The first two of at least seven lower-emission, green hybrid buses have rolled out in Adelaide as part of a South Australian Government and Scania Australia partnership.
The state-of-the-art hybrid buses are being delivered as part of the State Government’s next generation of lower-emissions Adelaide Metro buses.
In 2019, Scania Australia was awarded the contract to supply approximately 340 new buses over ten years, with the majority being manufactured locally by South Australian business Precision Buses, supporting almost 100 local jobs.
Scania and Precision Buses have now delivered their first two diesel-electric hybrid buses for Adelaide Metro, one of which was also their 100th bus for South Australia overall (the 47th as part of the current supply contract, with 53 having been delivered under the previous contract).
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the SA Government was building a cleaner and more environmentally friendly transport network that will encourage more people to leave their car at home, while supporting local jobs.
“The first two Scania Hybrids to be part of the Adelaide Metro bus fleet have now rolled off the production line and will be ready for use across the bus network, including on the O-Bahn, in January after undergoing extensive acceptance testing,” Mr Wingard said.
“The batteries recharge while they are driving, allowing the buses to automatically and seamlessly alternate between electric vehicle (EV) and diesel modes. Pending the results of acceptance testing, it’s estimated this will result in a 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.
“While these buses are in EV mode, there’ll also be less noise and tailpipe emissions for passengers waiting at bus stops and residents living along the routes it’s servicing.
“These buses are a shining example of the innovative technology we have adopted for our new generation of Adelaide Metro buses, which will be more fuel efficient and have lower exhaust emissions than the buses they are replacing.”
The 340 new buses delivered under the contract will replace existing buses which are no longer fit for purpose or have reached the compulsory retirement age of 25 years, as required under the Passenger Transport Regulations 2009.
“Importantly, a minimum of 34 buses delivered each year will be built by Edinburgh-based Precision Buses at a critical time when jobs are needed most,” Mr Wingard said.
“Precision Buses has also created an Apprenticeship Academy and around 40 new jobs as a result of this bus supply contract.
“The adoption of the Scania Hybrid for the Adelaide Metro fleet has led to an increase in the number of employees at Precision Buses dedicated to bus body building.”
These two Scania Hybrid buses were the first ordered by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, with a second order of five Scania Hybrids also in the pre-production stage.
The supply contract with Scania includes provisions to order additional hybrid buses and adapt to new technologies as they emerge over time.
All new buses are Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant and have driver security screens, duress alarms, CCTV and a fire suppression system.
