NSW has rolled out its new hydrogen bus in the Illawarra, marking its six-month trial on the Gong Shuttle loop before being trialled on other routes across the Illawarra.
Transport for NSW will use the data gathered from the bus trial to decide on the best electric and hydrogen technology for NSW’s regional bus operators, passengers, and communities.
“It will provide Transport for NSW with important data needed to inform any further roll-out of Hydrogen technology on our bus and transport networks,” Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said.
The ARCC-built bus can drive for 16 hours and 515 km on just 32kg of hydrogen. An equivalent diesel bus would need 170 litres of diesel to cover the same distance.
The bus will be refuelled at the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub’s Coregas hydrogen refuelling station.
“This Hydrogen bus trial will give passengers a unique opportunity to experience a greener, quieter, and more comfortable journey on the loop between Wollongong station and the university,” Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said.
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully commented, “Transport is a way that we can help develop both the supply and demand for hydrogen in the region as it is looked at as a cleaner, greener industrial fuel source in the future.”
Premier Illawarra will operate the bus, which will cover existing routes in accordance with existing timetables.
“Premier Illawarra is proud to collaborate with bus manufacturer ARCC and Transport for NSW on this innovative demonstration, and give our local passengers a cleaner, greener journey on the Illawarra bus network,” Premier Transport Group Director John King said.
King stated that the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub provides a unique opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the company’s services.
The trial comes after a successful hydrogen bus trial on the Central Coast, where the bus exceeded expectations on the road.
“It’s exciting to see zero emissions bus trials making their way out of Central Sydney, into the Central Coast, now Wollongong and in the future, more regional centres across NSW,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said.
“We’re committed to transitioning the state’s fleet of 8,000 diesel and gas buses on our public transport network to net zero emissions technology. That means rolling out electric buses onto roads in Sydney and Newcastle, and trialling technology like hydrogen buses on other parts of the state,” Minister Haylen stated.
