2015-04-07 Item 2 - Attachment 1 - Pre feasibility Study of Electric Bus Routes

1.   Introduction
     1.1     Background
     Noosa Council has a track record of innovative approaches to the provision of
     public transport and currently provides subsidised (free) public transport in
     partnership with TransLink and Sunbus during peak holiday periods in an attempt
     to alleviate congestion and parking issues, particularly in the heavily visited tourism
     hotspots around Noosa.
     The Council has been following and researching the increasingly successful
     incidences of electric bus trials within Australia and across the globe, and believes
     that this technology is sufficiently mature and will offer significant economic and
     community benefits to the area. Noosa Council and the TransLink Division of
     Transport and Main Roads have commissioned a joint feasibility study into electric
     buses in Noosa.
     There are a number of electric bus trials and services in operation around the world
     and they are demonstrating that following initial investment, there are significant
     savings arising through reductions in fuel consumption and maintenance whilst
     also providing economic and social benefits including:
       Reduced or zero emissions from buses
       Supporting the development of renewable energy

       Improved urban amenity and reduce noise pollution
       Increased patronage and public transport mode share
       Reduced operational costs, increase fare revenue, improve cost recovery and
       better value for money for tax and rate payers
       Reduced traffic congestion
       Increased economic development and tourism visitation in Noosa

       Improved social capital
     Towards this end, Council is considering the use of electric buses as an innovative
     approach towards the provision of clean and environmentally friendly public
     transport. The main drivers for the service are:
       To provide a public transport point of differentiation as a tourism destination in
       order to increase visitation and economic activity in the Noosa Shire area

       To facilitate a modal shift in travel behaviour in order to mitigate significant
       planning and environmental issues such as air pollution, congestion and parking
     GHD has been commissioned to assess the feasibility of electric bus routes in the
     Noosa area in order to provide sufficient evidence to justify a decision to progress
     the project further. The study entailed an assessment of the available technology,
     required infrastructure, network planning and passenger utilisation needed to
     determine the future costs and operational effectiveness of such a service. A
     Strategic Outline Case (SOC) in order to introduce a 6-month trial electric bus
     service in the Noosa area has been prepared. This report presents the findings of
     the study and presents recommendations for a potential electric bus provider for
     Noosa.




                           GHD | Feasibility Study of Electric Bus Routes in Noosa - Planning Report | 1