ACT bus fleet electrification targets not being met by Labor-Greens government

Shadow Minister for Transport Mark Parton has taken aim at the ACT Labor-Greens government for failing to meet their own bus fleet electrification targets with only 12 electric buses currently in route service.

Mr Parton, who will move a motion in the Legislative Assembly today said the Labor-Greens government are also misleading Canberrans by saying there are 106 electric buses on the road.

“Despite announcing in November last year, with much fanfare, that four new Custom Denning Electric buses had arrived in Canberra and would soon be on the road, five months later they are still not in service,” Mr Parton said.

“At the same time, there are still non-compliant Renault Diesel buses in service, well over a year after they were meant to be retired.

“It is also misleading for the government to put signage on buses stating there are 106 electric buses on the road when there is only 12.

“That is why my motion today calls on the government to commit to it’s own electrification targets and to remove the signage from the buses stating there are 106 electric buses in service.”

Mr Parton said the Labor-Greens government has shown no desire to meet their bus fleet electrification targets because they are committed to a tram to Woden that will cost over $4 billion and double the travel time.

“The Canberra Liberals transport policy, which will electrify the bus fleet much quicker than Labor and the Greens is based on genuine transport outcomes, getting Canberrans where they want to go, when they want to get there.

“Our comprehensive transport policy provides a practical plan for bus fleet replacement that will invest in growing the bus fleet including the use of electric buses that will be made by Canberrans, for Canberrans right here in Canberra,” Mr Parton concluded.