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

   Any loss of passenger carrying capacity given final configuration of the chosen bus option
   and capacity to accommodate unexpected fluctuations in route demand
   Untested design life - none of the electric buses have been in operation for 15 years so
   the life of the bus is untested
   For the above reasons a trial is recommended to test this new technology

8.2      Recommendations
   Route 627 is recommended to be used as the electric bus trial route
   Two (2) electric buses and one (1) diesel bus will be required to maintain the current 30
   minute headway and 60 minute circuit time. A standby diesel bus is recommended to
   attend to any breakdowns in order to ensure service reliability. The existing diesel buses
   in the Sunbus fleet should be used as stand-by spares should there be any breakdowns,
   accidents and other service continuity issues
   Overnight storage and slow charging of the electric bus is recommended to be at the
   existing Sunbus depot at Marcoola. Layover and fast charge of the electric bus
   recommended to be at Pelican Street (in front of Council office and would involve the loss
   of approximately three (3) car parking spaces. Repairs and maintenance is proposed to
   be conducted at existing Sunbus depot (Beech Street) at Marcoola
   Route 627 should be exempt from the TransLink Contract Performance Management
   Framework during the trial whilst an unproven technology is being tested

   A driver relief vehicle is hired (2 Nos) and included in trial costs, to transport Sunbus
   drivers between the Marcoola depot and Noosa Junction to facilitate driver shift
   changeovers

   Dedicated electricity meters to be used for the trial to verify battery usage and
   performance of the bus
   It is recommended that both Optare and BYD buses are considered for the 6 month trial to
    confirm performance in the field and is estimated to cost $859,900 (excluding
    contingencies)
   Should the trial succeed the permanent cost of operating the electric bus would be less
   than the trial cost as standby buses and drivers would not be required as the technology is
   proven as reliable. Consideration may also be given to using more permanent recharging
   options that may negate the need for a third bus
   Potential funding sources include:
   – National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF)
   – Introduce a Council Public Transport levy to fund the trial
   – Seek a portion of the total funding from TransLink
   – Advertising revenue
   Electric buses for the trial will need to comply with all State and Commonwealth
   government laws in in particular the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
   (DSAPT) 2002 and Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 2002 (DDA), and
   Australian Design Rules (ADR)
   Council/TransLink should consider the involvement of Sunbus in the trial as early as
   possible




60 | GHD | Proposal for Noosa Council & TransLink Division - Planning Report