Bussies – behind the wheel or behind a desk – are a proud lot: We take pride in what we offer as well as pride ourselves for maintaining an unwavering resilience not often replicated in other industries, especially when the chips are down.
By now you will have heard about major supplier BusTech entering voluntary administration this month. In the lead up to the official announcement, and subsequent to it, the BIC Secretariat and Council have raised the issue with governments to identify potential ways forward for BusTech, along with other suppliers impacted and the industry more broadly.
We’ve approached the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, senior advisors to the Minister overseeing the manufacturing portfolio, and burecrats responsible for Future Transport at the Department of Industry among others, including the unions. The infrastructure and transport senior officials group, who report to the Ministers, have established a Manufacturing Working Group led by NSW. Friends in government are helping with our advocacy push.
Added to this, the Victorian Government has announced the 2024-25 bus purchase ceiling prices at an increase of only 2% – significantly lower than the increased costs to produce a bus in the first instance. We have been working with the Victorian Government suppliers and operators to resolve the ceiling price issue now and into the future.
Yet, despite these and other daunting crises seemingly intent on splitting our ranks… we endure.
As the case may be, we are on the precipice of undertaking one of the biggest challenges the Bus Industry Confederation has ever embarked on solo: next month’s National Bus and Coach Show in Brisbane. Previously hosted alternately by New South Wales and Victoria, this year’s Show has been organised wholly by the BIC. With limited resources and time, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those bussies who have yet again shown their true stripes in supporting us and the industry to get across the finish line (almost)…
- Our state association friends: every offer to promote the Show to your members has made a real difference!
- Our Event Committee
- Our Show partners and exhibitors
- Our entire membership base
And not least, of course, those special individuals who continue to make their way into work each week, despite the real-world frazzles that are totally expected just two-and-a-half weeks away from the big event: the BIC Secretariat team and Council. You can always trust a bussie to rally to the side of a colleague or company in need, putting aside past hang-ups or rivalries to get the job done.
Needless to say, if you’ve not yet booked but plan to attend, please remember that while general admission is free, you still need to register (it’ll save you queuing up on the day). The very last of the discounted accommodation rates are also wrapping up, and so I urge you to look into this now while there’s still time. There are also a couple of exhibition spaces left, if you’re interesting in exhibiting with us.
We’re truly privileged to bring you the 2024 National Bus and Coach Show and we look forward to seeing you, your teams and visitors in Brisbane very, VERY soon.
Roz Chivers
Executive Director, BIC
