Rail & Private Operator Observations 2019/2020

[385BUZ]

Thank You Cazza.

Yeah, they run ALOT of School Routes. And it appears they always have the same buses run the same school routes! An instesting way to operate...

[daveeyh]

Thank You Cazza.

Yeah, they run ALOT of School Routes. And it appears they always have the same buses run the same school routes! An instesting way to operate...

Not unusual for some operators - for instance, the TfB services operated by Hornibrook in the northern part of Brisbane (routes 326 and 327) are run by the same bus operator driving the same bus every day.

[James00]

It's the norm for most, (particularly smaller) operators. Exceptions are school runs that are attached to urban shifts. Another example of this is Bus Qld's depots - Park Ridge, Ipswich, Laidley and Toowoomba.

[AirBusTrain]

Mt Gravatt Bus Service "Jude" 493CVK has been dereg and withdrawn from service on 28th February '20.

[385BUZ]

I remember they announced it on social media a while ago...

Old news but still worth sharing!

[AirBusTrain]

Old news but still worth sharing!

Old news yes, but hasn't been updated on the fleet lists. I find that admin update the lists if updates are posted here.

[385BUZ]

Old news yes, but hasn't been updated on the fleet lists. I find that admin update the lists if updates are posted here.

That was my point


Also, does LCBS have a schedule for replacing buses?
Eg. they get a certain number each year, buses get retired at a certain age... etc

Thanks

[AirBusTrain]

Old news yes, but hasn't been updated on the fleet lists. I find that admin update the lists if updates are posted here.

That was my point

Ahh my bad mate.

Old news yes, but hasn't been updated on the fleet lists. I find that admin update the lists if updates are posted here.

Also, does LCBS have a schedule for replacing buses?
Eg. they get a certain number each year, buses get retired at a certain age... etc

Thanks

LCBS don't have a set schedule as such, as far as I know, they buy new buses if one is taken off the road, so if 3 are gone, 3 new come. The age for buses to be withdrawn is 20 years as per Translinks operator contract. Best time to see if Clarks get new buses is straight after school holidays, especially at the start of the year.
Apparently there are a couple coming after these holidays, but wouldn't count on it. Keep an eye out after the new years holidays once school goes out for next year. Hope that helps!

[385BUZ]

Thanks!

[AirBusTrain]

UPDATE FOR CLARKS BUS SERVICE - SEP 2020

Mercedes-Benz unit range:
10 - dereg (withdrawn)
11 - dereg (withdrawn)
50 - Was XQ83MJ, now dereg (withdrawn)

Volvo ULF (aka pre VST):
n/a

New unit range:
n/a

VST unit range:
n/a

Bendy unit range:
n/a

[385BUZ]

https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-new ... commitment

E-BUSES PART OF AUD$23 BILLION QLD ELECTION COMMITMENT
By: Fabian Cotter, Photography by: courtesy Kinetic, Clarks + Nathan Duff

Date: 18.10.2020

A MASSIVE pre-election ‘carrot dangle’ by the current Queensland State Labor Government will see $23 Billion invested to “supercharge roads, public transport and jobs”, with electric buses a key feature of the plan, according to a statement made recently.

E-BUSES PART OF AUD$23 BILLION QLD ELECTION COMMITMENT
(L-R) Kinetic GM of SEQ Matt Campbell, Labor’s Candidate for Burleigh Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, Labor’s Candidate for Currumbin Kaylee Campradt, Surfside Buslines depot manager Allyson Robinson and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey.
With the Queensland general election voting period from Monday, 19 October, to election day on Saturday, 31 October, 2020, this week’s announcement would see The Gold Coast and Logan areas set to become, "…the home of electric buses with a re-elected Palaszczuk Government to supercharge the industry by building and trialling the technology in the growing region," it states.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says Gold Coast and Logan commuters would enjoy "…a first-hand glimpse of the future" with the government to partner with local companies Bustech, Kinetic (Surfside Buslines) and Clarks (Clarks Logan City Bus Service), it confirms.

"We’ve built light rail, we’re rolling out the longest electric vehicle superhighway in the world, and from next year locals will build and ride electric buses that will be able to travel up to 300km from a single charge," Minister Bailey said.

"It’s part of a $23 billion commitment by the Palaszczuk Government to supercharge roads, public transport and jobs," he explained.

Labor party candidate for Burleigh Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew - a three-time world surfing champion, passionate conservationist and Southern Gold Coast local of more than 60 years, according to his online party précis - says Queenslanders had stepped up when it comes to managing the health impacts of Covid-19.

"Because of that, the Palaszczuk Government has been able to deliver Queensland’s plan for economic recovery – and that includes electrifying our advanced manufacturing capabilities," candidate Bartholomew said.

"It’s great to see Burleigh Heads’ very own Bustech will build electric vehicles to be trialled by Clark’s Logan, supporting the company’s 150 jobs and boosting our local supply chains in the process," he added.

J&A_LoganBus_BG_266.jpg

DRIVING FORCE
Member for Waterford and Minister for Employment and Small Business, and Minister for Training and Skills Development, Shannon Fentiman says in total 10 electric buses built on the Gold Coast would be rolled out onto bus routes across Logan.

"Before Covid-19 hit, our community was a driving force behind two record years of public transport use," Minister Fentiman said.

"As part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, the Palaszczuk Government is extending the busway in Logan thanks to the $749 million M1 upgrade through to Daisy Hill, and very soon we’ll see electric buses on our streets."

Labor’s candidate for Currumbin Kaylee Campradt says on the Gold Coast electric buses would be used for the very first time on the 777 bus route between Broadbeach and the airport.

