Melbourne is set to get more environmentally friendly buses, with the state government announcing it has awarded Victoria’s first zero emission bus contracts to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable bus fleet.
The new Metropolitan Zero Emission Bus Franchises will cover a third of Melbourne’s bus network and will fast track the replacement of existing diesel pusses with 600 new zero emission battery electric buses by 2035. This forms part of the state’s target towards net zero emissions by 2045.
These new contracts will cover 131 public routs plus more than 230 school bus services across Melbourne, and will also deliver quieter, smoother and cleaner rides for passengers.
Following a competitive tender process, the new bus contracts have been awarded to Victorian-based bus operators Dysons, CDC and Kinetic who have extensive experience in running bus services in Victoria.
The government claims that once delivered in 2035, the 600 new zero emission buses will travel more than 35 million kilometres and save an estimated 45,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. The services will begin once current contracts expire on 30 June 2025 with all existing routs and timetables being maintained.
