A major roll out of zero and low emission buses across Melbourne will soon get underway with the new buses to have their home in the western suburbs.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering 36 electric buses by mid-2025 through its partnership with Kinetic, with the Sunshine West Depot introducing five electric buses in the coming months.

The Sunshine West Depot will also be upgraded to house and charge 24 electric buses and the Heatherton Depot upgraded to house and charge 12 electric buses.

Victoria’s first two electric bus depots will include undercover parking bays and major electrical infrastructure to increase power capacity to charge buses. Solar panels will be installed to further reduce the carbon footprint of the depots. When complete, more than 30 per cent of the franchise bus fleets at the two depots will be zero emissions buses.

The electric buses will be deployed across 11 routes operated from Sunshine West including from Sunshine to the CBD and to Caroline Springs; from Garden City and Altona North to Queen Victoria Market; from Yarraville to Highpoint Shopping Centre; and from Fisherman’s Bend to the CBD.

Electric buses will also run on routes from Heatherton depot to take passengers from Southland Shopping Centre to St Kilda Station; Brighton to Elsternwick Station via the Alfred Hospital; and Gardenvale to Toorak Station route via the Alfred Hospital.

In addition, 49 hybrid buses will enter service across Melbourne including on Orbital bus routes 901, 902 and 903 over the next eighteen months, with technology installed to automatically run on the electric power only in dining precincts to reduce fuel emissions and noise.

Victorians will have the chance to get involved in transition to zero emissions transport by voting on what the new electric buses will look like. The poll, which can be accessed from today on the PTV website, has three designs to choose from and is open until midnight, Friday 18 March: http://ptv.vic.gov.au/zero-emission-buses

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

“The roll out of electric and hybrid buses is starting from their new home in the western suburbs before expanding across Melbourne, introducing zero and low emissions buses to 65 per cent of Kinetic’s franchise fleet.”

“These buses will benefit the entire community – delivering environmental benefits and providing a smoother and quieter ride for passengers.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“The new zero emission buses introduced by Kinetic will cover a third of Melbourne’s bus network – that’s a win for locals and a win the environment as we head towards our target of halving emissions by 2030.”

Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall

“The Sunshine West bus depot will be the hub for the first electric buses in the west, delivering cleaner and greener transport options across the region.”

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly

“Not only are electric buses positive for the environment – passengers can also look forward to a smoother, quieter and more comfortable ride.”