Scania Australia wins 10-year contract to supply replacement buses for Adelaide’s metropolitan fleet, including local construction
About 340 buses will be built locally, under a decade-long deal struck on the weekend.
SA News
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Scania Australia has won a 10-year contract to supply replacement buses for Adelaide’s metropolitan fleet, under a deal that will include at least 29 being made locally each year.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll last year put on ice a process that began under the former Labor government, saying he needed to be sure it would deliver needed outcomes.
He said the deal announced on Sunday would allow changes to be made to the types of buses used in SA, including possible electric and driverless options, as needs change and evolve.
About 340 buses are expected to be produced under the decade-long deal. A demonstration hybrid bus will be provided by next year.
All buses will have driver security screens, duress alarms, CCTV and a fire suppression system.
Mr Knoll said the Government wanted to build a “better public transport network that will deliver more customer focused services for South Australians”.
“We know that public transport patronage growth has stalled over the last 10 years and we need to keep improving our service offering to drive patronage and encourage people to catch public transport,” he said.
“Beginning in 2020, the fuel-efficient and low emission Euro 6-compliant Scania-powered bus chassis will be fitted with locally made bus bodies.
“Excitingly we will see more diesel-electric hybrid bus on Adelaide’s streets.”
The Government manages 990 buses in the Adelaide Metro system.
New buses are purchased each year to replace existing buses, which are no longer fit for purpose or have reached the compulsory retirement age of 25 years.