A re-elected ACT Labor Government will create up to 500 new jobs and take real action on climate change by transitioning Canberra’s public bus fleet to zero emissions.
This ambitious transition starts with a re-elected Government buying 90 battery electric buses in the next term, building a new zero-emissions bus depot in Canberra’s North and building electric bus infrastructure at the new Woden Depot.
Having already delivered on our commitment to power the city by 100% renewable electricity, Labor’s plan is to continue taking real action on climate change without putting financial pressure on Canberra households.
Our plan is to protect and create jobs, by transitioning every ACT public bus to a zero emissions by 2037 or earlier.
ACT Labor’s spokesperson for Transport Chris Steel said that Labor’s plan included the construction of the facilities needed to support a battery electric bus fleet.
“In this election, only Labor is delivering a plan to transition the ACT’s public buses to zero emissions that has factored in the infrastructure and skills required to support a fleet of electric buses,” Chris Steel said.
“The first 90 battery electric buses will replace ageing diesel and CNG fossil fuel buses and help grow Transport Canberra’s fleet.
“To support these vehicles, a re-elected Labor Government will build a fully-electric fourth bus depot that will cater for up to 150 zero emission buses with the flexibility to expand.
“In the interim, to house the growing zero emissions fleet, we will invest $13 million to build the new Woden Depot with charging infrastructure and workshop functionality to initially charge 50 zero emission buses.
“Under Labor the 20% of public transport trips that are taken on light rail are already zero emissions, and with this bus plan Labor will reduce Transport Canberra’s fleet emissions by over 17% in the next term alone.”
64 additional bus drivers will be recruited from 2024 to support the running of the expanded bus fleet, and 5 additional mechanics will also be hired.
Now more than ever we need a Government that has a proven plan to take action on climate change and ensure a better future for our city.
We are doing this because it’s the right thing to do.