What We Do - Bus Industry Confederation Inc.

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WHAT WE DO

ADVOCACY
COMMITTEES
PUBLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY

The BIC undertakes research and development

The BIC undertakes research and development initiatives to assist in the growth and prosperity of its members’ businesses and the bus and coach industry as a whole. Our research and policy program covers many areas including: cities and congestion, taxes, energy security, safety, health, social inclusion, bus rapid transit, fuel, zero-emissions and future technology.

Advocacy & Representation

Comprehensive apprenticeship and traineeship programs in partnership with leading training organizations.

Skills Development

Industry-specific training programs designed to upskill existing workforce and prepare new entrants.

Networking & Events

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Professional Development

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Member Discounts

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Industry Updates

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

The BIC undertakes research and development

The BIC undertakes research and development initiatives to assist in the growth and prosperity of its members’ businesses and the bus and coach industry as a whole. Our research and policy program covers many areas including: cities and congestion, taxes, energy security, safety, health, social inclusion, bus rapid transit, fuel, zero-emissions and future technology.

Advocacy & Representation

Comprehensive apprenticeship and traineeship programs in partnership with leading training organizations.

Skills Development

Industry-specific training programs designed to upskill existing workforce and prepare new entrants.

Networking & Events

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Professional Development

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Member Discounts

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Industry Updates

Connect with employers offering workforce development opportunities and career advancement.

Committees and Working Groups

Our committees and associated sub-committees are established to assist the BIC Secretariat manage the range of issues and initiatives we undertake. The role of any committee is to advise or make recommendations to the Council, or to make decisions only where expressly delegated to do so. The committees, subservient to the Council with no executive power, have a national focus (as opposed to issues that are the primary domain of the state and territory governments).

Each committee is chaired by a BIC Councillor or suitably qualified industry member, and plays a role in ensuring national policy development, programs and initiatives (or emerging national issues) are managed, coordinated, and communicated to BIC members. Each chairperson updates the BIC Council on key issues and seeks Council approval/endorsement of industry policy positions or the undertaking of a specific program or initiative.

The BIC Council determines the composition of each Committee. Membership is open to all BIC members and is reviewed annually. Committees meet approximately three times per year on agreeddates. The work of the committees is showcased at BIC national and other industry events.

Policy and Regulation Committee

To ensure that the bus industry views on government reforms are understood.
Implement advocacy programs to minimise added regulatory costs and burdens and reduce government red tape and prescriptive regulation.
To ensure that regulation and reform issues that will impact on the bus industry are dealt with by national and state regulatory authorities by considering “bus specific” factors rather than generic “heavy vehicle” factors.
To respond to tax, charges and infrastructure issues including road pricing matters as they emerge and to present industry views and agreed policy positions on these issues in submissions.
To undertake industry research initiatives with the aim of providing the intellectual and factual support for Industry advocacy objectives.

Long Distance, Tour and Charter Sub Committee

Technical, Environment and Safety Committee

Zero Emissions Sub Committee

Advocacy and Policy

We focus heavily on developing evidence-based policies that go on to inform our advocacy, keeping us at the forefront of innovation.

Broad in our scope, we connect our research, policy and advocacy efforts (affecting active and public transport) with core issues such as the economy, health, wellbeing, land use and the environment. A significant part of our mandate includes advocating for sensible regulation and national law on heavy vehicle technical issues, how buses and coaches operate on our roads, workplace health and safety, and industrial relations.

Our research output incorporates economics, public and active travel, bus services, heavy vehicle design, and performance in the following policy areas…

Economy

Public transport, in addition to providing significant social and environmental benefits, plays a key role easing city congestion, thereby boosting individual and economical productivity. We advocate for the recognition of public transport’s economic benefits, along with the inclusion of these in future infrastructure funding assessment.

Energy

Australia’s fuel security and the impact of fuel prices on household budgets. The role that public transport can play in providing a cheaper alternative to cars and in reducing the overall fuel use of Australians.

Environment

Policy development related to vehicle technology and the uptake of alterative fuels and energy, such as hydrogen and electric powered buses.

Governance

Public transport, in addition to providing significant social and environmental benefits, plays a key role easing city congestion, thereby boosting individual and economical productivity. We advocate for the recognition of public transport’s economic benefits, along with the inclusion of these in future infrastructure funding assessment.

Health and wellbeing

Australia’s fuel security and the impact of fuel prices on household budgets. The role that public transport can play in providing a cheaper alternative to cars and in reducing the overall fuel use of Australians.

Industrial relations

Policy development related to vehicle technology and the uptake of alterative fuels and energy, such as hydrogen and electric powered buses.

Land use planning

Public transport, in addition to providing significant social and environmental benefits, plays a key role easing city congestion, thereby boosting individual and economical productivity. We advocate for the recognition of public transport’s economic benefits, along with the inclusion of these in future infrastructure funding assessment.

Rapid transit

Australia’s fuel security and the impact of fuel prices on household budgets. The role that public transport can play in providing a cheaper alternative to cars and in reducing the overall fuel use of Australians.

Bus safety

Policy development related to vehicle technology and the uptake of alterative fuels and energy, such as hydrogen and electric powered buses.

Social inclusion

Public transport, in addition to providing significant social and environmental benefits, plays a key role easing city congestion, thereby boosting individual and economical productivity. We advocate for the recognition of public transport’s economic benefits, along with the inclusion of these in future infrastructure funding assessment.

Vehicle technical issues

Australia’s fuel security and the impact of fuel prices on household budgets. The role that public transport can play in providing a cheaper alternative to cars and in reducing the overall fuel use of Australians.

