Australasian Bus & Coach - April 2018

(^8) ABC April 2018 busnews.com.au
A NEW INCREASED WEIGHT
LIMITforallNSW3-axlebuses
and coaches means the push
for national uniform adoption
is closer to being achieved,
accordingtoindustryexperts
at a NSW Government media
announcement.
MinisterforRoads,Maritime
andFreightMelindaPaveysays
raisingthegrossmasslimitfor
3-axlebusesfrom20.5tonnes
to 22 tonnes would help bus
operators improve efficiency,
whileothershavewelcomed
Above:
The Hon. Melinda
Jane Pavey, MP,
surrounded
by BusNSW
advocates,
announces new
permit availability
for 3-axle bus and
coach increased
weight limit,
outside NSW
Parliament House.
3-AXLE UNIFORMITY
A STEP CLOSER
the increased safety aspects for
passengers and drivers alike.
“Today’s coaches carry a lot
of extra equipment – from
wheelchair lifts to entertainment
and toilet facilities – which all
add considerable weight to the
vehicles,” the Minister says.
“NSW Bus operators will now
be able to apply for a permit for
the increased 22-tonne mass
limit to operate on our roads.”
The latest ruling follows
intense lobbying from BusNSW
to invoke such a change, and a
NSW Government Review that
found 3-axle buses operating
at 22 tonnes cause less
road wear than 2-axle buses
operating a maximum legal
weight of 18 tonnes.
Parliamentary Secretary for
the Illawarra and South Coast
Gareth Ward says: “Buses
operating at the new 22-tonne
mass limit will also be safer as
they will need to have anti-lock
braking and electronic braking
systems installed, as well as
electronic stability control to
qualify for a permit.”
“The 3-axle bus mass limits
are also being reviewed by the
National Transport Commission
to work towards a consistent
national approach,” he explains.
BusNSW executive director
Matt Threlkeld expresses
relief at the decision and
labels it a common-sense
approach, stating the new
limits would particularly benefit
long-distance express coaches.
“Coaches are always picking
up new passengers and
luggage along their routes. The
increased weight limits will
give drivers the confidence to
use the vehicle’s full seating
capacity, meet safety standards
and comply with the law,”
Threlkeld says.
2-AXLE BUS LIMIT RUMOURS CONFIRMED
INDUSTRY rumours regarding
changes to the 2-axle bus mass
increase and a Class 3 Notice
for Victorian operators – so they
can operate as they were – have
been confirmed, according
to the National Heavy Vehicle
Regulator, recently.
NHVR spokesperson Andrew
Berkman says the NHVR has
been consulting with the bus
industry and state and territory
governments to provide
consistent higher mass limits
for 2-axle buses with dual tyres
to operate up to 18 tonnes,
along with some additional
safety features. This supports
recommendations made in
the 2014 NTC Discussion Paper
‘Mass Limits for 2-Axle Buses’,
he says.
“The regulation would allow
buses in South Australia, ACT and
Tasmania to operate at increased
mass limits, similar to those in
Queensland, NSW and Victoria,”
Berkman explained.
“The existing fleet in Victoria
will continue to operate under
a continuation of the current
exemption, which has been in
operation since 2011.
In 2019, all new buses in Victoria
will need to comply with the
additional safety features.”
Additional safety features
to operate at increased mass
limits include anti-lock braking
systems, electronic braking
systems or electronic stability
control, depending on the year of
manufacture of the bus.
Sources say this amendment is
scheduled to commence after 1
July, 2018.
NEWS