By Juliano Oliveira
Brisbane is bracing for its first fully electric bus route amid plans to enhance and expand sustainable public transport.
As of June 14, the first bus operated by Yutong will hit the city’s streets. The routes served are the free clockwise loop 40 – 11 stops servicing across the city centre – and the free anti-clockwise loop 50 – nine stops across the city centre.
“On June 14, the first fully-electric, zero tailpipe emission bus will be silently moving passengers throughout the inner-city on the free City Loop service,” Public and Active Transport Chair Ryan Murphy said.
“By the first week of July, all four electric buses will be operating, running across the two free City Loop services, route 40 and 50.
“We are a national leader in many regards, including e-mobility and carbon neutrality, and this electric bus trial will keep our city moving forward to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future.
“The electric buses will improve air quality in the CBD by producing less pollution as well as delivering an improved experience for passengers.”
The vehicles can complete a full day’s service on a single charge, with a full recharge at the end of the day taking just four hours.
“We will also be trialling next-generation bus technology like passenger information displays and automated stop announcements, which is a Brisbane first,” Cr Murphy said.
“If you haven’t yet experienced an electric vehicle journey, I encourage you to jump on board and experience this new, modern way of travelling. Even better, the new buses will be servicing our free loops, so the electric experience won’t cost you a cent.”