Press release

Volvo delivers first B7RLE to Transperth

2011-06-21

Volvo Bus Australia

Volvo Bus Australia has officially handed over the first bus in the 650 low floor city bus contract with the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA). Volvo will provide the units together with Volgren Australia who will manufacture the bus bodies at its facility in Malaga, WA.

The contract was signed late last year and worth approximately $400million, will enable the PTA to update and further modernise its bus fleet in the Perth metropolitan area. The contract is currently for a five year term with an option to extend for a further five years.

Accepting delivery of the prototype Volvo B7RLE, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said it was tangible evidence of the West Australia Government’s commitment to public transport.

“Currently, over 75% of the Transperth bus fleet is low-floor accessible and air conditioned,” Mr Buswell said.

“The new buses will ensure that Transperth remains at the forefront of the industry in terms of disability access and environmental friendliness as Volvo, a world leader in emissions technology, will use the EEV (enhanced environmental-friendly vehicle) diesel technology, the cleanest bus technology commercially available today,” he said.

The Minister also announced that the Contract is now likely to be worth more following allocation of a further $40million in the recent budget which will result in an annual increase in the bus deliveries over the initial period of the contract.

“The handover of the first Volvo B7RLE is the beginning of is a what will be a long-term, strategic relationship with the PTA in Perth”, said David Mead, Director – Asia Pacific Region, Volvo Bus Corporation.

“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 partner with Volvo for more than 40 years and employs more than 230 staff across its network. Truck Centre has established a specialised and dedicated bus service team in Perth to support the PTA.

David Mead, Peter Duncan (General Manager Volvo Bus Australia), Robyn Thomson (Volvo Bus National Contract Manager) and Morgan Karlsson (Volvo Bus Contract and Technical Support Manager – WA) were on hand in Perth for the handover of the first Volvo B7LRE to the Minister for Transport, Troy Buswell. Representatives from Volgren Australia and Truck Centre WA also attended.

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