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journeys, it says.<br />
“We are very proud to partner<br />
with TfNSW to support the future<br />
growth and transformation of the<br />
Northern Beaches,” said Keolis<br />
Downer CEO David Franks.<br />
“Drawing on our experience<br />
locally and globally, we will launch<br />
a range of new initiatives to<br />
enhance the customer experience<br />
building from the already<br />
excellent bus services in the area.<br />
“We will introduce new service<br />
technology to enable staff to<br />
actively manage routes and<br />
monitor bus running times,<br />
improving the frequency of<br />
bus services.<br />
“We are also very excited to<br />
continue to deliver the highly<br />
successful on-demand transport<br />
service, which we have been<br />
operating in the area since 2017.<br />
“We look forward to further<br />
engaging with the community to<br />
deliver a safe, efficient and reliable<br />
transport system that supports the<br />
liveability and future prosperity<br />
of this vibrant, growing region,”<br />
Franks said.<br />
ABOUT KEOILS DOWNER<br />
Keolis Downer is a leading<br />
operator of public transport<br />
services in Australia, it states.<br />
With 4,900 employees and<br />
a presence in five states, Keolis<br />
Downer enables 250 million<br />
passenger journeys per year,<br />
it confirms.<br />
The company operates<br />
and maintains the integrated<br />
network in Newcastle; the largest<br />
tram network in the world in<br />
Melbourne (Yarra Trams); the<br />
light-rail network on the Gold<br />
Coast (G:link); and 1,000 buses<br />
in NSW, Western Australia, South<br />
Australia and Queensland, it<br />
states.<br />
It also operates and maintains<br />
the Adelaide Metro train services,<br />
it adds.<br />
Established in 2009, Keolis<br />
Downer is a joint venture between<br />
Keolis, a leading public transport<br />
operator established in 15<br />
countries, and Downer, the<br />
leading provider of integrated<br />
services in Australia and New<br />
Zealand, it says.<br />
STRONG INTEREST FOR 2021<br />
SYDNEY BUS AND COACH EXPO<br />
EXCITIMENT IS BUILDING and strong<br />
interest is being shown for the forthcoming<br />
2021 Australasia Bus and Coach Expo,<br />
being held Wednesday 29 to Thursday 30<br />
September at Sydney Showground, Sydney<br />
Olympic Park, organisers have announced.<br />
BusNSW executive director Matt<br />
Threlkeld confirms there has been strong<br />
exhibitor and visitor interest for the 2021<br />
Expo, which is returning to Sydney after<br />
five years.<br />
“On the back of the successful 2019<br />
Melbourne Expo, the Sydney event this<br />
year promises to be another world-class<br />
exhibition for the Australasian bus and<br />
coach industry,” Threlkeld said.<br />
The Expo will include more than $50<br />
million-worth of vehicles and in excess of<br />
100 exhibition booths displaying products<br />
and services, covering 14,000 square metres<br />
and all under the one roof, according to<br />
BusNSW.<br />
Approximately 90 per cent of vehicle<br />
display areas and 70 per cent of booths<br />
have been sold, so there are limited<br />
opportunities remaining for industry<br />
suppliers to exhibit their products and<br />
services, it adds.<br />
“The Expo will have free entry to optimise<br />
attendance by key decision makers<br />
representing bus and coach operators,<br />
large and small,” Threlkeld explained.<br />
HIGH PRIORITY<br />
The Covid-safe event is being held at a time<br />
when public transport and the transition to<br />
zero-emission technology is a high priority<br />
for all levels of government, says BusNSW.<br />
“The NSW minister for transport and<br />
roads has challenged Transport for NSW<br />
to transition the state’s fleet of 8,000<br />
contracted buses to zero-emission<br />
technology by 2030, and we are pleased<br />
that Transport for NSW is proudly<br />
supporting the 2021 Australasia Bus &<br />
Coach Expo,” Threlkeld said.<br />
“This year’s Expo will have a significant<br />
number of electric buses on display,” he<br />
added.<br />
Operators, suppliers and industry<br />
stakeholders can keep well informed in the<br />
lead-up to the event via the official Expo<br />
website: www.busandcoachexpo.com.au<br />
DIARY DATES<br />
Online registration for social events,<br />
including a welcome function on Tuesday,<br />
September 28, and industry gala dinner on<br />
Wednesday, September 29, will open soon<br />
via the Expo website, BusNSW states.<br />
“If buses or coaches are your business,<br />
mark Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30<br />
September 2021 in your calendar and start<br />
planning your visit to the Sydney Expo<br />
today,” Threlkeld advised.<br />
Suppliers interested in exhibiting<br />
can register online at: www.<br />
busandcoachexpo.com.au, or contact<br />
BusNSW directly via telephone on (02) 8839<br />
9500.<br />
Above:<br />
The 2021 Australasia Bus and Coach Expo will be<br />
returning to Sydney after five years.<br />
busnews.com.au June 2021 <strong>ABC</strong><br />
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