Expressions of interest for electric buses at Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport has invited expressions of interest from manufacturers in Australia and overseas to take part in an open tender for the supply of electric buses, to be used as part of the airport’s parking and ground transport operations.

“We’re looking for a manufacturer who can deliver first-rate electric vehicles to replace the six diesel buses that currently transport passengers and staff between the Blu Emu Car Park and the domestic terminals,” Sydney Airport General Manager Parking & Ground Transport Craig Norton explained.

In 2014, more than 1.6 million passengers and airport workers were transported on the Blu Emu Car Park’s buses. “This is a busy shuttle route,” said Norton, “and optimum operational efficiency and passenger comfort will be two of the key criteria we’ll look for from any manufacturer.”

The tender follows the publication last month of Sydney Airport’s first Sustainability Report. Norton noted, “Finding sustainable transport solutions is a priority for the airport, and advances in electric vehicle technology in recent years mean we can now look seriously at the feasibility of introducing electric buses.”

Electric shuttle buses already operate in Manchester and Nottingham in the UK and at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, while electric bus trials have taken place in cities as diverse as Los Angeles, Bangalore and Kuala Lumpur.

Interested parties are asked to register their expressions of interest at www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/business/services/electricbustender.aspx by 12 June.