Keolis Downer to roll out largest e-bus fleet in Queensland

Queensland’s Transport and Main Roads (TransLink Division) has entered into a partnership with Keolis Downer to roll out the state’s largest fleet of electric buses operating from the region’s first all-electric bus depot that uses 100% renewable energy.

The operation will be structured around nine routes that will include 16 zero emission buses, which services 60,000 residents, covering the region surrounding Brisbane’s Upper Bayside and the North Lakes suburbs, as well as other areas.

The new all-electric vehicles will be purchased from Australian bus manufacturer BusTech. Currently, diesel-powered buses operate on the network but by replacing them with green alternatives, it is estimated that 14, 000 tons of carbon emissions will have been saved by the end of the contract. This will help enhance quality-of-life for people living locally, reducing both noise and atmospheric pollution.

The existing North Lakes bus depot will be entirely converted to an electric charging facility where the future bus fleet will be maintained and charged.

Including bus purchase and the work needed to adapt the depot, the project will cost a total of €9.7 million (Aus$15.6 million) and will be jointly funded by the Queensland State Government and Keolis Downer.

The project reflects Queensland’s commitment to promoting the energy transition across the state, and its target of producing 50% of its energy using renewables sources by 2030.

Keolis Downer has been operating bus networks in Australia for a decade. It runs three on-demand transport services in Adelaide, Newcastle and Sydney, where it has also conducted tests of autonomous electric shuttles.