Transport Minister Stephan Knoll has this morning announced a new bus contract with joint venture partners Scania Group and Precision Buses to deliver 340 new buses onto our network
This is a big step forward in
* Modernising our bus fleet to improve the customer experience.
*Growing 50 new jobs here in SA
*Bringing on board new technology as it becomes available
*Delivering our first Hybrid diesel electric bus in 2020
* All whilst delivering better value for taxpayers than the previos tender

I thought 1900 (the Dennis) was our first diesel Hybrid bus, not that it’s been on the road for many months.
And not forgetting those 2 electric buses that spent many months at Mile End, never hit the road, and then disappeared.
Good to hear Precision have got the contract, especially from an SA employment point of view.

And something really needs to be done about removing the big sign on the Richmond Road fence of Mile End depot. A painting of an NL202, a large SA Government logo, proclaiming the arrival of the new greener CNG buses. A massive sign that must’ve been there for 20 years that’s so out of date. Perhaps a new one proclaiming the arrival of the electric buses or the hybrids?

TT wrote:I thought 1900 (the Dennis) was our first diesel Hybrid bus, not that it’s been on the road for many months.
And not forgetting those 2 electric buses that spent many months at Mile End, never hit the road, and then disappeared.
Good to hear Precision have got the contract, especially from an SA employment point of view.

Why has 1900 been out of action for so long? I saw it sitting by the fence at Mile End Depot last week?

It was on track 1 for many months and got shifted to the fence line when all the extra buses were in the ME yard for the tram subs several weeks ago. No idea why it’s been out of service for so long, I reckon over a year.

Maybe someone could approach the staff at Mile End Depot and see if that sign could even be preserved? Seems like a worthy bit of signage to save.

290 rigid buses will be built locally by Precision Buses and 50 artics will be built interstate over the 10 years.

Bus-1809 wrote:Maybe someone could approach the staff at Mile End Depot and see if that sign could even be preserved? Seems like a worthy bit of signage to save.

The mural is painted onto a brick wall, certainly not the easiest to preserve.

The Phonj wrote:

Bus-1809 wrote:Maybe someone could approach the staff at Mile End Depot and see if that sign could even be preserved? Seems like a worthy bit of signage to save.

The mural is painted onto a brick wall, certainly not the easiest to preserve.

Clear coat it. Quick, simple, effective.

Ah, was not aware of that, Phonj!

As indicated in the handout when news of this new contract with Precision buses was announced by Stephan Knoll last year-these new buses have a new colour scheme.
Video of some of these new buses at Precision Buses factory at Edinburgh.Look up Steven Marshalls Facebook page and amongst others there is a video of production at the factory and you can see this new livery.

^^First new buses roll off local production line There is also a bus for what looks to be Transport Canberra in the video.

The first of the new Scania Bustechs had a trial run this afternoon. Channel 9 news has footage of it tonight at 600pm.

Here's hoping driver comfort has been addressed. Cooling for summer, heating for winter. Not too much to ask.

I believe I saw this bus this afternoon working a 4.34pm W91 ex St Marys.

nscaler69 wrote:I believe I saw this bus this afternoon working a 4.34pm W91 ex St Marys.

Both 1046 and 1047 were out in traffic today.