State Government considers ‘super buses’ for Brisbane busways

TransLink is considering trialling revolutionary 200-passenger ‘super buses’ on Brisbane’s busway network, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said TransLink was likely to decide by November whether the ‘super buses’ were suitable to trial on the city’s busway network.

Mr Lucas, said the vehicles, known as LighTrams, were already in use on the streets of Switzerland where they operated as electric trolley cars. Any Brisbane trial would involve buses powered by hybrid diesel/electric engines, rather than overhead electric wires.

“These super buses are about 25m long and can carry about 200 people – three times as many people as a normal bus and more than twice that of existing articulated buses,” Mr Lucas said.

“Even though they’re twice the length of a standard bus they have the same turning circle as a standard articulated ‘banana bus’.”

Mr Lucas said if any trial went ahead the double articulated buses would operate on Brisbane’s dedicated busway network, not suburban streets.

“These vehicles are a good fit for Brisbane’s growing busway network, especially given the increased passenger demand.” Mr Lucas said.

“They can carry up to 200 people, which is the same capacity as three normal buses.

“The vehicles don’t compromise on any of the features bus passengers are used to.

“The vehicles are very passenger friendly with low floors, aisles designed to maximise passenger flows, areas for disabled passengers, video surveillance and modern timetable information systems.”

Mr Lucas said LighTrams were also environmentally friendly.

“LighTrams can run on a hybrid diesel electric engine and use considerably less fuel than the three standard buses required to carry the same number of passengers,” he said.

“When working off the diesel engine, LighTrams can also use 100% bio diesel, further reducing their impact on the environment.

“They are also much quieter than conventional buses.”

Mr Lucas said despite their large size, LighTrams were still very manoeuvrable thanks to an extra steering mechanism on the fourth axle of the vehicle.

Mr Lucas said there were a number of important issues that needed to be resolved before any trial went ahead.

“I want to make it very clear there is no guarantee a trial will go ahead,” Mr Lucas said.

“There are a number of issues that need to be investigated before any trial is given the green light.”

Mr Lucas said TransLink had advised him that issues currently being considered included manufacturing timelines, weight and size standards for vehicles operating on Australian roads and mechanical work that would need to be undertaken to allow buses to operate in the country.

“TransLink is currently talking to the vehicle manufacturer and working through these issues.”

“More work needs to be done, but if the vehicles stack up we will look to place an order for a small number of LighTrams to trial them in a live environment in Brisbane next year.

“And if any trial is successful, they could become the newest addition to the TransLink fleet,” he said.

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                       Darren Roberts 0448 184566.