All buses servicing Seymour’s five routes are now electric, leading the Victorian Government’s push to transition to a zero emission bus network.
All new buses introduced to Victoria’s public transport routes will be zero emissions by 2025 as the State transitions roughly 4,500 diesel buses in the public fleet to cleaner technology, including around 2,200 in regional Victoria.
“Seymour is leading the way in Victoria with cleaner and more sustainable transport options as we push towards achieving net zero emissions by 2045,” Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said.
Developing a greener fleet is part of Victoria’s Bus Plan, which aims to provide a modern and dependable network that attracts more passengers, with new greener buses being critical to the State Government’s objective of net zero emissions by 2045.
“This is a win for the local community as Seymour bus passengers become the first in the state to benefit from an entirely zero emissions bus fleet and the quieter and smoother journeys that come with this greener technology,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes stated.
Seymour Passenger Services introduced its first zero emission bus in January of this year and is one of six operators across Victoria participating in the State Government’s $20 million Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Trial, which will see 52 zero-emission buses – 50 electric and two hydrogen – deployed across Melbourne, Traralgon, and Seymour.
The trial guides the transition to zero emissions by collecting practical data on zero emission buses’ performance and energy and charging requirements for various services.
The three-year ZEB pilot also provides insights into how the buses may improve financial and environmental sustainability and develop critical local industry partnerships – such as with energy providers and manufacturers – that will be required to make the state-wide change.
“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 State Government has also just concluded a public consultation on the zero-emission bus transition, which will help inform the statewide transition’s methodology and sequencing.
