By Matthew Sims
Two hydrogen-powered buses will soon be seen driving around Footscray, Yarraville, Newport and Williamstown, as part of the state government’s $20 million Zero Emissions Bus Trial.
Working with Transit Systems, the state government has planned to roll out the two hydrogen fuel cell buses and nine further electric buses from its Footscray depot from next March, adding to the 41 electric buses already announced.
Operating on 15 school services and 26 routes across Footscray, Sunshine, Yarraville, Newport, Melton and Williamstown, the Transit Systems would join five other bus operators selected to trial electric buses on exisitng bus routes in Melbourne, with the first trial buses due to enter the state’s public transport network in August.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the new hydrogen-powered buses would be an investment in greener technology.
“These Victorian-first hydrogen fuel cell buses will help us drive down pollution and remove noisy diesel buses from the public network for good,” he said.
Transit Systems operating officer Greg Balkin said the trial program would deliver a “smoother, quieter and cleaner network” for those in Melbourne’s west.
Bus network Kinetic has rolled out the first two electric buses of its fleet, with an average of one electric bus to be rolled out every month over the next three years.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said he was keen to see the buses out and about in Maribyrnong.
“We know how important the move to renewable energy sources is, the demand for cleaner air, and what that means for our children and grandchildren,” he said.
“We are excited to see routes in Footscray and Yarraville as part of the trial and look forward to seeing the first of the new ‘green’ bus fleet running on cleaner fuels on our roads.
“Maribyrnong City Council is also committed to green-focused vehicle goals as part of 96 high level goals outlined in the Climate Emergency Action Plan.”
