Buses World News
In brief: Worldwide montly news & informations about Buses, Busmakers, Passengers' and the Transport Industry
BUSES PURCHASING PROSPECTS * India
* Delhi - Govt aims to connect 125,000 villages with 80,000 mini-buses
--- The central government, in partnership with state governments, will purchase 80,000 mini-buses to connect 125,000 villages, two people aware of the matter said... The move, which could mean a windfall for mini-bus makers such as Tata Motors Ltd, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and Ashok Leyland Ltd, will also integrate the villages with the country’s economic mainstream, providing access to markets as well as better employment and education opportunities...
(Photo: An ordinary public transport bus, India) -- New Delhi, India - LiveMint, by Amrit Raj/Jyotika Sood - Jul 13 2016Labels: buses purchase prospects
SELF-DRIVING BUSES SERVICE * Japan - Company plans to use EZ10 electric shuttle produced by EasyMile
* Japan’s - DeNA says get on the self-driving bus
--- Japanese mobile internet company DeNA Co. on Thursday said it would start a transportation service in Japan that uses self-driving buses, its latest push into autonomous driving... DeNA will use the EZ10 electric shuttle produced by EasyMile, a French driverless technology startup, that it has dubbed the “Robot Shuttle” ... It will begin offering services next month at a large park partially managed by a shopping mall developer in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo... The four-meter-long (13-foot-long) Robot Shuttle can accommodate as many as 12 passengers and travel at up to 40 kilometers (25 miles), an hour, DeNA said. The vehicle uses sensors, cameras and a Global Positioning System to navigate and avoid obstacles... Driverless buses have been tried—or will soon be—in places such as the Swiss city of Sion and Trikala, Greece... Aiming to commercialize its driverless transportation service by 2020, DeNA has said it would seek to offer unmanned cabs to foreign travelers and local residents in areas of Japan where buses and trains aren’t available...
(PHOTO: ALEXANDER MARTIN/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - DeNA's driverless bus, the Robot Shuttle, in Tokyo on Thursday) -- Tokyo, Japan - The WSJ, by Alexander Martín - July 7, 2016Labels: autonomous buses, public transport services
BUSES PURCHASE * Australia: Tasmania's - ** Canada/USA: New Jersey's
* Tasmania / Australia - Update on $31 million plan to upgrade Tasmania’s Metro bus fleet
--- The State Government hopes to lure a bus manufacturer to set up shop here to build 100 new Metro Tasmania buses... Companies vying for a lucrative government contract to upgrade Tasmania’s ageing public bus fleet have taken part in an industry briefing... The State Budget included $31 million towards 100 modern buses and the State Government is keen for the buses to be built in Tasmania... Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said there had been strong interest in the contract... Metro Tasmania recently ordered seven new Scania articulated buses that would replace five 30-year-old articulated buses... Metro chief executive Stuart Wiggins said the bigger buses would improve the packed services...
(Picture: MATHEW FARRELL - Metro CEO Stuart Wiggins was on hand as Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding delivered an update on the $31 million project to upgrade the state’s public transport fleet) -- Hobart, Tasmania, Australia - The Mercury, by BLAIR RICHARD - July 6, 2016
* Manitoba / Canada - Winnipeg bus company hit by New Jersey money woes
--- A Winnipeg-based bus manufacturer says an order from New Jersey’s transit system has been put on hold following a state of emergency declared by Gov. Chris Christie due to funding problems... New Flyer Industries says its MCI subsidiary had received approval in May for the delivery of 142 motor coaches this year — part of an order for up to about 1,200 buses over six years... New Flyer says New Jersey Transit has advised the company, one of North America’s largest bus manufacturers, that there must be an orderly shutdown of all work for the bus contract...
(Photo by Tamara Forlanski / Global News) -- Winnipeg, Manitobba, Canada - Global News - July 11, 2016
Labels: buses purchasing
POMONA TRANSIT's * USA: Greener buses
* California - Route to a greener future includes zero-emission buses
--- Every day, passengers at Foothill Transit’s Pomona Transit Center see something unusual: battery-electric buses pausing at the station to charge between dropping off and picking up passengers. Since 2010, these buses have been moving passengers through the cities of Pomona and La Verne with no pollution and no fossil fuels... Foothill Transit is just one of many transit agencies throughout California making the transition to cleaner buses. California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), a key policy designed to prevent climate change, is creating real monetary value and helping to make zero-emission buses economically viable... The LCFS calls for reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels 10 percent by 2020. Transit operators that use lower carbon fuels — in Foothill Transit’s case, electricity and natural gas — are able to generate credits and sell them in the market. At the current market value, the credits generate enough income to equal anywhere between 60 to 80 percent of the annual cost of the electricity required to power the Foothill Transit buses... According to a 2016 American Lung Association study, the Los Angeles-Long Beach metro area still ranks No. 1 in ozone pollution nationally. The transportation sector is responsible for nearly 40 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, which create health impacts for all Californians... While the LCFS was intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s also proving to be a major tool in the fight to improve air quality. Through the use of cleaner vehicles, transit districts have helped the state save $1.6 billion in potential public health impacts...
