The Minns Labor Government continues to build up Sydney's electric bus fleet, with the purchase of 151 more battery electric buses.
The latest investment brings to 921 the new buses Labor has purchased since the March 2023 election after inheriting an ageing fleet from the Liberal-National government which went two years without buying a single bus during their final term in office.
The 151 new battery electric buses will surpass the Government's 50% target for local manufacturing content and be delivered by Australian bus manufacturers, including Custom Denning based in St Marys in Western Sydney.
The new electric buses will go to the Leichardt and Kingsgrove bus depots that are being converted for the future, sustainable fleet.
Over the long-term, the Zero Emission Buses program will transition NSW's 8,000-plus diesel and gas buses to zero emissions vehicles.
Eleven existing Sydney bus depots are being converted, with a new battery electric depot being built at Macquarie Park as part of the expansion.
There are more than 220 battery electric buses already in operation in Greater Sydney, including three in Newcastle, with around 1,700 battery electric buses anticipated to be in service on Sydney roads by 2028.
The bus driver shortage blew out past 500 under the former government but is being systematically addressed by the Minns Labor Government through a recruitment campaign and training assistance. There is still work to be done, but we've reduced vacancies by 375 to 125 as of last week.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"This latest investment in new buses has us on an express route to 1000 new buses since Labor came to government.
"The build up of zero emission buses is happening in a staged and sustainable way, with the obvious benefits for the environment and air quality complemented by enhanced passenger comfort levels on these quieter, smoother buses.
"Getting more buses on the road in a timely manner is our approach which is in stark contrast to the former government which did not buy a single articulated bus in 12 years and half their first purchase of electric buses were wholly made overseas."
