Bright spark buses

WITH reduced emissions and less sound pollution, electric buses are the perfect mode of transport for the Noosa biosphere and travellers on route 627 will be the first to try the new technology.
Noosa Mayor Noel Playford has announced a six-month trial of electric buses along route 627 that runs between Tewantin and Sunshine Beach, subject to a formal agreement between Noosa Council and TransLink.
The trial will start later this year and follows the completion of a jointly funded pre-feasibility study that indicates a live trial should go ahead.
Mayor Playford said the initiative could be the start of a major change in public transport in Noosa.
“From the introduction of public transport in Noosa not that long ago, we have talked about smaller buses designed with a Noosa look and feel that would be a point of difference in marketing terms,” he said.
“With the rapid advances in battery technology, we can now look forward to the possibility of environmentally-friendly buses on our short local routes.
“And, working with TransLink, if we can find a way to make them free to passengers, increased usage will reduce congestion and save huge infrastructure costs at many of our major intersections.”
Council funding of $550,000 for the trial has come from the public transport levy.
The buses chosen for the trial are smaller than the current Sunbus operated ones, but will still have a 60-passenger capacity.