Superbus heralds new era in public transport
20 January, 2009
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman today unveiled Council’s new super-sized rigid bus, with 1.6 times the capacity of a standard bus to boost Brisbane’s bus network capacity.
Cr Newman said the 14.5-metre bus, manufactured by Scania, had environmentally friendly, low emission diesel engines and was capable of carrying up to 98 passengers.
“These buses represent the latest in bus technology and will significantly boost our network’s capacity to meet increasing demand for service,” he said.
The Lord Mayor said eight of the new superbuses would be bought this Council term as part of his commitment to purchase another 500 new buses by 2012.
“We will look at how these new buses work out, with a review to be undertaken to determine whether more will be purchased down the track,” he said.
The new model has passed rigorous road and technical testing relating to its extra two metres and new back axle feature that enables navigation around Brisbane’s tight bends.
“These buses can fit an extra 36 passengers, meaning it will help us get more people out of bus stops to work or back home more quickly,” Cr Newman said.
“I am absolutely committed to improving Brisbane’s public transport and getting Brisbane moving, both through important road projects and a record investment in public transport.”
Cr Newman put a record 337 new buses on the road during his first term, compared to the previous Administration, which only delivered 60 buses over a five year period in the 1990s.
“This year alone, we will add the equivalent of 125 new rigid buses to our fleet and we will shortly be opening our new bus depot at Willawong and getting to work on our new bus build facility at Eagle Farm,” he said.
At the end of this term, the Lord Mayor will have delivered a massive 837 new buses to the Council fleet, doubling the number of buses he inherited in 2004.
Public and Active Transport Chairman Jane Prentice said the new bus would initially operate either to and from the University of Queensland or the 150 BUZ route from Browns Plains.
“These routes are very popular with commuters and have a large demand, so they will certainly benefit from the extra capacity,” she said.
[Ends] January 20, 2008
