Transperth prototype delivered as part of new bus contract

The first vehicle to be delivered under the State Government's new bus replacement contract with Volvo was officially handed over to Transperth today.

Accepting delivery of the prototype, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said it was tangible evidence of the Government's commitment to public transport.

"We expect to take production deliveries of this bus from August, following the expiration of the existing supply contract, which was signed by the previous Liberal-National coalition government in 1999," Mr Buswell said.

"Under the five-plus-five-year contract we signed late last year, a minimum of 65 buses will be delivered each year, at a total cost of up to $400million.

"This contract is now likely to be worth more following allocation of a further $40million for an extra 78 buses in the 2011-12 State Budget, which also included an increase of almost 30 per cent in bus operational funding (service kilometres) over the next five years."

Volvo is supplying the bus chassis - a change from the existing supplier, Mercedes - while the bodies will continue to be built at Volgren's manufacturing facility in Malaga.

"Currently, more than three-quarters of Transperth's 1,150 bus fleet is low-floor, accessible and air conditioned," the Minister said.

"This enables a seamless continuation of its program to modernise the fleet with new gas and diesel-powered buses, while the significant allocation of provision will allow it to expand.

"The new contract also means Transperth will remain an industry leader in terms of disability access and environmental friendliness as Volvo, a world leader in emissions technology, will be using EEV (enhanced environmental-friendly vehicle) diesel technology, the cleanest bus technology commercially available today."

Initially, the contract will supply diesel vehicles, which will maintain the fleet at half diesel-half CNG (compressed natural gas).  Beyond 2014, Transperth will look at a new CNG bus platform incorporating new engine technology in the Volvo chassis.