11/4/01
The State Government today announced that the world's best compressed natural gas engine technology was now part of the Transperth bus fleet.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Michelle Roberts said five new CNG-powered buses from Mercedes-Benz would enter the service shortly.
"This Government is committed to the ongoing process of using and assessing cleaner, more environmentally-friendly fuels until hydrogen fuel cell buses become available for commercial use," Mrs Roberts said.
The Minister said CNG powered buses have among the lowest levels of smog emissions in the world.
"It is essential from an environmental point of view that all possible fuels for the State's public transport are examined objectively, to help ensure the long-term quality of the air we breathe," she said.
Inspecting the five buses today, Mrs Roberts said there were currently 52 compressed natural gas buses in service as part of Transperth's fleet of 935 buses, but the new buses were at the leading edge of CNG engine technology.
"Bringing these buses into service provides an opportunity to evaluate dedicated CNG-powered buses against the diesel-powered buses currently entering the fleet under Transperth's fleet replacement program, particularly in terms of emissions," the Minister said.
Mrs Roberts said the previous Government was committed to the purchase of a further 20 gas-powered buses should compressed natural gas meet emission requirements.
"If the trials are successful then this Government plans on doubling that order to 40, bringing the total number of gas buses entering the service to 45," she said.
The additional costs of purchasing the first five gas buses are being partially funded by the Australian Greenhouse Office under the Federal Government's Alternative Fuels Conversion Program.
"The new CNG buses cost around $50,000 more per unit than diesel buses, however operational savings will offset this," Mrs Roberts said.
"We will be seeking further funding to meet the additional capital costs of the buses under the Alternative Fuels Conversion Program."
Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6613
