Media Release: John Hargreaves MLA, 18 July 2008

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services (John Hargreaves) today announced that the first MAN bus (sic) has arrived at ACTION.

“The new MAN bus looks similar to other buses on the road but it incorporates a number of changes/improvements:

  • Major revision to wheelchair area layout including new modesty barriers improving passenger safety;
  • Extra bellpush buttons and padding in passenger seats;
  • LED lights on rear of bus;
  • Automatically dimming interior lights to reduce glare & reflection on windscreen;
  • Rear destination sign fitted; and
  • Fitting of XIR windscreen and corner glass panels to front of bus reducing the transmission of infrared light (heat) from direct sunlight.

A number of features have also been redesigned:

  • Revised larger driver’s cabin layout.
  • Complete revision of air-conditioning – including change of air-conditioning supplier, redesign and improvement of airflow to front of saloon and drivers area.
  • Complete redesign and improvement to drivers heating- including fitting of extra boost pump for improved flow of coolant through heater core.

“This new MAN bus is the first of 16 buses to be added to the ACTION fleet and is just one of the many initiatives underway to improve public transport services to our community,” said Mr Hargreaves.

“The ACT Government has committed nearly $50 million dollars over four years on the 2008-09 Budget to purchase an additional 100 new efficient, more accessible buses as part of the bus fleet replacement program.

“The purchase of new buses also ensured ACTION met the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) with 25% of the fleet meeting the standard for accessible public transport. The arrival of the rest of the buses will mean that ACTION will meet the DDA requirement for 55% in 2012.

“ACTION’s bus fleet includes 99 easy access buses. Each of these buses is equipped with an extendable ramp, a wide front entrance, and space in the bus to accommodate wheelchairs or prams.

“The first MAN bus (BUS 374) will be on the road by the end of the month,” said Mr Hargreaves.

“ACTION expects the remaining 15 MAN buses to arrive over the coming months.

The Minister said that the additional 100 buses will progressively enter the fleet commencing June 2009 with final delivery by December 2012.

View original media release on Internet Archive

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