The electric vehicles have provided a quieter, greener, and more comfortable journey over almost 2 million kilometres across 16 metropolitan routes, with on average one new bus hitting the network every month.
The vehicles are among an initial commitment of 36 new electric buses Kinetic is introducing across Melbourne by mid-2025 as the state targets achieving net zero emissions by 2045.
They are powered by electric depot facilities in Sunshine West and Heatherton which underwent significant electrification and infrastructure upgrades within 12 months of Kinetic commencing operation of the Metropolitan Bus Franchise (MBF).
The MBF encompasses a third of Melbourne’s public bus network with 1,300 people and over 530 buses moving over 20 million people across 50 bus routes.
Kinetic has also elevated the number of female drivers behind the state’s transport industry, tripling the number of women since taking custodianship of the franchise in 2022.
Kinetic Co-CEO Michael Sewards said it was all about modernising the city’s bus experience.
“This is about getting more people out of cars and onto public transport, and here we are two years later and there’s a lot to be proud of,” he said.
“Electric buses are now a common sight in Sunshine in the city’s west, and St Kilda down by the bay, and we’re seeing the impact on customers and communities—and our drivers love driving them.”
Last month Kinetic announced it had grown its electric bus fleet in Australia and New Zealand to over 300 across 10 electric depots. Through its UK subsidiary Go-Ahead, Kinetic also has a further 1,000 zero emission buses in operation or on order.
Kinetic is targeting a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. As part of its sustainability strategy, the company is also targeting gender balance across its workforce by 2030 with a big focus on attracting more women to the industry.
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