ABC #406

Council develop and maintain one
of the country’s leading and modern
fleet of buses. In return, they have
contributed valuably to the success
and excellence of our vehicles,” he
explained.
“Our Optimus is our flagship
bus and we aim to make our next
Optimus better than our last. We are
continually making improvements,
and many of the standard features
have come from recommendations
that were originally modifications
specific to Brisbane.”
Transport for Brisbane manager –
engineering and assets – Karl Hain
said: “Our collaborative partnership
has seen several key product
improvements for safety, customer
and environmental outcomes.
“Fitting fire suppression, setting
industry best practice for emergency
exits, USB charging points
and the introduction of Euro 6
low-emission vehicles have been key
improvements along the journey.”
Deiro adds he was hopeful that
Volgren’s strong presence in, and
outstanding knowledge of, the
Queensland market would stand it
in good stead when any future BCC
bus tenders were announced.
“Volgren has a proud history
of supplying high-quality buses to
all of Queensland and we have built
up a dedicated team of specialist
bus body builders and more than
20 local suppliers.
“As Australia transitions to
zero-emission buses, led by
operators such as Brisbane City
Council, we believe we’re well placed
to supply the next generations of
on-road public transport vehicles
to operators in this state and across
the country.”
TIME FOR REFLECTION
Volvo Bus Australia (VBA) reflected
on more than a decade of successful
partnership with BCC and Volgren
Australia.
With close to 80 million passenger
movements annually, across more
than 400 bus routes, BCC is a major
provider of public transport services
– with VBA at the forefront of
supporting BCC through the
supply of safe, reliable and
environmentally friendly vehicles
and servicing, it states.
Throughout the decades, BCC
grew its small fleet of 11 buses to
one that now boasts more than
1,200 vehicles, it confirms. VBA has
proudly been a part of BCC’s journey
throughout this time, after official
awarding in 2008 of the initial
three-year contract to supply chassis
to BCC, it states.
VBA would soon go on to have
its supply contract extended for
a further nine years and would
continue to deliver buses with its
long-time body-build partner, and
BCC’s prime contractor, Volgren,
Volvo explains.
MODEL BREADTH
Since 2008, VBA and Volgren
have together delivered 882
buses to BCC, of various bus models,
including the B7RLE, B12BLE,
B8RLE, B8RLEA and the Volvo B5L
self-charging hybrid.
BCC was also one of Volvo’s first
customers to adopt Euro 5 and
Euro 6 vehicles.
We believe we’re well
placed to supply the next
generations of on-road
public transport vehicles to
operators in this state and
across the country.
In addition to BCC’s support
of local manufacturing its
commitment to a clean, low-carbon
public transport network has been
boosted by the deployment of Volvo
buses – particularly with BCC’s heavy
investment in low-emission vehicles
in advance of legislative regulations,
Volvo says.
The deployment of these
vehicles has not only mitigated
environmental impacts through
reduced CO2 emissions, but has
provided unparalleled bus safety
to the general public of Brisbane,
Volvo states.
Opposite:
For 12 years,
Volgren delivered
nearly 900 buses
to Brisbane City
Council.
Above:
Volgren has
been operating
as prime
contractor to
Brisbane City
Council in
partnership with
leading chassis
manufacturer
Volvo.
Left:
A celebration of
the partnership
was held at
Volgren’s Eagle
Farm production
facility.
busnews.com.au June 2021 ABC
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