Publications | Submissions | Consultations

The Bus Industry Confederation regularly responds to invitations from government departments, authorities, committees and inquiries to share its opinions or provide feedback informing decision making and policies. From time to time, the BIC also commissions topical research, further developed into valuable industry resources.

Below are the BIC’s most recent publications…

Download the National Competition Policy Analysis Submission

Driver Safety Screens Guide-May 2025

Antisocial behaviour of public transport users is an ever-increasing issue and a difficult subject to tackle for government, transport regulators, bus operators and suppliers. Additional measures are being sought or implemented by government, operators, and suppliers to better protect drivers from physical attack. As such:

This guide provides advice on vehicle standards requirements when installing driver safety screens as part of any in-service modification. These include (accessibility, field of vision, distortion, glazing and ventilation) to maintain safety, vision daily accessibility and accessibility in the event of an emergency. May be used in conjunction with the NHVR’s Exemption notice: National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Bus Driver Safety Screen) Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) and Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6) V3.2: National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications section K3.

Driver Safety Screens Guide-May 2025

Antisocial behaviour of public transport users is an ever-increasing issue and a difficult subject to tackle for government, transport regulators, bus operators and suppliers. Additional measures are being sought or implemented by government, operators, and suppliers to better protect drivers from physical attack. As such:

This guide provides advice on vehicle standards requirements when installing driver safety screens as part of any in-service modification. These include (accessibility, field of vision, distortion, glazing and ventilation) to maintain safety, vision daily accessibility and accessibility in the event of an emergency. May be used in conjunction with the NHVR’s Exemption notice: National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Bus Driver Safety Screen) Exemption Notice 2025 (No.1) and Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6) V3.2: National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications section K3.

Zero Emissions Technology

Bus and Coach Safety Advisories

As part of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative Funding Agreement administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, we’ve developed a series of bus and coach safety advisories for zero emissions technology.

The series provides information relating to heavy vehicle standards and specifications, safe vehicle operations, vehicle maintenance and infrastructure, and is aimed at manufacturers, suppliers and operators of heavy vehicles, plus related components and infrastructure.

Information provided in this series may also be a useful reference for Australian state and territory governments, transport agencies and transport regulators.

Advisory 1. Electric Power Train Systems

Released August 2023

Advisory 1 of this Bus and Coach Safety Advisory Series was released in August 2023 and is intended to support incoming ADR’s 109/00 and 110/00 relating to zero emissions technology for heavy vehicles.

Below are relevant regulation and standards resources that can be incorporated into existing heavy vehicle specification forms (systems) for use by manufacturers, bus operators and transport agencies.

Chapter overview

Componentry of battery and hydrogen zero emissions vehicles
Heavy vehicle regulations in Australia and ADR’s.
Recommendations for the adoption of United Nations regulations and website links to the latest regulations:
1. 1. UN R100 Rev. 3 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to specific requirements for the electric power train.
  2. UN R10 Rev. 6 – Electromagnetic compatibility
  3. UN R134 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (HFCV)
  4. EC 79/2009 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (Note: as a base as R134 does not require all components subject to high pressure hydrogen to be tested and certified)
  5. UNR138 Rev. 1 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of Quiet Road Transport Vehicles with regard to their reduced audibility (QRTV).
Review of other related or equivalent international standards and specifications.
Future global technical specification – Global Technical Regulation 20 on electric vehicle safety.

Download resources

Advisory 2 Vehicle operations and maintenance

Released August 2023

Advisory 1 of this Bus and Coach Safety Advisory Series was released in August 2023 and is intended to support incoming ADR’s 109/00 and 110/00 relating to zero emissions technology for heavy vehicles.

Below are relevant regulation and standards resources that can be incorporated into existing heavy vehicle specification forms (systems) for use by manufacturers, bus operators and transport agencies.

Chapter overview

Componentry of battery and hydrogen zero emissions vehicles
Heavy vehicle regulations in Australia and ADR’s.
Recommendations for the adoption of United Nations regulations and website links to the latest regulations:
1. 1. UN R100 Rev. 3 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to specific requirements for the electric power train.
  2. UN R10 Rev. 6 – Electromagnetic compatibility
  3. UN R134 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (HFCV)
  4. EC 79/2009 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (Note: as a base as R134 does not require all components subject to high pressure hydrogen to be tested and certified)
  5. UNR138 Rev. 1 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of Quiet Road Transport Vehicles with regard to their reduced audibility (QRTV).
Review of other related or equivalent international standards and specifications.
Future global technical specification – Global Technical Regulation 20 on electric vehicle safety.

Download resources

Advisory 3 Fixed systems and infrastructure

Release November 2024

Advisory 1 of this Bus and Coach Safety Advisory Series was released in August 2023 and is intended to support incoming ADR’s 109/00 and 110/00 relating to zero emissions technology for heavy vehicles.

Below are relevant regulation and standards resources that can be incorporated into existing heavy vehicle specification forms (systems) for use by manufacturers, bus operators and transport agencies.

Chapter overview

Componentry of battery and hydrogen zero emissions vehicles
Heavy vehicle regulations in Australia and ADR’s.
Recommendations for the adoption of United Nations regulations and website links to the latest regulations:
1. 1. UN R100 Rev. 3 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to specific requirements for the electric power train.
  2. UN R10 Rev. 6 – Electromagnetic compatibility
  3. UN R134 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (HFCV)
  4. EC 79/2009 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles (Note: as a base as R134 does not require all components subject to high pressure hydrogen to be tested and certified)
  5. UNR138 Rev. 1 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of Quiet Road Transport Vehicles with regard to their reduced audibility (QRTV).
Review of other related or equivalent international standards and specifications.
Future global technical specification – Global Technical Regulation 20 on electric vehicle safety.