The contract, worth approximately $400 million (AUD) will enable the PTA to update and modernise its bus fleet in the Perth metropolitan area. The contract is for a five year term with an option to extend for a further five years.
Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said deliveries under the new contract will commence in July next year. The previous PTA contract set up by the Liberal National coalition government in 1999, which delivered 919 Mercedes Benz low floor buses, ends in June 2011.
“Currently, over 75% of the Transperth bus fleet is low-floor accessible and air conditioned,” Mr O’Brien said. “The new contract with Volvo will ensure the fleet remains at the forefront of the industry in terms of disability access and environmental friendliness. Importantly, it will use the EEV diesel technology, the cleanest bus technology commercially available today,” he said.
Volvo is an industry leader in emission technology, with its Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicles (EEV) at the cutting edge of emission technology worldwide. They achieve significantly reduced levels of both greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter. The technology also results in enhanced fuel efficiency.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Volvo Bus to develop a long-term, strategic relationship with the PTA in Perth”, says David Mead, General Manager Volvo Bus Australia.
“The contract will initially use a mix of Volvo’s B7RLE rigid and B12BLEA articulated buses. Both models are well proven in the Australian market and continue to set the industry standard for fuel efficiency, driveability and lifecycle costs. Coupled with our strong dealer partner, Truck Centre WA, we look forward to supporting the operators within the PTA over the next 10 years and beyond.”
Truck Centre WA has been a partnered with Volvo for more than 40 years and employs more than 230 staff across its network. As a result of the announcement, Truck Centre plan to set up a specialised and dedicated bus service team in Perth to support the PTA.
David Mead, Robyn Thomson (Volvo Bus National Contract Manager) and Rune Lundberg (Volvo Bus Senior Vice President Business Region International) were on hand in Perth for the announcement today with the Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien. Representatives from Volgren Australia and Truck Centre WA also attended.
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