Kinetic quietly transforming Melbourne’s bus experience

• Kinetic has grown its fleet of zero-emission buses in Melbourne to 30
• Two years since the first electric bus hit the network they have clocked almost 2 million kilometres
• They are powered by electric depots in the city’s west and south-east

Two years after launching the first electric bus into service on Melbourne’s metropolitan bus network, Kinetic has quietly grown its zero-emission bus fleet to 30 as it helps to transform the city’s bus experience.

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 1300 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,” Mr Sewards says.

“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.”

Kinetic opens electric bus depot in Sunshine West.

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 per cent 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.

You can read more about Kinetic’s zero-emissions commitments at wearekinetic.com/sustainability/zero-emissions.

Further enquiries

Emmanuelle Brizuela
Specialist - Communications
0460 615 604
emmanuelle.brizuela@wearekinetic.com