Recent posts

#71

Infrastructure / Re: Woden Depot Discussion

Last post by Barry Drive - February 09, 2024, 07:54:13 PM

But there still isn't a published contract.

To correct the record: as mentioned here, the 2018 contract is still valid and has been varied multiple times. The current value is $30m, but there will be a further variation soon to include the 50 or so bus chargers.

There has also been a contract (worth $5.9m) with ActewAGL to provide a high voltage connection to the Wanniassa sub-station.


I went past the Woden Depot building site recently. Was quite impressed with how much has gone up, especially since it was just a vacant lot for so long.

#72

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by Barry Drive - February 09, 2024, 11:21:59 AM

The contract is actually with Scania Finance, since it's a leasing agreement.

The question of damages (or compensation) for late delivery was an interesting thought, but it's not covered by the contract. If anything, TC are saving money by the late deliveries, since they are only required to pay for a bus once it's been received. There are also no penalty provisions, since no payment occurs until delivery.

The contract does include provisions for termination due to late deliveries. Which makes me think that Scania won't try to increase the lease charges because TC might instead opt to enforce the termination clause. (And that clause might still be under consideration.)

As I've said previously, I don't believe the Renaults are that expensive to maintain nor are they especially prone to breakdowns, in comparison to other buses. The main disadvantage is that keeping the Renaults in service results in Irisbuses being used more. (Because once a Renault is withdrawn, the shift can be reassigned to an Irisbus, thus reducing the usage of both buses.)

As for how many buses are on the production line, who knows? But it's quite possible all have had some work started which makes it difficult to transfer elsewhere.

#73

Fleet / Re: Renaults a go go: the fina...

Last post by Barry Drive - February 08, 2024, 11:57:20 PM

The Yutong contract may start delivering buses mid-year, so IF they prioritise the withdrawal of the Renaults before the Scania gas buses, we might have the Renaults fully withdrawn in about August/September.

In Question Time on Wednesday, the minister did confirm that buses delivered under the Yutong contract will be used to withdraw Renaults (rather than Scania L94s, if there are still Renaults in service at the time).

Although there hasn't been a public delivery schedule, previous comments have suggested they will supply 30 buses a year. So my assumption is that in 2024 there will be a minimum of 15, since deliveries are expected to commence in July.

This will (or should) result in all Renaults being withdrawn by years end, one way or another.

#74

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by triumph - February 08, 2024, 08:54:23 PM

It is not surprising that the Minister this time is being vague, ...
An associated question, apparently not addressed by the Minister, is does the sharing of risk conditions in the procurement documents give rise to any additional payments to Bustech, or the application of deductions against Bustech? ...

From the reported Minister's statement, Scania, not Bustech, is the primary contractor. So the reference to payments should probably more properly relate to Scania in lieu of Bustech. A further complication is that they are leased buses. So costs incurred by TC from sustaining the Renaults and the hard to quantify community cost of keeping non-disability compliant buses in service, may be practically unrecoverable. Likewise the additional costs incurred by the supplier are very likely largely unrecoverable via varied lease charges.
Another rhetorical question, given a comment a while back about Scania taking back chassis, is, are the Scania products (chassis) available, with the delay issues resting with the body builder (Bustech)? Up to now I had understood that this was the case.

 

#75

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by Barry Drive - February 08, 2024, 05:05:17 PM

(A transcript will be provided later.)

I've posted a brief transcript here: https://www.actbus.net/yet-more-delays-in-delivery-of-new-scania-buses/

Most of the rest of the statement was about minimising the usage of PR100.2s, which is also unchanged from last time.

The Minister was deliberately vague since he's still awaiting a revised delivery schedule from Scania.

In Question Time yesterday, the question was put "why should Canberrans believe you this time?" - which was not answered. He would have been better asking "why do you believe what Scania are now telling you, given their track record so far?", but regrettably the opposition is more concerned with point scoring than actual fact finding.

#76

The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...

Last post by triumph - February 07, 2024, 09:05:23 PM

Sat 3/2/24
001 (R1)
008 (R1)

Mon 5/2/24
727 (R3)
508 (R2)
720 (R3)
727 (R3) again

Today
431 (R3)
330 (57)
441 (57)
803 (R4)
702 (R4)
534 (R4)
013 (R1)
457 (R8)
596 (R3)

#77

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by Busnerd - February 07, 2024, 01:19:32 PM

For those that remember, wasn't it 2 years of similar vague excuses for the first electric buses ACTION (back then) were going to trial with some new company out of Victoria. Contact was torn up by ACTION eventually.

I haven't looked at this contract. But I assume the usual payment penalties apply for this contract.

I believe that was the "Matilda" bus which never really eventuated.

#78

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by Bus 400 - February 07, 2024, 12:33:17 AM

For those that remember, wasn't it 2 years of similar vague excuses for the first electric buses ACTION (back then) were going to trial with some new company out of Victoria. Contact was torn up by ACTION eventually. 

I haven't looked at this contract. But I assume the usual payment penalties apply for this contract. 

#79

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by triumph - February 06, 2024, 09:44:57 PM

It is not surprising that the Minister this time is being vague, having been let down by the supplier over past predictions. That is taking it at face value. It would though be rather surprising, with the need to sustain the near worn out Renaults and make every effort to comply with the disability access law, if the Government was in any way complicit itself in delaying deliveries. Time for Bustech to make a clarifying statement.
As previously remarked, the rhetorical  questions are how many near complete buses have Bustech got stored awaiting completion? And, if they haven't made significant progress with construction, then the continued viability of Bustech must be of concern.
An associated question, apparently not addressed by the Minister, is does the sharing of risk conditions in the procurement documents give rise to any additional payments to Bustech, or the application of deductions against Bustech?
As Barry Drive said, overall a very disappointing lack of clarification.
Then to further muddy the waters, there is non-entry to service of 4 electric buses delivered last Oct/Nov, and which had to go back to the maker for apparently undefined 'modifications'.

#80

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by Barry Drive - February 06, 2024, 12:12:09 PM

The next sitting week of the ACT Legislative Assembly is early February - one year since the first announcement by Chris Steel that the buses would arrive by mid-2023. I look forward to what he will announce this time.

Well that was disappointing. Absolutely no reference to why the promised "nine by the end of 2023" was not met. Just a repeat of supply chain problems, difficulty in sourcing parts and skilled labour.

The latest report is "all buses will be received before the end of 2024". (A transcript will be provided later.)

Which works out at 1.5 buses per month from here onwards.

The Yutong contract may start delivering buses mid-year, so IF they prioritise the withdrawal of the Renaults before the Scania gas buses, we might have the Renaults fully withdrawn in about August/September.