with about 30 per cent charge in 

reserve].” Oliveri confirms this, stating the 

bus will do 16 hours and that Interline has 

tried it already on a double shift. 

“This allows the operator to run the bus 

on a double shift and only need to charge 

overnight using off-peak electricity,” he 

added. 

“We can supply individual bus chargers, 

or in the case of large fleets we work with 

some of the larger supply companies that 

provide large-scale fleet systems.” 

“It is also worth noting that BCI are 

the Australian service agents for CATL 

batteries. CATL are one of the largest battery 

manufacturers in the world. Their batteries 

are found in many brands of EV vehicles 

from cars, trucks and buses – including the 

BCI Citirider E,” he explained. 

“We are hopeful the product will be taken 

up by the other states.” 

ABOUT INTERLINE 

Interline Bus Services in NSW provides 

school and route bus services in 

Campbelltown, Minto, Raby, Macquarie 

Fields, Ingleburn, Bow Bowing and 

Liverpool, it states. 

The company operates scheduled 

bus services in Sydney Metropolitan Bus 

Region 2. 

40 


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OPERATOR 

SLEEPBUS.ORG 

SLEEP MAKER 

Each year in Australia, fluctuating fortunes have meant multiple 

thousands of people unfortunately are forced to sleep on the streets 

unsheltered every night, let alone have some place safe to stay for longer. 

If indeed ‘charity begins at home’, what if that home is actually a bus – 

a ‘sleepbus’, to be precise? 

WORDS FABIAN COTTER IMAGES COURTESY SLEEPBUS.ORG 

When a business or 

organisation’s mission 

statement is so 

impactful that it 

could better off used 

as a societal clarion call for a lost and wistful 

nation, arguably it is time to take note. 

“Welcome to the family!” Spotswood, 

Melbourne-based Sleepbus – winner of the 

2017 Telstra Victorian Charity of the Year 

award – starts its introduction to the masses. 

“When people work together, their 

strengths magnify. Family bestows them 

with a collective power to withstand all 

kinds of hardship. This is why family is 

extremely important,” it explains. 

“Sleepbus is a non-profit organisation 

bringing safe overnight accommodation 

to people sleeping rough in Australia. Our 

accommodation is not a long-term solution; 

we don’t offer counselling, we don’t give 

money, we don’t provide the Ritz. What we 

do provide is a safe night’s sleep; we get 

people off the street,” it succinctly explains. 

“Sleepbus is distinct yet complementary 

to existing efforts from other organisations 

supporting Australians experiencing, or 

at risk of, homelessness. Our work aims to 

fill a ‘gap’ rather than overlap or replicate 

activities that support the urgent needs of 

people in Australia.” 

At the heart of the matter is its beautifully 

simplistic mantra, one that is often forgotten 

or taken for granted by many of the 

time-poor and rat-race-challenged among 

us these days: ‘Sleep changes everything.’ 

“Our mission [is] to bring safe overnight 

accommodation to people sleeping rough 

in Australia,” it continues. 

“Our vision [is] to end the need for people 

sleeping rough in Australia,” and that: “Our 

family … will use its collective power to help 

people find pathways out of homelessness.” 

So what inspired Sleepbus founder and 

CEO Simon Rowe [spoiler alert: he and his 

family do much of the fabrication work on 

the buses themselves! Let’s just let that sink 

in for a moment] to start such a benevolent 

entity that offers dignity and grace each 

night for often dejected and despondent 

‘guests’ whom have nowhere safe, clean, 

comfy and simply nice to sleep? 

“In short, I found the tiredest man I 

had ever seen and my kids told me to do 

something about it,” a justifiably busy Rowe 

Our vision is to end 

the need for people 

sleeping rough in 

Australia. 

explained to ABC magazine, recently. 

“I am extremely proud of my boys [now 

21 years old] who have dug in, worked hard, 

helped me when I needed it and been a 

massive supporter of what I’m trying to do – 

that’s pretty special,” said Rowe. 

“After all, all of this is their fault,” he 

laughed. 

“Because of the effect ‘the tiredest man 

I had ever seen’ had on me, my boys [15 at 

the time] challenged me to do something 

about it and this set in motion a complete 

life change for me; from the business and 

corporate arenas to the charity sector and 

bus building – and I wouldn’t change it for 

the world,” he explained. 

THE FLEET 

The sleepbus.org bus fleet currently consists 

of: 1x Scania 1995 three-axle; 1x Volvo 

1995 three-axle, 1x Mercedes-Benz 1992 

two-axle, 1x Motorcoach 1992 two-axle, 

1x PMC two-axle (as a workshop) – it drives, 

but not registered; 1x Mercedes-Benz 1990 

two-axle as a stationary laundry bus (no 

engine or gearbox); and a Hino two-axle 

as a future medical bus to be called 

‘sleepbus Health’. 

“I’m not sure what bodies they are – they 

are sleepbus ones now,” he joked. 

“The workshop bus drives and we 

obviously use this for our workshop to keep 

us out of the weather,” Rowe explained. 

“We also get our depot for free, but the 

landlord may need to move us to other 

locations from time to time, so it was 

important that our set-up was mobile and 

we could just drive to the a new location 

and just keep going, so no setup required. 

“The laundry bus is set up to just plug into 

an extension power cord and garden hose 

and the commercial laundry fires up! We 

just have to tow that if we have to move, 

which hasn’t happened yet.” 

THE STRUCTURE 

So how many people are involved at 

the core of Sleepbus and what are their 

connections exactly, you might ask – all 

family members, or people from all walks of 

life just wanting to get involved? And what 

drives them as a team to make a change? 