(Photo: A Foothill Transit line 281 bus on Foothill Boulevard) -- San Gabriel. CAL, USA - San Gabriel Tribune, by John Boesel and Doran Barnes - 5 July 2016Labels: green buses, public transport USA
ELECTRIC BUSES * USA: Opening up its patents for free
* California - Why this electric bus startup it's doing? It’s part of a strategy to push back against fossil fuels
--- Proterra, a startup that makes all-electric buses, is releasing its patents on its fast-charging technology, a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric transportation... The company said on Tuesday that it would grant anyone royalty-free access to its patents covering its single-blade overhead charging design as well other related components. Proterra said it’s working with its suppliers to open up the charging design to third parties... Popple’s reasoning is similar to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s explanation for releasing his company’s patents two years ago. At the time, Musk said the decision was to encourage large automakers to bring more electric vehicles to market...
(Courtesy of Protera/Photo by Ned Ahrens - Proterra, an electric bus manufacturer, has released patents on its fast-charging technolog) --Burlingame, California, USA - Fortune, by Kirsten Korosec - June 28, 2016Labels: electric buses makers
DRIVERS' PAYMENT* USA: Bus drivers: Appallingly low wages
* DC - Time to eradicate sweatshops on wheels
--- Standards that working Americans have come to expect — and that have given millions a chance at better wages and working conditions — can be traced back to historic legislation enacted 78 years ago this month: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)... It is fitting that we mark the anniversary of the FLSA — few laws have done more to help establish a floor for working standards in America. And recent updates by the Obama Administration to extend the Act’s overtime protections to four million workers who were denied coverage because of outdated regulations are historic in their own right, and a cause for celebration... But this anniversary also marks another year that motorcoach drivers are exempt from overtime protections thanks to an indefensible — and in this case, unsafe — loophole in the law... Unlike 85 percent of the American workforce, intercity bus drivers are exempt from provisions in the FLSA, meaning they aren’t guaranteed time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours in a single week... There are more than 3,700 commercial motor coach and van companies in the United States — thanks to deregulation of the industry during the 1980s. This number of operators far surpasses what an under-resourced Federal Motor Safety Administration can monitor for compliance with federal rules, despite the agency’s best attempts to do so... Carriers notoriously pay their drivers appallingly low wages, which forces their employees to rely on second and third jobs just to pay their bills and put food on the table... It is time for Congress to end the motorcoach driver carve-out in the FLSA that has produced the deadly combination of low pay and driver fatigue on our highways...
(Photo: GREYHOUND-BUS-STATION) -- Washington, DC, USA - The Huffington Post - 27 June 2016
Labels: drivers' payment
THE BATTERY MIRACLE * USA: Study
* New York - Will transform both transportation and power generation
--- Low-cost, high-performance electric batteries are a game changer for the two key clean energy sectors: power generation and transportation. They enable much greater adoption and penetration of both renewable energy and electric vehicles — not just electric cars but electric buses and electric planes... Since lithium-ion batteries have only just crossed the key price point for enabling widespread usage in both sectors — $300 per kilowatt-hour — we are really just at the beginning of the battery-driven clean energy revolution... And as battery costs and performance continue to improve, they will find a growing use in the electricity storage market. Remember, the BNEF chart above is just for lithium-ion batteries for EVs... And these remarkable projections may actually be conservative because they don’t appear to include the likelihood that “used” or “second-life” EV batteries could be available in quantity with a warranty at a cost below $100/kwh in the coming years... Finally, the battery miracle is so transformational, it is driving NASA, Airbus, and many other plane manufacturers toward electrification of air travel...
