The transformation is part of the Allan Government’s commitment to the state achieving overall net zero emissions by 2045.
As part of that policy, from 2025 onwards, all new public transport buses purchased will be zero-emission vehicles.
“Cutting emissions on our public transport network is critical to Victoria meeting its ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2045,” Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said.
“These regional roundtables are another opportunity for government and industry to work together towards ensuring a successful fleet transition as we drive down pollution and remove noisy diesel buses from our public network for good.”
Shepparton’s is among the first roundtables organised by the government to explore the specific challenges and opportunities regional operators will face in transitioning their fleets to zero emissions.
The government said its final transition plan would set out Victoria’s proposed approach to moving towards a zero-emission fleet, including how it would help Victoria’s bus operators prepare for and manage the transition.
Victoria has already embarked on a $20 million Zero Emissions Bus trial, providing important first-hand insights to inform the smooth transition of almost 4500 diesel buses, including 2000 in regional Victoria, to zero emissions.
The three-year trial sees six operators across Victoria introducing 52 zero-emission buses – 50 electric and two hydrogen – into their fleets across Melbourne, Traralgon and Seymour.
The government said lessons from the ZEB trials provided practical information such as depot charging needs and capacity, infrastructure and energy network requirements, environmental outcomes, customer expectations and commercial arrangements.
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