“I would say every charity starts just like 

42 



43

OPERATOR 

SLEEPBUS.ORG 

Top: 

CEO Simon 

Rowe with his 

son, Harrison, 

and dog, Tilly. 

Right: 

The Sleepbus 

vehicles give 

homeless people 

a safe, warm 

and clean place 

to sleep for the 

night. 

Below: 

Sleepbus 

handles its own 

rebuilding of 

the buses to 

turn them into 

mobile shelters. 


The sleepbus.org 

system. 

we have, with family and friends around 

the dining table. That’s us – and family 

don’t complain about working for free,” 

Rowe chuckled innocently. 

“We run very lean, by design, so it’s just 

three of us and a graphic designer. 

“I do all the work,” he responded 

when asked about whom does the 

modifications and fabrication work on 

the buses. 

“I’m 100 per cent hands on. I designed 

and built the prototype sleepbus and 

the rest we have now [by] myself, with 

help from two sons. 

“The only fabrication work we farm out 

now is when the side of the bus is cut 

out and the sleep pod access doors are 

welded in,” he said. 

“It is just far more cost effective doing 

it ourselves; to have a third party build 

this for us [we were] quoted at $200k 

plus and we can do it for less than 

$100k,” he explained. 

“I was a business person and 

corporate consultant before doing this. 

I have an architectural background also, 

so the design part was easy enough for 

me,” he added. 

“I’m not bad on the tools and just 

worked the rest out as I went. 

44 


SLEEPBUS.ORG MANTRA 

“Sleep changes everything. Sleep plays a vital role in good health and wellbeing, and 

getting enough quality sleep can help protect a person’s mental health, physical 

health, and safety. 

“For those sleeping rough, getting a good night’s sleep is near impossible and can 

contribute to long-term homelessness and more. 

“We believe that sleep changes everything. With a good night’s sleep, we think the 

pathway out of homelessness will be a little easier to find.” 

“I have zero bus mechanical/engine/ 

running gear knowledge and rely on 

friendly bus company workshops for help 

with this, like Dom from Kastoria and 

Lynette from the Dineen Group – both here 

in Melbourne, Victoria,” he stated. 

“Kastoria and the Dineen Group have 

been the biggest supporters through this 

journey. They have always gone above and 

beyond to help me, despite my lack of 

knowledge. They have always taken my call. 

Very grateful,” Rowe said. 

OCCUPANT RESPONSE 

How would Rowe describe the reaction 

from the people who use the bus? And 

were they regulars from certain areas, or did 

Sleepbus drive around to different places 

and look for people who need help? 

“We found during the trial of our 

prototype sleepbus over two years that 

people are very grateful for a safe, warm 

place to sleep for the night,” he explained. 

“This approach hadn’t been done 

anywhere in the world before, so we had to 

test and see if: a) it worked; and b) people 

used and liked it. 

“Not only did we find that it worked 

and was well received, we also found 

positive side effects to the service: better 

physical and mental health of our guests,” 

Rowe stated. 

“Simply not having to sleep outside in 

the elements and worrying about your 

safety through the night ... it makes a huge 

difference,” he explained. 

“We try to stick to set locations, so 

people know where to find us. So ‘regulars’, 

‘one-time users’ and ‘semi-regular’ are 

normal. 

“We work with other charities to find 

out where we should be, and being a bus – 

not a building – we are able to go where we 

are needed.” 

WHERE NEXT? 

According to Rowe, the sleepbus.org 

goal for this year is to launch four 

sleepbuses for the areas of Melbourne, 

Queanbeyan, NSW; Canberra, ACT; and 

Maroochydore, Queensland – and the Hino 

‘sleepbus health’. 

“We hope with the momentum of these 

services and the publicity that is generated 


45

OPERATOR 

SLEEPBUS.ORG 

BUS 

ORIGINS 

1. Laundry Bus – Dineen Group 

2. Original prototype sleepbus 

and now Canberra Pink 

sleepbus – Dineen Group 

3. Melbourne Pink sleepbus – 

Kastoria 

4. Queanbeyan sleepbus – 

private individual donor 

5. sleepbus health – private 

purchase; previously Red 

Cross blood-donor vehicle 

(from the 1980s) 

6. Workshop bus – ex-Winton 

Raceway, ex-Bendigo 

Transit bus 

7. Maroochydore sleepbus – 

Buslink Queensland 

we can raise the necessary funds 

to build more Sleepbuses for 

operation in Sydney, Byron Bay 

(NSW), Brisbane, Gold Coast (QLD), 

Adelaide (SA), Perth (WA) and more 

in Melbourne,” Rowe stated. 

“What is needed for this to 

happen, as with all things, are the 

funds and suitable buses – all of 

which we are confident we can 

bring in. 

“The pandemic has certainly 

caused tremendous financial strain 

on people and families, the biggest 

cause of homelessness, so the 

need is [there] and will continue to 

increase for some time to come. 

“On the other hand, speaking for 

the Victorian government, every 

Above: 

CEO Simon Rowe 

was inspired to start 

the venture to help 

somebody who 

needed a place to 

sleep. 

Below: 

Sleepbus was the 

winner of the 2017 

Telstra Victorian 

Charity of the Year 

award. 

rough sleeper here has been offered 

hotel accommodation. Obviously 

this can’t last, but it has been a 

fantastic initiative. 

“Covid permitting [Victoria was 

heading back into a snap lockdown 

as this was written] we will launch 

the Queanbeyan Service in March 

2021; the pink sleepbus services for 

Canberra and Melbourne in June/ 

July and the Maroochydore and 

sleepbus health services towards 

the end of the year. 

