120 Scania gas buses for Brisbane, Australia

120 Scania gas buses for Brisbane, Australia In a major effort to improve air quality in the city, Brisbane City Council has decided to order up to 120 gas-powered Scania city buses over a 3-year pe- riod. The switch from older diesel buses to new low-floor gas buses will re- duce harmful exhaust emissions by more than 90 percent, while enhancing pas- senger access and comfort. The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Jim Soorley, says in a public statement: "The key aims in our 5-year integrated transport strategy are to reduce con- gestion, improve public transport and protect the environment. "Following an exhaustive 18-month evaluation process, the Brisbane City Coun- cil will contract Scania Australia to supply up to 120 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses over a three-year period. "These new buses will make a significant contribution to improving Brisbane's air quality . Compared to Euro 2 emission standards, the exhaust from the new natural gas buses will have 99 percent less carbon monoxide emissions and 93 percent less particulate emissions." Harry Postema, MD of Scania Australia: "We are delighted to get this prestigious contract. Scania's efforts to stay at the forefront in terms of safety, comfort and environmental performance will pay dividends for all inhabitants in the city of Brisbane." The buses feature new-style air-conditioned bodywork with a low floor all the way to the rear axle. Full air suspension with a kneeling facility is fitted for comfort and ease of access. Disc brakes all-round provide maximum safety and easy servicing. The longitudinally-mounted 260-hp gas engine is a brand new Scania unit based on the 9-litre bus engine, which is also available in Euro2 or Euro 3 diesel form. A gas engine operates according to the Otto principle and is therefore very quie. Internal and external noise levels are exceptionally low. The chassis components will be supplied by Scania in Sweden. The bodies will be built at the Brisbane City Council's bus workshops in co-operation with Australian coachbuilder Volgren, an agreement that will generate 40 jobs. More than 100 gas-powered Scania buses are operating in Sydney, Australia since several years. Photo of Scania bus with Volgren body: see www.scania.com under Media serv- ices. For further information, please contact Gunnar Boman, Scania Buses & Coaches, tel. +46 150 58599, e-mail gunnar.boman@scania.com * * * Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 23,500 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 1998, turnover to- talled SEK 45,300 million and income after financial items SEK 3,200 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and approxi- mately 96 percent of total production is sold outside Sweden. Bus manufacture takes place in Sweden, Brazil, Denmark and Poland and bus assembly in several countries, including Australia. Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/07/19991207BIT00380/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/07/19991207BIT00380/bit0002.pdf