"We know buses play an important role in connecting our community, alongside the coast’s popular light rail and heavy rail," candidate Campradt said.

"With this very important first step it’ll mean that by 2030 every new bus being rolled out across Queensland will be a zero-emissions bus, which is great news for our environment too.

"We’re building more than $4 billion in roads and transport for the region supporting more than 3,000 jobs, and with the electric bus market continually evolving, I think we’ll potentially see our community become the home of advanced vehicle manufacturing in Australia," she said.

Kinetic qld.JPG

LOCAL CONTENT
Of the announcement, new Bustech CEO Thinus Steyn said: "We have the skills, capacity and supply chain in Queensland and more broadly Australia to design, engineer and manufacture zero-emissions buses locally, creating and supporting hundreds of jobs."

"Bustech’s locally manufactured electric buses being delivered to Clarks have the highest local content of any bus available in Australia, providing the highest levels of economic return for industry and local communities" Steyn explained.

"It’s important that local state governments promote sovereign capability as we look to recover from the impacts of Covid-19.

"The transition to zero-emissions technology buses can create and sustain industry and employment whilst driving sustainability in mass transit and it’s fantastic that the Queensland Government is supporting local manufacturing in this way," Steyn added.

XDI1x.JPG

A FORWARD-THINKING CITY
Co-CEO at Surfside operator Kinetic Adam Begg congratulated the Queensland Government on leading the adoption of sustainable bus technology in Australia, which also comes after a recent announcement that five electric buses would soon arrive to Cairns’ public bus network via Kinetic’s Sunbus.

"This is a fantastic outcome for regular Gold Coast commuters and tourists alike, who will be among the first to experience the benefits of cleaner, greener buses with quieter, smoother operation. It will change the way people think about public buses and strengthen the Gold Coast’s reputation as a progressive, forward-thinking city," Begg said.

"We’ll soon be operating the largest fleet of electric buses in the region and we are passionate about working with the Palaszczuk Government and other proactive governments across Australia and New Zealand looking to embrace innovative new ways to move people."

Clarks-0275.jpg

A BETTER EXPERIENCE
Clarks general manager Martin Hall says the new buses would be something local residents would be proud of.

"As Logan matures as one of Queensland’s most attractive cities to live and do business in, Clarks continues to look for better ways to keep residents moving and connected - and greener buses will make travelling with us an even better experience," Hall said.

Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) executive director David Tape says he welcomed the greener bus future and investment in the state's bus industry.

"Queensland's bus industry keeps more than 10,000 people in jobs across the state and makes 125 million trips each year," Tape said.

"Having more electric and greener bus fleets is important as well as ongoing investment and support for our vital industry.".

[385BUZ]

This morning I noticed Sunstate Charters #53 around Ashgrove, still in the NSW TrainLink livery, but with TrainLink Logos removed, and in place sunstate logos. This route/service in Ashgrove is always run by #16. I am just wondering if anyone can confirm if this bus has moved depots or Sunstate is temporarily/permanently not running TrainLink services anymore.

[superbossgc]

Caboolture Buslines had bought Bribie Island Coaches.

https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-new ... 11MLHjNWnk

[385BUZ]

Caboolture Buslines had bought Bribie Island Coaches.

https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-new ... 11MLHjNWnk

I wonder if they'll rebrand

[1whoknows]

Kind of old news - that was in the September Australian Bus Panorama. Happened from 27 July.

[AirBusTrain]

Sunbus Sunshine Coast #5714 was seen returning to its depot today from Bustech after receiving a refurb.

[385BUZ]

Sunbus Sunshine Coast #5714 was seen returning to its depot today from Bustech after receiving a refurb.

What sort of refurb? Refronted to MK III VST body as usual?

[AirBusTrain]

Sunbus Sunshine Coast #5714 was seen returning to its depot today from Bustech after receiving a refurb.

What sort of refurb? Refronted to MK III VST body as usual?

No. Forgot to state what type of refurb.
Is now in Translink livery (previously Sunbus), new interior and engine and gearbox overhaul.

[AirBusTrain]

Clarks has taken delivery of 2 new B8RLE VSTs.
Unit numbers 10 and 11.
Unit 10 VIN YV3T7U524LA202463
Unit 11 VIN YV3T7U526LA202464
Delivered on the 26th.

Clarks unit 27 was seen at Logan Central this morning on "Kindy Express"
http://theearlyyears.com.au/all-aboard- ... n-kindies/

Surfside 373 was seen passing through Runcorn, near Fruitgrove train station this morning at 9:45am.

[AirBusTrain]

Get your cameras charged and ready, Clarks will have Christmas buses running once again this year!

Will be operating on 555, 572, P581 and 582.

Commencing on the 7th at 11.15am at Springwood Busway station.

Come along and get photos of the Christmas bus and possibly photos with Santa!

www.bit.ly/XmasBus2020

[385BUZ]

3x Ex Clarks Mercs for sale:

http://www.roddhoodsbusandcoachsales.com/clarks-11.aspx

[AirBusTrain]

Sunbus will no longer be operating runs 064 and 065. Will now be operated by CDC (was Buslink), by what looks to be Volgren CR228L(s).
The Go Noosa contract was awarded to CDC today who will now operate the 064 and 065 free bus routes.

https://cdcqueensland.com.au/go-noosa-c ... ueensland/

[385BUZ]

Judging by the rear, they look identical to BT's Scania L94(s) / Volgren CR224L(s)

[ABS]

No gas pods. Could be ex-Melbourne or Adelaide.

[385BUZ]

Could it be this pair??

https://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/qld ... 2CR228L%22

The only issue I see is that these 2 would have the updated rear seen on newer CR228Ls.