HURDLES AND HICCUPS 

The top three challenges – global 

pandemics aside – that Sleepbus 

faces are: raising funds to build 

buses, finding sponsors for the 

services, and finding suitable 

buses that are of roadworthy 

condition and not full of rust, 

Rowe explained. 

“I say biggest challenges 

because they are; however, to date 

we have managed this ok. We’ve 

had great support and, fingers 

Simply not having to sleep outside in the 

elements and worrying about your safety through 

the night ... it makes a huge difference. 

crossed, this will only increase 

with momentum and increased 

awareness of the Sleepbus charity 

and the service it provides,” he 

added. 

“I think ‘sleepbus health’ will 

be a fantastic add-on initiative to 

Sleepbus for our guests and, going 

well, we will look to build additional 

sleepbus health vehicles for other 

states.” 

So does Rowe take pride in all 

he and the sleepbus team have 

achieved? 

“I’m not sure I’m at the 

proud state yet; there’s still a 

lot to do,” he answered. “I have 

pretty high standards and lofty 

goals.” 

46 



DRIVEN 

FUSO ROSA 

STYLE 

MEETS 

SAFETY 

It’s what 

you can’t 

see that’s 

exciting in 

the new 

Rosa. 

WORDS + 

IMAGES 

PAUL 

ALDRIDGE 

The Fuso Rosa might 

be a familiar face 

when you see it on 

the road; it’s been an 

enduring and popular 

model in the Australian light-duty 

bus market for more than 15 years. 

This new-model Rosa might look 

really familiar, but it has some 

pretty advanced features and 

changes behind the scenes that 

are pretty impressive. 

Some test drives and vehicles 

are all about the looks and luxuries 

and we certainly love to drive 

these vehicles. The Rosa, though, 

isn’t a vehicle built just to impress. 

The thought process behind the 

updates have been made with 

a huge focus on the importance 

of safety features and it would 

be hard not to agree when these 

buses are a very popular choice for 

schools and nursing homes. 

The new Rosa comes in 

three models: the Rosa Deluxe 

(22-seater), Rosa Deluxe (25-seater) 

and the Rosa Standard (25-seater). 

Today’s drive is in the Rosa Deluxe 

25-seater and, yes, it is the topof-the-range 

vehicle, but what is 

important is that the key changes 

made to the model are across the 

board and come as standard in 

each model. 

Fuso says that having the two 

options for seating capacity gives 

the Rosa a distinct class advantage, 

with the additional three 

passengers adding significant 

value for operators. As always, this 

class has a broad appeal from 

tourism operations, rental vehicles 

and regional area school buses to 

shuttle bus operators. 

SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY 

Fitted as standard, each Rosa 

comes with height-adjustable 

48 


LED headlamps, an electronic stability 

program, anti-skid disc brakes, driver 

air-bag, passenger airbag, reversing 

cameras, lane-departure warning 

system (LDWS) and what is arguably 

the most impressive standard feature 

across the range: the advanced 

emergency braking system (AEBS). 

AEBS is a radar sensor system that 

detects and helps avoid possible 

collisions with both moving and 

stationary vehicles or objects, but it also 

reacts to pedestrian movement. 

If the system detects movement, the 

driver is given both audible and visual 

warnings from the dashboard in tandem 

with physical braking. 

Obviously a potentially life-saving 

feature, it is perfect that it comes as 

standard across the board and not the 

usual optional extra. 


49

DRIVEN 

FUSO ROSA 

Fuso explains that it added 

the technology as soon as it was 

available as it considers safety to be 

critical in its vehicle design. 

Another standard feature is the 

LDWS, which usually is an optional 

feature in high-end vehicles. It 

alerts the driver if you make any 

unintentional lane departures and 

this certainly is another feature 

that will help minimise crashes 

or the impact in case of any 

unavoidable accidents. 

When the camera detects you 

are driving out of your lane the 

driver receives an audible and 

visual alert on the dash so they can 

correct their driving. Nice. 

Yes, we may all be familiar with 

this technology, but the inclusion 

on even a standard build is a great 

selling point. 

“There is only one light-duty 

bus in Australia with advanced 

emergency braking, only one with 

lane-departure warning and only 

one with electronic stability - and 

that is the new Fuso Rosa,” Daniel 

Whitehead, CEO Daimler Truck 

and Bus Australia, said. 

“There are many other benefits 

introduced by the upgraded 

model, but nothing as important 

as the features that will help 

protect the ones we love.” 

Across all models as standard, 

the 3.0-litre 4P10 engine meets the 

Euro 6 emissions standards, 

Fuso says this engine has the 

most power in its class at 129kW 

at 3,500rpm and with 430Nm 

of torque. Euro 6 standards 

are achieved by using selective 

catalytic reduction (SCR) in 

combination with a diesel 

particulate filter (DPF). 

The engine also features 

exhaust gas recirculation 

(EGR), and a variable geometry 

turbocharger (VGR) with 

common-rail fuel injection. This 

engine is, in fact, smaller and 

lighter than in the previous model, 

but is also more powerful with 

more torque. 

Low cabin noise from the engine 

is one of the standout features 

of the bus. Driving along the 

M4 freeway at 100km/h, it was 

amazing how little noise comes 

from the engine. 

Considering the driver is actually 

seated on top of the motor, Fuso 

has done a great job with internal 

sound reduction. 

