Kinetic to introduce 137 locally built zero emission buses in Melbourne in partnership with the Victorian Government

• Kinetic to introduce a further 137 electric buses into Melbourne’s bus network 
• It will grow the electric bus fleet within the Metropolitan Bus Franchise (MBF) to 174 (32%) over the next 4 years 
• Kinetic has already delivered 37 ZEBs, 111 hybrid buses and two ZEB depots in Melbourne 

Kinetic will support the Victorian Government to introduce a further 137 new zero emission buses (ZEBs) into Melbourne’s metropolitan bus network as part of the state’s transition to a cleaner, greener and more modern bus network. 

Aligning with the release of the Victorian Government’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan (ZEB Plan) on November 1, the vehicles will be introduced as part of the Metropolitan Bus Franchise (MBF) contract, the city’s largest franchise which covers over 30 per cent of the city’s bus network.

Kinetic has successfully transitioned 37 ZEBs and electrified two depots since the franchise commenced. Building on this success and experience, the announcement will see Kinetic grow the MBF’s electric bus fleet to 174 over the next 4 years starting in 2025, as part of a fleet replacement program for buses that are approaching end of service life. 

At the completion of this roll-out, almost one third (32 per cent) of the MBF fleet will be electric, displacing more than 724 tonnes of Co2e per month from the atmosphere. It will mark a significant step towards a cleaner and greener transport experience for Melbournians aligned with the Victorian Government’s drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

Earlier this year Kinetic was appointed as Franchisee to operate a new Metropolitan ZEB Franchise (MZF) covering services in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, which Kinetic will transition to full ZEB operations by the end of the 10-year contract.

Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards said he’s proud to continue partnering with the Victorian Government on the transition to zero emission buses throughout Melbourne.

“We are proud to continue to shape the future of Melbourne’s bus network in conjunction with the Victorian Government through a shared investment in zero emission infrastructure, assets and capability,” Mr Sewards said.

“This is also an important step towards Kinetic’s goal to operate a fully electric urban fleet by 2035.”  “Excitingly, over the next four years we’ll see electric buses constitute almost one third of the city’s biggest franchise.”

In support of local manufacturing capability, the supply of new ZEBs will include key Australia manufacturers, with investment from Kinetic contributing to the creation of new jobs in Victoria. Kinetic will also continue to develop and deliver enhanced training to maintain the growing fleet of ZEBs within its Melbourne workforce. 

Throughout Australia and New Zealand Kinetic operates more than 320 zero emission buses and 11 electric depots, while around the world, Kinetic has a further 1,200 zero emission buses in operation or on order and 33 ZEB depots through its majority owned UK subsidiary Go-Ahead.

Further enquiries

Stephanie Makin
Manager - Media & Communications
0438 462 380
stephanie.makin@wearekinetic.com