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The 2022 federal election results are final and the 47th Parliament has been voted in by Australians. There is a diverse mix of seats in both the lower and upper houses. In this column we take a closer look at the politics and pollies likely to effect the bus industry in this term of government. The BIC will continue with a full advocacy program that will focus on ensuring a safe and sustainable transition to zero emission buses and addressing skills and workforce shortages. Other areas of focus include removing barriers to local manufacturing and innovation, minimising the negative impacts

Recruitment and retention in the bus and coach industry The biggest issue confronting all industries across the country and no less the bus and coach industry, is recruitment and retention. Maintaining a capable workforce at all levels (whether in bus operations or manufacturing), is increasingly becoming difficult especially whilst the industry also grapples with the transition to zero emissions. What the industry faces today is: a shortage of drivers and manufacturing workers a limited pool of bus and coach drivers and apprentices coming into the industry as unemployment is at an all-time low a greater demand for secure work  a

Where are all the passengers? In last month’s column we looked at the bus-stats over a 2-year analysis of what is on our roads today. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there has been a 5% drop in the number of registered buses and coaches on our roads from January 2019 to January 2021. We also found in our research that coach builders suffered a dramatic downturn in new coach deliveries – 74% since 2019. New route buses were also down by 30% whilst new school and charter buses remained ‘relatively’ stable. There is no doubt that trends in

Where are all the buses? In the April edition of the View from Canberra, we discuss the economic vibrancy of Australia and take a look at some of the stats of industry, comparing where we were in 2019 and where we landed in 2021.A few of the states/territories are coming up to some significant fleet replacement milestones and this should see increased demand for buses for the route and school sectors. The question is – how will all this fit with the future procurement of ZEB in this decade and through to 2050? The bus industry will likely experience market

What are we doing about ‘zero’? The past several months has seen escalated ‘disruption’ in our industry by the various announcements coming out of state/territory governments in their mission to reach for ‘zero’ – some as early as 2030. From a politician’s perspective, it is obviously a no-brainer that public transport will be the first (and easiest?) transport mode on which governments can hang their caps. The bus industry has an outstanding record as early adopters of ‘green’ technology; and yet we are the smallest fleet on the road compared with cars and trucks, we have the lowest per passenger

In this edition, we take a look at what industrial relations changes are we likely to be canvassed in the upcoming federal election. It is still a few months away from the next federal election, but the ALP Opposition is clearly focused on industrial relations policy, as a key election issue. The ALP claims that it is on the side of workers and that workers will benefit from more job security, better pay and a fairer industrial relations system under an Albanese Government – if elected. The coalition government are yet to respond to the ALPs announcements or provide any

Update from the Bus Industry Confederation   We know you are busy and may not get around to touching base with our monthly e-bulletin. Why not engage with us by linking up with us and staying informed on what we are doing for industry on LinkedIn   In this edition of the National Bus & Coach Bulletin we launch registrations for the upcoming Bus Industry Summit 1st and 2nd March 2022. We provide an update on our national agenda to ensure safety comes first as Industry transitions to ZERO and we invite you to ‘have your say’. APTIA provides an overview on

In this edition of the View from Canberra, the secretariat takes a look at the year that was in 2021…and what a year! It is our lot in life at the BIC to instruct governments on what was, what is and what will be. The year that was in 2021 saw accelerated activity coming out of the Federal Department of Infrastructure & Transport, the Office of Road Safety, the National Transport Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The first half of 2021 saw several door-stopper regulatory impact statements on national law reform and legislative review of heavy vehicle law,