Fuso has also introduced a new 

advanced Duonic automated 

manual transmission that 

features six gears. The dual-clutch 

transmission is said to help with 

the improved fuel efficiency and 

give quicker and smoother gear 

Low cabin noise 

from the engine 

is one of the 

standout features 

of the bus. 

Above: 

All seats come 

with a three-point 

seatbelt. 

Right: 

The low floor 

and grab rails are 

well designed 

for less mobile 

passengers. 


Sound reduction 

from the engine is 

impressive in the 

driver’s cabin. 

50 


changes. You can just put it into 

drive and let it do the rest, as it just 

knows what gear to be in and it 

works perfectly. We did put it into 

manual mode for a test, but much 

preferred the auto mode. 

IT JUST WORKS WELL 

Visibility for the driver is good; 

there is a small pillar to the right, 

but because it’s dark grey it 

disappears and certainly doesn’t 

interfere with line of vision. 

The mirrors have always worked 

well on the Rosa for driver vision 

and this system hasn’t changed 

from the previous model – why 

change a system that works? 

On the left-hand side of the 

bus there is a three-mirror system, 

with a small front-mounted blind 

spot mirror to assist the driver with 

parking or for vision of pedestrians 

and smaller passengers 

disembarking. 

There’s a larger mirror for side 

vision of the bus and there’s 

another higher-set blind spot 

mirror; the three-system mirrors 

give overall great driver vision, 

another good safety feature. 

The Rosa has a new headlight 

system that has a five-stage 

adjusting function that allows the 

driver to change the headlight 

position to better suit altering 

conditions. 

This might be a feature that you 

wouldn’t often use, but in difficult 

weather or bad road conditions, or 

with an unusually heavy load, the 

ability to adapt your headlights to 

suit the driver’s needs could come 

in handy. 

Another part of the Rosa that 

has really changed from the 

previous model is the dashboard 

area; it now has a very sleek, 

modern look and a European feel. 

Two standout features of 


51

DRIVEN 

FUSO ROSA 

The LED touchscreen sits in a great 

viewing position for the driver. 

the new dashboard are the 

touchscreen display and the 

dash-mounted gear shifter. 

The LED touchscreen sits in 

a great viewing position for the 

driver, with the added advantage 

of being an extra pair of eyes 

at the rear of the bus with its 

rear-mounted camera when in 

reverse, or when driver activated. 

The aircon function controls are 

really easy to use and read, there’s 

a climate control display and the 

system is simple to navigate and 

read, even when driving. 

The round dash air vents 

are also very well placed for the 

driver. Overall, the aircon did a 

great job on the humid day we 

did our drive. 

WELCOME CABIN UPDATES 

A driver cabin change we 

thought was a smart one was 

the re-positioning of some of the 

operational levers. The transmission 

shift lever was moved from the 

floor to being dash mounted. 

This has two advantages for the 

driver. One is that less movement 

is required to reach the lever and, 

two, being dash mounted means 

there’s more driver floor space, 

which is good for driver leg room 

and comfort. 

The other lever-mount change 

was the re-positioning of the 

hand brake. It has been moved 

from the footwell to the left of the 

driver seat, again improving driver 

accessibility. So, from a driver’s 

52 


Specs 

MAKE/MODEL: Fuso Rosa 

SEATS: 22 or 25 

ENGINE: 3.0-litre fourcylinder 

4P10 Euro 6 

POWER: 129kW@3,500rpm 

TORQUE: 430Nm@1,600– 

2,860rpm 

TRANSMISSION: Sixspeed 

Duonic dual clutch 

automated manual 

transmission, with manual 

or automatic modes, or fivespeed 

manual 

WARRANTY: Five-year/ 

200,000km 

SUSPENSION: Front 

independent double 

wishbone with coils, shock 

absorber and stabiliser 

and rear leaf with shock 

absorbers and stabilser 

STEERING: Rack and pinion; 

Wheel - Tilt and scope 

adjustable 

BRAKING: Disc brakes front 

and rear, exhaust brake 

DIMENSIONS: 22 seats – 

6,990mm long, 2,070mm 

wide, 2,755mm tall and 

a 3,995mm wheelbase; 

25 seats – 7,730mm long, 

2,070mm wide, 2,755mm 

tall, with a 4,550mm 

wheelbase 

FUEL TANK: 100 litres 

comfort perspective, these are 

great improvements. 

For passenger accessibility there 

is a new flat floor design that 

will help with elderly or disabled 

passenger ease of movement. 

This also also allows for simpler 

aftermarket wheelchair lift 

installation. 

Another thing we personally 

noticed was that the grab handles 

are very easy to use when entering 

or exiting the bus; again good for 

elderly or disabled passengers. 

The new Rosa also has new 

improved LED passenger lamps in 

all models and new high-backed 

seats in the deluxe models. All 

models have three-point lap sash 

seatbelts and there have been 

improvements to some of the 

windows for greater passenger 

visibility. 

GENEROUS WARRANTY 

A feature that has remained 

the same with the Rosa is the 

generous five-year/200,000km 

warranty, but there has been 

an increase to the servicing 

intervals to 15,000km. Fuso claims 

this increase will help reduce 

running costs for operators and 

increase vehicle uptime, so there 

shouldn’t be any complaints 

about that. 

The takeaway key point of 

this bus was the focus Fuso has 

placed on vehicle safety features. 

There’s been a lot of changes and 

updates made to the new Rosa, 

but most of them are features you 

won’t realise immediately. 

This is impressive because 

for operators and drivers alike, 

passenger safety and any features 

that give us peace of mind is 

money well spent. 

