Image supplied, Adelaide Metro
Adelaide’s public transport network has reached a major milestone on its journey to net zero, with the city’s first dedicated electric bus charging hub officially switched on at the Morphettville Bus Depot.
The $9 million upgrade has transformed the depot into the central charging base for Adelaide Metro’s battery electric bus fleet, with 60 charging stations now installed and ready to power the next generation of public transport.
The announcement comes as 55 of the State Government’s 60 new electric buses are already operating across the Adelaide Metro network, with the remaining five expected to enter service later this month.
Together, the fleet is expected to remove around 4,500 tonnes of carbon emissions every year compared to the ageing diesel and gas-powered buses they’re replacing, the equivalent of taking the annual emissions of more than 1,500 homes out of the equation.
For commuters, the benefits go beyond sustainability. Supplied by Scania and built by Volgren Australia, the buses seat 41 passengers, can travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge, and promise a quieter and smoother ride than traditional diesel vehicles.
They’ve also been fitted with new driver security screens, part of a broader $7.5 million safety initiative that will see all 940 buses in Adelaide Metro’s fleet equipped with the protective barriers by the end of the year. More than 75 per cent of the fleet has already been upgraded.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs said, “This is a significant moment in our efforts to deliver a cleaner and more sustainable future.
“With these buses now on the road and servicing the communities, this is yet another step we’re taking as a Government to commit to a greener future for all, in our aim of reaching net zero by 2050. And not only are these buses more environmentally friendly, they’re a better ride.”
The Morphettville upgrade is just the beginning, with planning already underway to install similar charging infrastructure at the Mile End Bus Depot, helping accommodate even more electric buses in the years ahead.
The expansion follows another recent milestone, with six new electric buses arriving in the Adelaide Hills last week to fully electrify Mount Barker’s Keoride on-demand bus service, increasing capacity for passengers while reducing emissions.
Managing Director of Torrens Transit, Andrew Jenkinson, said, “Operating zero-emission buses from the Morphettville Depot is an important milestone for Torrens Transit.
“We’re proud to partner with the South Australian Government to deliver cleaner, more reliable, sustainable public transport while continuing to connect people to where they want to go and need to be.”
South Australia has committed to reducing emissions by at least 60 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, with a long-term goal of reaching net zero by 2050. Alongside the expanding electric bus fleet, significant parts of Adelaide’s rail network, including the Gawler, Seaford and Flinders lines, as well as the tram network, already operate with zero tailpipe emissions, marking another step towards a cleaner public transport future.
