A new fleet of 630 buses will likely see more diesel-powered vehicles on Queensland roads as the state continues to gear up for the 2032 Olympics .
The government says they are ordering the new buses to replace ageing vehicles, boost reliability and improve accessibility statewide.
The order is part of the state’s Better Bus Build program to ensure supply, services and jobs.
The first of the new buses is expected to hit the road in the 2027-28 financial year, the government says.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg dismissed the previous government’s plans for an electric bus fleet.
“Labor’s plan to replace Queensland’s bus fleet was a fanciful pipedream with no grounding in reality,” he claimed.
“Their half-baked plan involved buying electric buses but no plans or money for the recharging facilities or additional depots to support the fleet expansion – in other words, all they were doing was buying big, expensive paperweights to block local streets.”
NEW BUSES PART OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SPENDING
Mickelberg says that apart from the buses, government is spending record amounts on transport infrastructure including The Wave (a heavy rail line on the Sunshine Coast), Mooloolah River Interchange, Gold Coast light rail extension, Gold Coast Surfer, and Bruce Highway upgrades funded 80:20 in partnership with the Commonwealth.
Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last says the state has “a proud manufacturing industry with the skills, capability and experience to play an important role in delivering our state’s future transport needs”.
“This is about backing local industry while building the infrastructure that will keep Queensland moving for decades to come.”
MP for Redlands Rebecca Young says as the Redlands region continues to grow, the mre buses will boost public transport connectivity.
“As the Redlands grows, transport connectivity is more important than ever,” she says.
“These new buses will support these enhanced connections; the more modern fleet will deliver a better experience for people getting around the Redlands or heading into Brisbane.”
MP for Capalaba Russell Field says the new buses means local jobs.
“Capalaba is home to much of the Redlands’ bus fleet with our local depot; these new buses will support jobs locally and across the state,” he says.