When a base model comes 

with the same added safety 

features as the deluxe model you 

know a company is serious about 

safety and that certainly has to be 

applauded. 

Top: 

Today’s drive was 

in the Rosa Deluxe 

25-seater. 

Above: 

The mirror system 

includes a blind 

spot mirror for 

extra visibility. 

Opposite, Top + 

Below: 

The low-floor 

design and 

improvements to 

visibility out of the 

windows are great 

for passengers; 

A rear-mounted 

camera acts as an 

extra pair of eyes. 

TYRES: 205/85R16 

SERVICE INTERVALS: 

15,000km 

MISC.: SAFETY (all models) - 

As standard, the Rosa 

features advanced 

emergency braking, lane 

departure warning system, 

electronic stability program, 

anti-skid disc brakes, a driver 

and front passenger airbag, 

height adjustable LED 

headlights, hill start assist 

and a reversing camera 

AEBS - A system designed 

to avoid or mitigate collision 

damage uses a radar sensor 

at the front of the bus 

and can detect potential 

collisions with moving and 

stationary vehicles, as well as 

moving pedestrians. When 

a collision is imminent, the 

driver receives an audible 

and visual warning from the 

dashboard shortly followed 

by automatic braking. The 

system is dynamic and its 

algorithm allows it to vary 

activation times to best 

mitigate collision damage in 

a number of situations. 


53

A 

NUMBERS 

YOU CAN TRUST 

ARE YOU MAXIMISING YOUR AUDIENCE REACH? 

3,502 

AUDITED CIRCULATION * 

AUSTRALIAN BUS & COACH distributes 3,502 copies 

every month based on the auditing period 

April 2019 to September 2019. 

These figures are independently audited by the 

Circulations Audit Board (CAB). 

Are Media proudly publishes CAB audit figures for 

Australasian Transport News (ATN), Australasian Bus & 

Coach (ABC) and Owner Driver magazines. 

We 

everywhere 

Visit industry.aremedia.com.au for more information. 

*Average number of copies distributed per issue for the 6 months from April 2019 to September 2019. 



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WANT TO ADVERTISE? CALL 03 9567 4154 Bookings for next issue close on MARCH 11th 2021 

2 X 2013 HIGER 

MUNRO 

Cummins ISF 165hp, automatic, 

28 lap sash seat belted seats in 

leather, roof A/C, DVD, towbar, 

travelled approx. 200,000klm 

very clean 

$45,000.00+GST each 

2016 BONLUCK 

“SENATOR 9” 

Cummins ISB 250hp 

Allison auto inc retarder,43 

lap sash seat belted seats, 

A/C, underfloor bins,4 x sliding 

windows, bull bar, travelled 

approx. 145,000klm ,very clean 

$135,000.00+GST 

2018 MITSUBISHI 

ROSA DELUXE 

automatic, 24 lap sash 

seat belted seats, A/C, Sat 

Nav, towbar, travelled only 

72,000klm, very clean 

$90,000.00+GST 

2010 MAN 18-360 

ZF As Tronic trans, Coach Design 

12.5m body, 57 McConnell 

Educator 3/2 combination, 

Thermo King A/C, underfloor 

bins, DVD, travelled approx. 

217,000klm, very clean 

$175,000.00+GST 

2005 VOLVO B7R 

7sp EGS, North Coast 12.5m body, 

53 lap sash seat belted recliners, 

Thermo King A/C, underfloor 

bins,tachograph, Service history 

$57,500+GST 

2016 BONLUCK 

“PRESIDENT 9” 

Cummins ISB300HP, Aliison 

automatic inc retarder, 43 fixed 

coach seats inc lap sash seat 

belts, Spheros heat cool A/C, large 

underfloor bins, as new condition, 

travelled only 134,000klm 

$145,000.00+GST 

2010 BCI “EXPLORER” 

CUMMINS ISM410HP 

Allison auto inc retarder, 58 

lap sash seat belted leather 

recliners, rear toilet, Tracs A/C, 

large underfloor bins, very clean, 

complete service history 

$115,000.00+GST or 

wheelchair lift equipped 

model $125,000.00+GST 

ABC-HH2-5129255-TS-402 

2015 MERCEDES 

BENZ 0500R 

automatic, Irizar Century 

12.5m body, 57 lap sash 

seat belted seats, A/C, 

DVD, travelled approx. 

198,000.00klm 

$175,000.00+GST 

2 X 2015 SCANIA 

K440EB 

Opticuise,13.5M Coach 

Concepts body, 50 Styleride 

lap sash leather recliners, 

tachograph, 2 door, mid toilet, 

many extras, one fitted with a 

Wheelchair lift, travelled approx. 

400 to 440,000klm 

from $345,000+GST each 

2014 BONLUCK 

“PRESIDENT 2” 

Cummins ISL360hp, Allison 

automatic inc retarder, 53 lap 

sash seat belted seats in leather, 

large underfloor bins, DVD, 

travelled approx. 307,000klm 

Reduced to $135,000+GST 

2015 IVECO 

EURORIDER 

automatic, 13.2m Irizar Century 

body, 52 lap sash seat belted 

recliners, toilet, A/C, travelled 

only 102,000klm 

$215,000+GST Neg 

2010 MERCEDES 

BENZ 1830 

6sp manual, Mills Tui 12.5m 

body, 50 lap sash seat belted 

recliners, toilet, underfloor bins, 

towbar, DVD, travelled approx. 