New York, NY, USA - Climate Progress, by JOE ROMM - June 17, 2016Labels: battery makers, studies
TECHNO BUSES-STOP * Croatia: For export
* Croatia - New solar bus stops generate interest in Abu Dhabi
--- Energomobil company came to the idea to create a bus stop in line with the trends, technologically advanced and ecstatically attractive, functioning exclusively on solar power... They wondered why passengers waiting for a tram or bus couldn’t recharge their phones, go online, easing their wait considerably. Therefore they developed a new product, designed and produced in Croatia - the EasyBus solar bus station. The price of the station starts from 3,400 Euro + VAT, which is, Energomobil states, a very favourable price considering its energy independency. The construction is steel, seats are from Hpl laminates (a material resistant to all weather conditions), all electric equipment is from renown manufacturers of solar products and tempered glass on the back adds to the visual appearance and safety... The very maintenance of the station has been reduced to a minimum, while the electric equipment requires none, only an occasional battery change. As director of Energomobil Marija Mrvelj states, after the first presentation of solar stations in public, many have shown interest...
(Photo: The price of the station starts from 3,400 Euro, made of the most resistant materials, with almost no maintenance for the electric equipment) -- Croatia - Total Croatia News, by Igor Nobilo - June 17, 2016
Labels: buses stop
Alexander Dennis Ltd. buses * UK: Sales up 12 percent
* Scotland - Bus maker sees growth accelerate
--- Profits and sales at Scottish bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) accelerated last year... Strong foreign sales offset demand for rival “Boris Buses” for vehicle manufacturer Alexander Dennis, which has reported a jump in sales and profits... The company registered 1,228 new buses in in the year, up 12pc o the last time around, maintaining Alexander Dennis’s share of the UK market at 43pc, according to latest results filed at Companies House... Strong demand in provincial and retail markets helped offset what the company called a “difficult” London market, with the launch of its new “Enviro” boosting sales... Overseas markets boosted the company’s performance, with record international sales of £261m, up 58pc on the previous year, already a record... The company called this a “remarkable” achievement, especially in the face of currency headwinds caused by sterling’s strength...
(Photo: An Alexander Dennis technician at work) -- Falkird, Scotland, UK - The Telegraph, by Alan Tovey - 27 June 2016
Labels: busmakers news UK
New Flyer & Nova Buses * Canada: To be made in China
* British Columbia - Future B.C. Transit buses to be made in China
--- Premier Christy Clark and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a massive influx of $616 million into B.C.’s public transit infrastructure on Thursday, but what they failed to mention is where new buses will be manufactured. The answer? China... Unifor, the union representing Canadian auto workers, says they are disappointed to learn Canadian bus manufacturers New Flyer and Nova Bus were overlooked for a $35-million contract to construct 112 new buses, which has instead been given to Grande West Transportation... The Canadian-run Grande West manufactures Vicinity buses in China, including those currently used throughout the B.C. Transit region outside Metro Vancouver, and sells to many public transit markets across Canada... According to a May 10, 2016 release from the company, B.C. Transit awarded them a five-year contract worth over $35 million with an initial order of 41 buses for $13 million. An optional 71 buses are further included in the contract with the ability for units to be increased during the five-year term...
(Photo: B.C. Transit buses will be constructed in China, not Canada. Santa Bus) -- Vancouver, BC, Canada - Global News, by Jill Slattery - June 17, 2016Labels: busmakers news Canada, busmakers news China
YUTONG BUSES * Cuba: Market leader
* Havana - Chinese manufacturers grabbed strong foothold in Cuba
--- The International Convention and Exhibition of the Cuban Industry kicked off in Havana. 16 Chinese companies took part in the fair. And some of them have already taken a firm footholding in the country... At the heart of the exhibition center stand two brand new coaches from Yutong Group. The Chinese bus maker has become the market leader in Cuba, as millions of cubans take buses made by the company every day... "Over the past decade, Yutong Group has succeeded in developing in Cuba. This is not just our pride, but also the pride of Chinese brand and people," said Fang Mingliang, Yutong Group Cuban representative... Chinese manufacturers are becoming more influential around the world... Analysts say Cuba is in great need of almost all kinds of industrial products, thanks to decade-long economic blockade...
(Photo: Yutong Buses in Cuba) -- Havana, Cuba - CCTV.com, by Ming Tian - 21 June 2016Labels: busmakers news China
VANHOOL BUSES * Belgium: Open a factory in Kazakhstan
* Kyzylorda - Belgian VanHool Buses to be produced in
--- Kazakhstan plans to start production of VanHool buses based on the technology of the Belgian company which annually manufactures approximately 1,400 buses and coaches and as many as 4,000 commercial vehicles... The total value of the agreement on bus construction, which will be based in Kyzylorda region, is 10 million euro (US$11.3 million) and will be financed by both parties... Kazakh participation will represent one quarter of the total production, said Baikonur head Temirkhan Kenzhebayev. The operation is expected to attract existing car building and automobile manufacturers, as well as plastic and textile production companies. Kazakhstan’s share in the production process is expected to increase after the launch of the Kyzylorda glass factory... Kenzhebayev added the project could enhance the level of interest of European and American markets to import components made of high-quality Kazakh glass...
