Wheels in motion for 200 new rail replacement buses

• Scania Australia Pty Ltd and Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd have both been appointed as the preferred builders for Queensland’s 200 rail replacement buses.
• The Palaszczuk Government is investing an initial $133.8 million to build these buses locally.
• Volgren will build 165 Euro 6 diesel buses on Volvo chassis, while BusTech will build 35 Euro 6 diesel buses on Scania chassis
• The 200 buses will provide public transport continuity as significant and critical work occurs on the South East Queensland (SEQ) rail network.

The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to build 200 rail replacement buses locally has hit another milestone with the preferred manufacturers announced today.

Scania Australia Pty Ltd and Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd have both been appointed as preferred builders of the 200 new buses after a rigorous independent procurement process.  

The initial $133.8 million investment will ensure the buses are built in Queensland, supporting local manufacturing jobs, skills, and training.

The first bus is expected to be delivered in March 2024 with the full delivery of the 200 buses by the end of 2024.

The buses will be used to ensure SEQ public transport users can travel across the network during track closures on the train network.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) currently works with its contracted bus operators to source rail replacement buses during track closures. The new arrangement will mean TMR owns the buses and can deploy them more flexibly across SEQ during track closures on the train network.

With rolling track closures in 2024 to undertake critical works for Cross River Rail these buses will make sure that commuter impacts are minimised.

The buses will be built with all Queenslanders and visitors to our state in mind, ensuring everyone has access to public transport, including people in a wheelchair, and people travelling with luggage or prams.

TMR is currently prioritising the delivery of infrastructure to support charging capabilities for zero-emission buses at depots across SEQ and remains committed to all new Translink-contracted buses in SEQ being a zero-emission vehicle from 2025.

Once the supporting infrastructure is completed at depots within SEQ the contract allows flexibility to turn to procuring electric buses under this contract.

Quotes attributed to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“We are a government that backs Queensland manufacturers and today’s announcement is more evidence of that.

"This is an investment in Queenslanders and the future of our skilled manufacturing sector.

“We know that when we build here in Queensland, we are supporting local workers, local suppliers and the next generation of skilled bus builders.

“Whether it’s trains, or buses, Queensland is the place to build and invest.  I look forward to seeing these new vehicles out on the road.”

Quotes attributed to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:

“The big winners here are our local manufacturers and local workers who will build buses in Queensland, for Queenslanders, which will ultimately benefit our public transport users.

“Queensland’s diverse economy is something we are proud of and investments like this into local jobs and transport infrastructure can only mean one thing – a better connected and mobile population.

“These buses will play an important role in keeping South East Queenslanders moving during the next few years while major projects such as Cross River Rail and Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail are integrated into the existing train network.

“Forward planning and anticipating the needs of our travelling public with minimal disruption is at the heart of this huge and significant undertaking by the Queensland Government.

“With the procurement process over, it is now time to get on with the job and deliver for Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Volgren CEO, Thiago Deiro:

"This project is a game-changer for Volgren's Eagle Farm production facility. It will support hundreds of current and new jobs in Brisbane and create and retain essential skills for the upcoming Zero Emission Bus transition from 2025. Volgren is pleased to have been trusted with such an amazing project.

"After facing challenging years, during and post-COVID, long-term projects with visibility will allow the industry to invest in local jobs, training, and providing opportunities for the communities.

"Besides being locally manufactured in Brisbane, Volgren buses are predominantly made using locally supplied parts and components, creating a circular economy, benefiting the local supply chain, and creating amazing job opportunities for the communities where we are involved."

“We express our gratitude to the Palaszczuk Government, including Transport Minister Mark Bailey and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, for their unwavering support.

"This project is critical and vital for local businesses to remain viable and investing in the state. It represents a significant stride towards Queensland's sustainable transportation future, fostering economic growth, job creation, and skills development within the region. Volgren looks forward to the successful delivery of this project and the continued collaboration with the Queensland government to enhance the state's public transportation network.”

Quotes attributable to Bustech CEO Dan Marks:

“BusTech is delighted to have been awarded buses in partnership with Scania as part of the rail replacement program.

“BusTech has been manufacturing buses in Queensland for 30 years, employing 1000’s of Queenslanders in that period and supplying buses throughout Queensland to multiple operators including 10 BusTech battery electric buses to Clarks in Logan.

“BusTech welcomes the investment in local bus manufacturing and looks forward to this continuing over the next decade as Queensland transitions to zero-emission buses for public fleets and in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympics.”

Quotes attributable to Rohan Webb, State Secretary of the Queensland and Northern Territory Branch of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU):

“From trains to buses, the AMWU has campaigned for many years to not only bring manufacturing back home but to also secure a pipeline of work, ensuring good, local jobs for many years to come.

“Australian manufacturing workers are some of the best in the world. This announcement is a huge vote of confidence in our local vehicle manufacturing sector and a testament to the Palaszczuk Government’s dedication to harnessing the expertise of Australian manufacturing workers.

“This step will not only support approximately 1000 jobs across the vehicle build and the supply chain, but will also enhance our sovereign capability, ensuring that Queenslanders have access to top-quality buses build in Queensland by Queenslanders for Queenslanders.”

ENDS

Media contact: Minister Bailey’s Office – 0466 620 176