260,000klm 

$95,000.00+GST 

2012 MITSUBISHI 

ROSA DELUXE 

automatic, 21 passenger,bull 

bar, tow bar, travelled 

325,000klm 

$24,000.00+GST 

4 X 2011/12 HIGER 

“T SERIES” 

Cummins ISB300, automatic, 

57 lap sash seat belted seats, 

A/C, underfloor bins, travelled 

approx. 180-220,000klm 

$85,000+GST each 

PLUS MANY MORE, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT 

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2000 VOLVO B7R 

50 Seatbelts, Toilet, TV/DVD, 

Manual 

2000 MERCEDES 

0405 

Volgren body, Lowfloor, 

2-door, AC 

1999 VOLVO B7 

Auto Bus Body, Auto, 

53 Seatbelt seats, 

Air Conditioned. 

2002 MERCEDES 1725 

Mills Tui, A/C, 57 Seats, 

Automatic 

2006 MERCEDES 1830 

P&D, A/C, 57 Seatbelts, 

Manual 

$55,000 + GST 

$32,000 + GST 

$55,000 + GST 

$45,000 + GST $80,000 + GST 

2013 HIGER 

T-Series, A/C, 57 Seatbelts, 

115,000km 

$98,000 + GST 

2002 IVECO 

Custom CB50 body, 61 

seats, Manual, Thermoking. 

480,000km 

$45,000 + GST 

2006 HINO RK260 

P&D body, 57 seats, Manual. 

348,000 KMS 

$58,000 + GST 

2000 VOLVO B7 

P&D body, 57 seatbelts, 

Automatic 

$40,000 + GST 

2008 HINO RN8J 

A/C, 57 Seats, Manual 

$65,000 + GST 

ABC-HH-5171496-TS-401 

busnews.com.au FEBRUARY 2021 ABC 57

FLEET REFURBISHMENTS 

Our experienced staff have implemented 

project management systems to ensure 

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Complete Exterior: repanel & glazing services 

Refinish Services: from touch ups to complete 

resprays 

Frame Inspections: structural repairs to life 

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Retrofitting: of all major components 

Interior Upgrades: to trim work, flooring & seating 

P: (07) 3344 4544 

E: info@coachworks.com.au 

W: www.coachworks.com.au 

BUSES for SALE 

DUE TO COMPANY ACQUISITIONS AND FLEET REPLACEMENT, BUSLINES GROUP 

HAS A SELECTION OF BUSES & COACHES FOR SALE: 

BUSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY. 

PRICES ON APPLICATION 

For Enquiries please contact 

Geoff Ferris 0418 214 135 or 

gferris@buslinesgroup.com.au 

1 x 2009 BCI Classmaster 1 

Alison Auto ISB Cummins 

205,000kms 59 seats 

Electronic desto Air conditioned 

$105,000 inc GST 

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Coach is in Melbourne and more photo’s are able to be sent. 

58 ABC FEBRUARY 2021 busnews.com.au

WANT TO ADVERTISE? CALL 03 9567 4154 Bookings for next issue close on MARCH 11th 2021 

Need a good 

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2013 Scania K480 EB 

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busnews.com.au FEBRUARY 2021 ABC 59

Season 2 

Returns 

20th FEB 2021 

on 

THE BOYS 

ARE BACK! 

SATURDAYS AT 4:30PM

Comfort, convenience 

and capacity 

The D12 series 

Yutong is the world’s largest bus manufacturer – combining 

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As a multipurpose bus, the D12 brings comfort and style with 

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A true crowd pleaser. 

yutong.com.au

DELIVERIES JANUARY 2021 

Deliveries off to a 

solid start in 2021 

Early bus-deliveries numbers starting to rise to resemble pre-Covid 

times, exclusive ABC data reveals. 

The new year brings with it a renewed sense of 

hope as the bus and coach deliveries tally 

reaches its highest point in six months at 99. 

While still short of some of the highs of the 

past couple of years, which reached more than 

150, it’s still the highest number since June of last year. 

In the chassis sector, Volvo returned to the top with 23 

deliveries (10 more than in December), with Scania one 

behind on 22. These numbers are, however, still short of the 

35-plus the Swedes reached in peak times. Elsewhere, a 

big month for Yutong provides 17 deliveries, with BCI (12) 

and MAN (11) also in double figures. The latter is a strong 

achievement for MAN as the last time it reached more than 

10 in a month was February 2019. 

Volgren retains top spot in the body-building 

sector with a third consecutive month of 29 

recorded deliveries. Yutong and BCI follow, with 

their tallies corresponding to their chassis numbers. 

Bustech Group’s three brands – Bustech (6), 

Precision Buses (3), and Elphinstone (2) – combine 

for 11. 

A familiar story in the air-conditioning sector has Thermo 

King comfortably lead with 37 deliveries, while Cling-Yutong’s 

partnership is involved in 16 deliveries (one of its 17 units 

contained a Spheros air conditioner). Coachair also reached 

double figures, while this month also saw a relatively high 

number of undisclosed deliveries. 

Continuing the state trend in recent times, Victoria was the 

most prolific with 34 per cent of the deliveries. NSW followed 

on 27 per cent, with Queensland not too far behind on 21 per 

cent. Western Australia, which had been fairly busy in recent 

months, falls back to 12 per cent. 

Turn overleaf for delivery information for January. Please 

note all data is as supplied by manufacturers, at their 

discretion. 

The bus and coach deliveries tally 

reaches its highest point in six months. 

