PUBLICATIONS &
CONSULTATIONS

HVNL Draft Amendment Bill and Regulations Exposure | 2024

Acknowledgement of our industry’s uniqueness is lacking within the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill and Heavy Vehicle National Amendment Regulations.

The inclusion of a distinct section specific to bus and coach would provide clarity and enable governments to clearly understand the implications of proposed changes and the specific circumstances applicable in focus areas such as fitness-to-drive and fatigue management.

Australian Bus and Coach: An industry in Crisis | 2024

In October 2017, the last Aussie built car rolled off the production line in Adelaide.

Without urgent government intervention, 2027 could be the last year that buses and coaches are manufactured or assembled on Australian soil. Assistance from the Australian and State, Territory Governments is urgently required to stop the collapse of bus and coach manufacturing and assembly in Australia.

Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap | 2024

The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Government’s Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap.

As the peak body for the bus and coach industry in Australia the BIC represents bus and coach operators, vehicle, and equipment manufacturers as well as other suppliers and responds on their behalf.

National Urban Policy Consultation Draft | 2024

The Bus Industry Confederation welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the National Urban Policy Consultation Draft May 2024.

As there are no specific questions posed in the draft, we have made a general response and identified some areas where an increased emphasis on public transport is warranted.

Policy Position Paper: Driving Towards Zero Emissions | 2024

The Australian bus industry is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to zero-emission technologies for heavy vehicles.

As an industry, we can significantly reduce transport emissions, while helping Australia meet its climate targets and creating new economic opportunities. But the transition must be carefully managed to ensure the best outcomes while protecting our economy, including jobs and essential services.

2024-25 Federal Pre-Budget Submission | 2024

To stabilise and then grow Australia’s sovereign manufacturing ability for buses, BIC recommends that the Australian Government commit funding for the establishment of an Office of National Bus Industry Coordination which will lead the development and implementation of a National Bus Manufacturing Plan and associated National Bus Procurement Roadmap and Manufacturing Strategy.

Further, we recommend that the Government commit funding to a National Heavy Vehicle Skills and Workforce Program.

Dimensions and Mass - Low/Zero Emission Buses/Coaches | 2023

This paper reviews the status of heavy vehicle body mass and dimensions as it relates to buses and coaches.

Consequently, the paper also provides an update on the BIC position for wider vehicles (specifically 2.5 to 2.55 m body width) as it relates to the Australian bus industry.

Bus Safety Initiatives Paper | 2023

On 28 August 2023, the BIC presented a Bus Safety Initiatives Paper at a Bus Safety Ministerial Roundtable hosted by Senator Carol Brown – Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

The Paper provides 8 key recommendations to further enhance bus safety – the vehicle, the passenger and other road users.

National Electric Vehicle Strategy Consultation | 2022

The BIC supports the intent of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy Consultation paper which covers a range of goals and although the bus and coach industry are broadly supportive of these goals, highlighting two main concerns with the strategy.

The bus and coach industry in Australia is uniquely placed to be an exemplar of how to transition heavy vehicles to zero emissions operation. The public transport tasks (including school bus services), which the industry undertakes daily are so configured that the vast majority of these operations are ideally suited to adopt dedicated battery and hydrogen technology.