en.Wedoany.com Reported - Two 18-meter electric articulated buses have been completed at Volgren's manufacturing facility in Malaga, Western Australia, and are expected to enter passenger service on routes in Perth's northern suburbs in August, with road testing set to begin soon.
These two buses are the first of their kind manufactured in Australia and are part of the Cook Government's "Made in WA" initiative, which aims to diversify the state's economy through local manufacturing and job creation. The articulated buses are approximately 6 meters longer than standard Transperth buses and can carry around 105 passengers (including seated and standing positions), compared to about 80 for standard buses. They can be fully charged in approximately four hours and will join Transperth's growing electric bus fleet, which currently comprises over 150 electric buses, with around 11 new electric buses entering service each month.
The Western Australian Government stated that Volgren's Malaga facility supports over 100 local jobs, including 15 apprenticeships, and is dedicated to producing pure electric buses for the state's public transport network. Premier Roger Cook said the project demonstrates the government's commitment to developing local manufacturing and is one of the ways the government prioritizes diversifying Western Australia's economy. By manufacturing more products locally and cultivating a skilled workforce, Western Australia can maintain its status as the nation's strongest economy. He added that the Malaga facility supports over 100 local jobs, including 15 apprentices, who are working to make the Transperth fleet greener and be part of the energy transition.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said these buses represent another step in the state's transition to electric public transport, and Western Australia is proud to lead the nation in launching the first locally manufactured electric articulated buses. She noted that the two new buses expand the growing electric bus fleet, and local manufacturing of electric buses is a key part of the government's plan to diversify the economy and create long-term jobs for Western Australians. This transition provides a greener, cleaner public transport network for the future while keeping the economy strong.
This launch follows a joint funding commitment of AUD 250 million by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government to deliver the first 130 electric buses, along with supporting charging infrastructure and bus depot upgrades. The Western Australian Government stated that charging infrastructure upgrades at the Malaga depot and Elizabeth Quay bus station have been completed, while work continues on a new electric bus depot in Bayswater and upgrades at depots in Karrinyup and Jandakot. The government also said that Transperth's diesel and compressed natural gas bus fleet will be progressively retired as vehicles reach the end of their service life, and since the last diesel bus was manufactured over a year ago, every new vehicle added to the fleet has been a locally manufactured electric bus.
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