62 


4% 

SA 

2% 

12% 

21% 

QLD 

Volgren 29 

Yutong 17 

BCI 12 

Bustech Group 11 

Irizar 6 

Bonluck 4 

Express Coaches 4 

Scania Higer 4 

Custom Bus 3 

Marcopolo 3 

Gemilang 2 

Coach Concepts 1 

Coach Design 1 

JBUS 1 

P&D Coachworks 1 

TAS 

Percentage by 

REGION 

34% 

VIC 

% 

SALES BY BODY 

Volgren retains top spot in the body-building 

sector with a quirky third consecutive month of 

29 recorded deliveries. Yutong and BCI follow, 

with their tallies corresponding to their chassis 

numbers. Bustech Group’s three brands – 

Bustech (6), Precision Buses (3), and Elphinstone 

(2) – combine for 11. 

SALES BY 

AIR-CONDITIONER 

A familiar story in the air-conditioning sector has Thermo 

King comfortably lead with 37 deliveries, while Cling- 

Yutong’s partnership is involved in 16 deliveries (one of its 

17 units contained a Spheros air conditioner). Coachair 

also reached double figures, while this month also saw a 

relatively high number of undisclosed deliveries. 

Thermo King 37 

Cling-Yutong 16 

N/A 11 

Coachair 10 

Hispacold 9 

Denso 6 

Konvekta 4 

MCC 3 

Spheros 3 

WA 

27% 

VOLVO 23 

NSW 

SCANIA 22 

YUTONG 17 

BCI 12 

MAN 11 

Sales by chassis 

In the chassis sector, Volvo returned to the top with 23 deliveries (10 more than in December), with Scania one 

behind on 22. These numbers are, however, still short of the 35-plus the Swedes reached in peak times. Elsewhere, 

a big month for Yutong provides 17 deliveries, with BCI (12) and MAN (11) also in double figures. The latter is a strong 

achievement for MAN as, by ABC’s count, the last time it reached more than 10 in a month was in February, 2019. 

MERCEDES-BENZ 6 

BONLUCK 4 

BUSTECH 2 

HINO 2 


63

DELIVERIES JANUARY 2021 

MANUFACTURER, 

OPERATOR & LOCATION 

UNITS 

CHASSIS 

(Model) 

BODY 

BUILDER 

HP* 

ENGINES 

Rear / Front 

Emissions 

standard 

BCI Belgrave Heights Christian School VIC 1 Classmaster BCI 300 R Euro 5 

Incitec Pivot QLD 2 Cruiser 10 BCI 285 R Euro 5 

Crown Coaches VIC 5 Cruiser 9 BCI 290 R Euro 6 

Kastoria Bus Lines VIC 3 Cruiser 9 BCI 285 R Euro 5 

Kastoria Bus Lines VIC 1 Cruiser 9 BCI 285 R Euro 5 

BONLUCK Westside Christian College QLD 1 Cooper Bonluck 210 R Euro 5 

Young's Bus Service QLD 2 Senator 14 Bonluck 360 R Euro 5 

Pursers Coaches QLD 1 Cooper Bonluck 210 R Euro 5 

BUSTECH Metro Tas TAS 2 XDI Elphinstone 300 R Euro 6 

HINO N/A SA 1 Poncho JBUS 185 R Euro 5 

N/A VIC 1 921 P&D Coachworks 205 F Euro 5 

MAN Premier Motor Sevice NSW 4 RC2 19.320 LE E6 Volgren 320 R Euro 6 

Surfside Buslines QLD 1 RR8 19.320 IC Volgren 320 R Euro 5 

Panorama VIC 2 RC2 19.320 LE E5 Volgren 320 R Euro 5 

Sunbus Cairns (Kinetic) QLD 3 RC2 19.320 LE E5 Volgren 320 R Euro 5 

Panorama VIC 1 RC2 19.320 LE E5 Volgren 320 R Euro 5 

MERCEDES-BENZ N/A NSW 1 OC500RF E5 1936 Custom Bus 360 R Euro 5 

N/A NSW 1 OC500LE E6 Gemilang 360 R Euro 6 

N/A NSW 1 OC500LE E6 Gemilang 360 R Euro 6 

N/A QLD 1 OC500LE E6 Volgren 360 R Euro 6 



SCANIA Dept. of Public Transpt Infrastructure SA 2 K 320 UB4X2 Precision Buses 320 R Euro 6 

Dept. of Public Transpt Infrastructure SA 1 K 320 UB4X2 Precision Buses 320 R Euro 6 

