Transit Systems amps up electric bus fleet with largest depot electrification in Australia

Sydney commuters are seeing more green power on urban streets, with Transit Systems currently operating 15 electric buses across the Inner West, which has led to the creation of the largest electrified depot in Australia.

Taking the successful electric pilot programs to scale has required significant planning and infrastructure works to ensure the grid and electrical network can cope with the charging and energy storage needs, according to Clint Feuerherdt, CEO of SeaLink Travel Group, which owns Transit Systems.

“With responsibility for transporting over 207 million passengers each year, we strive to not just meet the community’s needs today, but ensure we future-proof our solutions with sustainable outcomes that will benefit us all tomorrow.

“Part of achieving this today has been our active participation in trials of new technology and creating relationships with key stakeholders to ensure we have the operational experience that doesn’t just adapt, but leads the market,” he said.

Transit Systems has worked with Transport for NSW as well as key industry partners including Zenobē and Transgrid, with national funding also injected into the construction project from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), alongside the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CFEC).

Zenobē Co-Founder and Director Steven Meersman said they are proud to partner with Transit Systems.

“We have proudly worked together, to be able to deliver the next step by providing expert grid management with our joint venture partners Transgrid, along with Zenobē’s innovative software and end-of-life battery solutions.

“The combination of Transit Systems global transport experience with our battery know-how and proprietary software solutions showcases the pathway to more zero emission transport solutions in Australia, and across the world.

“This hallmark collaboration demonstrates what is possible in the rollout of greener public transport by bringing together expertise from energy and transport sector, and we’re excited to share the outcomes and learnings as we progress with the wider industry,” he said.

Mr Feuerherdt added it is a passion for innovation and sustainability driving the industry forward.

“We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with our industry partners and Government stakeholders to get these electric buses from vision to reality – it is a turning point for delivering more sustainable transport on a mass scale,” he said.

As part of this agreement, 40 new electric buses have been ordered by Transit Systems and will join the 15 electric buses already in service.

The remaining buses will arrive progressively over the year, locally finished with windscreens, mirrors, grab bars and seating, before heading to the Leichhardt depot.

“Our customers are telling us they feel better on an electric bus – and that’s really important to us because it means sustainability isn’t just a trend or catch phrase - it’s a real vision that we can all connect on and work towards.

“For our employees, there’s a joy in knowing that they are contributing to our environmental economy each and every day and there’s certainly interest among our frontline staff to take the additional electric bus training courses and drive an electric vehicle,” he said.