Queensland Government to trial two bioethanol buses in Mackay
Bioethanol fuelled buses powered on the Mackay region’s sugarcane will be rolled out in the sugar city in what is described as a milestone moment for public transport.
Two new buses running off locally grown sugar will join Mackay’s bus fleet later this month.
The bioethanol fuelled buses will be the first of their kind used in Queensland’s public transport network and are a part of a greater trial across the state which will also have electric buses trialled in the southeast corner.
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert described the trial as a “sweet deal for Mackay”.
“This is going to be fantastic for Mackay,” Ms Gilbert said.
“Mackay was chosen because Mackay Transit Coaches have been an enabler in getting this project up and going.
“Scania have built these beautiful buses and Wilmar who are producing the fuel that is going into our local buses here.”
Ms Gilbert explained the rollout of the new buses had already created Queensland jobs, but locally the impact would increase once the buses began running later this month.
Scania’s research suggests carbon could be reduced by up to 90 per cent when compared with standard fuel.
Ms Gilbert said the Mackay trial was an important project for the future of public transport in the state.
“The new buses will hit the road, in their distinctive design, and I encourage everyone to jump on board,” she said.
“I’m sure public transport customers will also enjoy hopping on-board the new buses knowing they’re playing a part in potentially shaping the future of the network.”
The $1.184 million of funding required for the project has been jointly shared by Scania ($800,000) and the Queensland Government ($384,000).
Scania Bus and Coach Queensland manager Brian Thompson said the investment was about the company underlining their leadership in the shift towards sustainable transport.
“This covers the provision of two rolling chassis and powertrains suited to ethanol fuel, as well as investing in the Australian-built bus bodies and the cost of installing a fuel depot at the bus company where the bulk and locally produced fuel will be stored,” he said.
Wilmar Bioethanol operations manager Pieter Van Vuren said the organisation was proud to be a part of a trial where bioethanol made in Sarina is used to power buses “in our own backyard”.
“We’ve been making ethanol from molasses at our distillery for almost a century, so it’s fitting that we provide the fuel for the first formal trial of biofuel buses in this region,” Mr Van Vuren said.