G D& W L Lowe VIC 1 K 310 IB4X2 Coach Design 310 R Euro 5 

Ipswich Grammar School QLD 2 K 360 IB4X2 Scania Higer Touring 360 R Euro 5 

L C Dyson's Bus Services VIC 1 K 310 IB4X2 Irizar 310 R Euro 5 

McHarry's Bus Lines VIC 1 K 320 UB4X2 Express Coaches 320 R Euro 6 

Mt Gravatt Coach & Travel QLD 1 K 310 IB4X2 Scania Higer A30 310 R Euro 5 

Sinclair Buses NSW 2 K 310 IB4X2 Irizar 310 R Euro 5 

St Marys Secondary College VIC 1 K 360 IB4X2 Scania Higer Touring 360 R Euro 5 

Ventura Bus Lines VIC 2 K 320 UB4X2 Volgren 320 R Euro 6 

Ventura Bus Lines VIC 4 K 320 UB4X2 Volgren 310 R Euro 6 

Ventura Bus Lines VIC 2 K 360 UA6X2/2 Volgren 360 R Euro 6 

Ventura Bus Lines VIC 1 K 360 UA6X2/2 Volgren 360 R Euro 6 

Wangaratta Coachlines VIC 1 K 310 IB4X2 Coach Concepts 310 R Euro 5 

VOLVO Good News Lutheran College VIC 1 B8R Marcopolo 330 R Euro 5 

Ventura Transit VIC 2 B8R Marcopolo 330 R Euro 5 

Buslines Group NSW 4 B8RLE Bustech 320 R Euro 6 

Kennedys Bus and Coach NSW 2 B8R Express Coaches 330 R Euro 5 

Goodes Coaches NSW 1 B8R Express Coaches 330 R Euro 5 

Bangalow Transit NSW 1 B8R Custom Bus 330 R Euro 5 

Braidwood Buses NSW 1 B8R Custom Bus 330 R Euro 5 

Irizar Asia Pacific QLD 1 B11R Irizar 450 R Euro 5 

Irizar Asia Pacific VIC 2 B8R Irizar 330 R Euro 5 

Faith Lutheran College QLD 1 B8R Volgren 330 R Euro 5 

King Christian Education QLD 1 B8R Volgren 330 R Euro 5 

Youngs Bus Service QLD 2 B8RLE Bustech 320 R Euro 6 

Perth Transport Authorities WA 3 B8RLE Volgren 320 R Euro 6 

Perth Transport Authorities WA 1 B8RLEA Volgren 320 R Euro 6 

YUTONG N/A NSW 1 D9 Yutong 250 R Euro 5 

N/A NSW 1 D12 Yutong 360 R Euro 5 

N/A NSW 1 D7 Yutong 165 F Euro 5 







N/A WA 1 D7 Yutong 165 F Euro 5 





N/A WA 1 D9 Yutong 250 R Euro 5 

N/A WA 1 D12 Yutong 360 R Euro 5 

N/A WA 1 T12 Yutong 360 R Euro 5 

64 

ABC February 2021 busnews.com.au 

TOTAL DELIVERIES 99

TRANSMISSION 

A: Automatic 

M: Manual 

AS: Auto-Shift 

O: Opticruise 

TRANS 

MAKE 

AXLES 

BODY 

LENGTH 

(metres) 

AIR-CON 

(Brand) 

NUMBER OF SEATS 

Fixed 

Coach 

Recliners 

Metro 

Long 

Distance 

APPLICATION 

Charter 

City or 

Route 

School 

SEATING 

SEAT 

BELTS 

A Allison 2 12.3 MCC 57 – – – – – X Sege Y 

A ZF 2 10.4 MCC – 45 – – X – – Sege Y 

A ZF 2 9.6 Denso 43 – – – X – – Sege Y 

A ZF 2 9.60 Thermo King 39 – – – – – X Sege Y 

A ZF 2 9.6 Thermo King 43 – – – – – X Sege Y 

A Allison 2 8.5 Spheros 35 – – – – – X Fansia Y 

A Allison 3 14.5 Thermo King – – 71 – – – X Styleride N 

A Allison 2 8.5 Spheros 33 – – – – – X Fansia Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King 52 – – – – X – Styleride N 

A Aisin 2 8 Denso 18 – – – – X – Styleride N 

A Aisin 2 7.99 Thermo King 34 – – – – – X Styleride Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King – – 45 – – X – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King 57 – – – – – X STYLERIDE Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Coachair 45 – – – – X – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King 35 – – – – X – Vogel N 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Coachair 45 – – – – X – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 13.5 Thermo King – – 57 – – – X McConnell Y 

A ZF 2 13.5 Thermo King – – 44 – – X – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 13.5 Thermo King – – 44 – – X – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 13.5 Coachair – – 45 – – X – McConnell N 



A ZF 2 11.7 Hispacold 43 – – – – x – Precision Bus N 

O Scania 2 12 Hispacold 43 – – – – x – Precision Bus N 

A ZF 2 12.3 Thermo King 57 – – – – – x Styleride Y 

O Scania 2 12.3 Konvekta 57 – – – – – – Styleride N 

A ZF 2 12.3 Hispacold 57 – – – – – x McConnell Y 

O Scania 2 12.5 Coachair 57 – – – – x – McConnell N 

A Scania 2 12 Konvekta 57 – – – – – – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 12.3 Hispacold 57 – – – – – x McConnell Y 

O Scania 2 12.3 Konvekta 57 – – – – – – Styleride N 

A ZF 2 13 Thermo King – – 44 – – x – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 12.5 Thermo King – – 44 – – x – McConnell N 

A ZF 3 18 Coachair – – 70 – – x – McConnell N 

A ZF 3 18 Coachair – – 70 x – – - McConnell N 

A ZF 2 12.5 Thermo King 57 – – – – – x Styleride Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 N/A 57 – – – – – X Marcopolo Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 N/A 57 – – – – – X Marcopolo Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 N/A – – 52 – – X – Styleride N 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King 57 – – – – – X McConnell Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King 57 – – – – – X Styleride Y 



A Volvo 3 10-12.9 Hispacold – X – – X – – N/A N/A 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Hispacold X – – – – – X N/A Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 N/A X – – – – – X N/A Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 N/A X – – – – – X N/A Y 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 N/A – – X – – X – N/A N 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King – – 41 – – X – McConnell N 

A ZF 2 10-12.9 Thermo King – – X – – X – McConnell N 

A Allison 2 9 Cling-Yutong – 39 – – X – – Yutong Y 

A Allison 2 12 Cling-Yutong 57 – – – – – X Yutong Y 








A Allison 2 8 Cling-Yutong 27 – – – X – – Yutong Y 







A ZF 2 12 Spheros – 53 – – X – – Yutong Y 


65

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ABC #402

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