Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan

Western Australia Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti

Local Business To Help Build Next Generation Of Transperth Buses

Victor P Taffa

• Malaga-based company, Volgren to fit-out 900 Transperth buses over next 10 years
• Volvo Bus Australia to supply engines and chassis for Transperth buses
• Partnership of Volvo/Volgren to keep bus body and interior manufacturing in Perth
• Jobs secured for about 160 workers throughout the supply chain
• Buses to service future METRONET railway stations in coming years

Next generation of Transperth buses will hit local streets later this year, after the State Government entered into a new contract to deliver 900 new buses over the next decade.

“METRONET is about more than just building railway lines and major infrastructure, it’s also about ensuring public transport is an efficient and comfortable way to get around.” Premier Mark McGowan said.

“This contract is an excellent example of local business working together with big players, combining Western Australian suppliers and international expertise to create the best possible product for our local bus market, securing local jobs and opportunities.”

$549 Million contract has been awarded to Volvo Australia which will use Malaga-based company, Volgren to fit-out the new fleet of buses.

New buses will replace those reaching the end of their useful life, and to expand the fleet as METRONET projects come on-line.

“900 buses to be built by Volvo Australia and Volgren as part of this contract will be on our network for decades, which is why a trusted supplier is vital to the success of the fleet.” Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said.

“Capacity to upgrade to new, greener technologies in the future if such tech becomes competitive is yet another way, we’re futureproofing our transport network in Western Australia.”

Modern, aluminium, low-floor diesel buses will have USB charging points, meet Euro6 emissions standards and will be fully accessible.

Volvo also outlined its potential to supply alternate technologies including hybrid and full electric buses, which may be considered for trial by the Public Transport Authority in the future if such technologies are considered viable for Perth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In partnership with local manufacturer Volgren, Volvo will deliver 8 new buses a month for the next decade under the milestone agreement.

Bus chassis will be built at Volvo’s headquarters in Sweden, before being delivered to Volgren. The local manufacturer will then build the bus body and fit-out the vehicles to be ready for service.

Contract secures the jobs of 81 local Volgren employees, and a further 80 throughout the local supply chain. Under the new contract, Volgren also plan on increasing local fabrication and securing a local sub component manufacturer.