Bus operator Kinetic has announced that it has worked with the Queensland Government to launch five new battery electric buses into the public transport network of the Far North city of Cairns .
The battery electric buses (BEB) will run Translink services across the city’s network and are expected to save as much as 1,000 tonnes of CO2 each across their lifespan, while reducing noise pollution around the region.
The introduction of the new buses in north Queensland supports the government’s commitment that every new bus in southeast Queensland will be zero-emission from 2025, with regional implementation to begin between 2025 and 2030. It also supports Kinetic’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2035.
The announcement of the new Cairns buses follow the announcement of 20 battery electric buses that Kinetic is rolling out across the state, as it works to support the Queensland government in electrifying the region’s public transport network.
The company also announced that it has launched 10 new battery electric buses (BEB) in the Gold Coast, based at the company’s depot in Currumbin, which it claims is is Australia’s first 100 per cent electric bus depot, the zero-emission vehicles operate Translink services, including the 777 route connecting the Gold Coast Airport to the heart of the city.
The launch of the new buses on the Gold Coast builds on the Queensland government’s commitment that every new bus in South East Queensland will be zero-emission from 2025, with regional implementation to begin between 2025 and 2030.
“These buses lay the foundation for a fully electrified passenger transport network, and push us towards our net zero targets,” said Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.
“We were delighted to see Kinetic’s first electric buses hit the road on the Sunshine Coast earlier this year, with regional Queenslanders then getting their first glimpse of two bioethanol buses in Mackay in May, and five electric buses to start operating in Cairns shortly. Now, Gold Coast customers will get their first taste when the buses hit the streets,” he added.
