New buses charge in on Noosa route

NOOSA will soon be the first in the state to see Electronic Buses on roads, with a six-month trial set for the end of the year.
The trial is the result of collaboration between TransLink and Noosa Council, who worked together on a pre-feasibility study which found electric buses are a cheaper public transport option compared to diesel buses when deployed on short-haul routes.
During the trial, up to three 10-metre, 29-seater Optare electric buses will replace the conventional diesel 12.5m buses on Noosa’s busy 627 route between Tewantin and Sunshine Beach.
Noosa mayor Noel Playford said the electric buses offered a unique and marketable public transport offering for the region.
“These electric buses, in distinct green livery, provide a novel talking point, one that offers potential marketing opportunities and could encourage greater public transport patronage, which, long-term, may assist in reducing congestion,” Cr Playford said.
“Recent advances in battery technology make this innovative transport option well worth investigating further.”
Cr Playford said besides the anticipated cost savings and marketing gains, the buses will also deliver environmental benefits.
“They can be recharged with renewable energy and given that they offer reduced emissions, they represent a cleaner, greener alternative to diesel,” Cr Playford said.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the trial of electric buses is an exciting innovation for public transport in Queensland.
“It’s great to see Noosa leading the way in Queensland on greener, more sustainable transport options,” Ms Trad said.
While TransLink will be collecting and analysing operational data on the performance of these buses, Ms Trad encouraged commuters to trial the buses and voice their reviews on the new service.