Media Release – Fuel prioritisation needed now to maintain Australia’s bus timetables
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) today welcomes the Federal Government’s recent announcement to reduce the fuel excise and road user charge, recognising it as a timely and practical measure that will provide much needed relief across the transport sector.
BIC Executive Director, Varenya Mohan-Ram, said the announcement offers crucial support for an industry that underpins Australia’s public transport network. “With more than 48,000 buses registered nationally and buses carrying 53% of all public transport passengers, this relief goes directly to the heart of the system Australians rely on every day,” Mr Mohan-Ram said.
This decision comes at a critical time for the bus industry, which continues to face sustained pressure from rising operational costs, particularly in fuel. With the industry consuming 6.13 million litres of diesel each day to keep communities connected, any reduction in fuel related costs has a direct and meaningful impact on operators, workforce stability, and service delivery.
The reduction in fuel excise and road user charges will improve cash flow for operators, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to maintain services, invest in their workforce, and continue supporting local economies.
Importantly, buses play a vital role in Australia’s transport ecosystem. They are one of the most efficient and accessible modes of moving large numbers of people, reducing congestion, and supporting regional and metropolitan connectivity. Ensuring the financial sustainability of bus operators is essential to maintaining these critical services.
Mr Mohan-Ram said the Government’s decision demonstrates a strong understanding of the essential role buses play. “Buses do more than move people. They connect communities, take children to school, allow the elderly to attend medical appointment, support regional mobility, and ensure equitable access to education, employment, and health services. Supporting the viability of bus operators is supporting the wellbeing of communities nationwide.”
The Confederation acknowledges the Government’s responsiveness to the challenges facing the sector and its willingness to act decisively. This announcement demonstrates a clear understanding of the pressures on transport operators and the importance of practical, immediate support.
BIC requires the Government to respond to the bus industry call for fuel prioritisation to allow the industry to continue on the timetables it operates at the moment.
Mr Mohan-Ram reinforced the need for ongoing collaboration. “We welcome this announcement, but continued engagement and a coordinated approach to fuel prioritisation remain critical to keeping services reliable and communities connected,” he said. BIC looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the Government to ensure long-term policy settings that support the transition to a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient transport future.
ENDS