(Photo credit: vanhool.be) -- Brussels, Belgium - The Astana Times - 22 JUNE 2016Labels: busmakers news Europe, busmakers news worldwide
MARI-BUS * Hungary: Searching an own market for buses
* Budapest - Hungarian made buses tendering for mayor public transport
--- Székesfehérvár-based bus manufacturing company Ikarus, could participate in building the 150 buses necessary to substitute Budapest’s metro line 3 during its renovation. While a decision is yet to be made by the Budapest municipal assembly, plans are that the factory will produce 30 buses in the framework of the cooperation project... The capital called two tenders in late August to purchase a sufficient number of buses to substitute traffic on Budapest’s busiest subway line. The first of these was won by Polish firm Solaris, while Hungarian MABI-BUS Kft. won the second with its diesel model MODULO M168d... On Wednesday, the government is expected to announce the national bus manufacturing strategy, which is expected to have a major impact on the re-industrialisation of Hungary, an objective pursued by the Orbán government, and suppliers... Recently, the Hungarian company manufactured 20 midi-buses, of which there is a rapidly expanding European market, for the Budapest public transport company BKV...
(Photo: Zoltán Máthé/MNO) -- Budapest, Hungary - Hungary Today - 9 June 2016Labels: busmakers news worldwide
WOW!!! Now: ... 3D-printed buses * USA: They're are self-driving, and re-usable
* Arizona - Olli, the autonomous mini-bus that can be manufactured in a few hours
--- After introducing the world’s first-ever 3D-printed car, Arizona-based startup Local Motors is pushing a new mode of public transport system onto the US roads – 3D-printed buses that are self-driving, and re-usable... The 12-seater mini-bus, called Olli, can be booked through mobile apps. More interestingly, riders can customize Olli ride to their requirements. Once done, they can have the mini-bus in around 10 hours’ time; the time required to 3D-print and assemble the vehicles from company’s micro-factories. The manufacturers say the regulations don’t impose any restriction to this 3D-printed mini-bus for making its debut run... According to the manufacturers, the technology is more than ready for its commercial performance, and the real complexity now lies in ‘fielding’ Olli, i.e. to roll out the vehicle in a matter of hours to the riders. The entire process of 3D-printing the mini-bus parts gets completed in 10 hours, and it takes another one hour for its assembling... Micro-factories for the production of Olli are currently setup in Washington, and that’s where Olli will be making its debut. The introductory event took place in National Harbor, Washington D.C. on Thursday. Trial runs are expected to be carried out in the months ahead, and it will be followed by the expansion to cities like Las Vegas and Miami... The company is also eyeing global expansion to cities like Berlin, Copenhagen and Canberra. Local Motors John Rogers shares the view that over 100 micro-factories will have to be setup around the globe for the production of Olli mini-bus...
(Photo: The technology used in Olli is IBM’s supercomputer platform called Watson. Olli also becomes the first to adopt the car-focused cognitive learning platform from IBM) -- Phoenix, AZ. USA - Device Magazine, by Sanjeev Ramachandran - June 20, 2016
Labels: busmakers news USA, techno buses
--- Every day, passengers at Foothill Transit’s Pomona Transit Center see something unusual: battery-electric buses pausing at the station to charge between dropping off and picking up passengers. Since 2010, these buses have been moving passengers through the cities of Pomona and La Verne with no pollution and no fossil fuels... Foothill Transit is just one of many transit agencies throughout California making the transition to cleaner buses. California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), a key policy designed to prevent climate change, is creating real monetary value and helping to make zero-emission buses economically viable... The LCFS calls for reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels 10 percent by 2020. Transit operators that use lower carbon fuels — in Foothill Transit’s case, electricity and natural gas — are able to generate credits and sell them in the market. At the current market value, the credits generate enough income to equal anywhere between 60 to 80 percent of the annual cost of the electricity required to power the Foothill Transit buses... According to a 2016 American Lung Association study, the Los Angeles-Long Beach metro area still ranks No. 1 in ozone pollution nationally. The transportation sector is responsible for nearly 40 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, which create health impacts for all Californians... While the LCFS was intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s also proving to be a major tool in the fight to improve air quality. Through the use of cleaner vehicles, transit districts have helped the state save $1.6 billion in potential public health impacts... 
