The Victorian Government is accelerating its transition to a cleaner and more sustainable bus fleet, with funding for the Zero Emissions Bus rollout included in this year’s Budget, supporting Footscray’s first zero emissions buses.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll and Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio visited the Transit Systems depot in West Footscray, which is now home to nine new electric buses that will cover popular routes in Melbourne’s west, including Williamstown, Moonee Ponds, Footscray, and Sunshine.
“We’re investing in cleaner technologies, supporting local manufacturing and delivering a more modern, efficient and reliable bus network that gets passengers where they need to go,” Minister Carroll said.
“The Zero Emissions Bus Trial is one of the key parts of Victoria’s ambitious climate action agenda and will help us meet our world leading emissions reduction targets of 75-80 per cent by 2035 and net zero by 2045,” Minister D’Ambrosio stated.
The depot has been refurbished to serve as the home base for the State Government’s $20 million Zero Emissions Bus Trial fleet of nine electric buses.
“This is a huge benefit for passengers in Footscray as we fast track our transition to a clean bus fleet – with these new zero emissions buses to create smoother journeys and quiet buses in our streets,” Member for Footscray Katie Hall said.
One of the six operators in Victoria participating in the trial is Transit Systems, which will see 52 zero emission buses — 50 electric and two hydrogen buses, a first for Victoria — deployed around Melbourne, Traralgon, and Seymour.
All new buses on Victoria’s public transport routes will be zero-emissions by 2025, and this trial will guide the transition of the State’s 4,000 diesel buses, including about 2,200 in regional Victoria.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 contains funds to assist the rollout of zero emission buses as part of new 10-year metropolitan bus contracts, with the goal of placing more clean transportation on the network by 2035.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 contains funds to assist the rollout of zero emission buses as part of new 10-year metropolitan bus contracts, with the goal of placing more clean transportation on the network by 2035.
The deployment follows other zero-emission buses already on Victoria’s network, particularly in Melbourne’s west, where Kinetic delivers electric buses on several routes running out of Sunshine.
The deployment follows other zero-emission buses already on Victoria’s network, particularly in Melbourne’s west, where Kinetic delivers electric buses on several routes running out of Sunshine.
The trial’s data will give useful information such as how zero-emission buses function, as well as energy and charging requirements for various sorts of routes. It will also reveal how the buses may enhance their financial and environmental sustainability.
The pilot is also creating local business collaborations, such as with energy providers and manufacturers, that will be needed to transition the State.
According to the Victorian Government, the State has world-leading emissions reduction objectives of 75–80% by 2035 and net zero by 2045. The State Government said it is helping farmers decrease emissions, storing carbon in its landscape, and reducing waste sector emissions through the circular economy.
The Government’s ambitious climate change strategy also includes zero emission buses and 100% renewable energy for metropolitan trains and trams by 2025.
Victoria’s Bus Plan aims to create a modern, dependable network that attracts more passengers by creating a cleaner fleet. The new buses are crucial to the State Government’s objectives to cut transport sector emissions and target net zero emissions by 2045.
