New CAT bus fleet provides a better ride for city commuters
23/1/05
The Gallop Government today announced plans to replace Perth's entire CAT bus fleet with new, extra capacity, gas-powered buses by the end of the year.
In a boost for passenger comfort and the environment, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the fleet of 21 diesel-fuelled buses would start being replaced by new Mercedes OC500 CAT buses from April.
The $9.5million project would increase the fleet's passenger capacity and provide a quieter, smoother ride for the 8,000 commuters who used the free service every day.
Features of the new Mercedes OC500 buses include:
- total capacity of 60 passengers per bus, with 32 seats - the existing Scania models take 52 passengers with just 15 seats;
- refrigerated air conditioning;
- low-floor wheelchair access;
- CCTV security;
- Euro 4 emission standard controls - cleaner and greener than the existing buses; and
powered by compressed natural gas.
Ms MacTiernan said the CAT system had been a runaway success and the existing buses needed to be replaced to meet increased passenger demand.
"The CAT buses have proved extremely popular with city commuters and visitors to our city to the point where overcrowding has become a problem," she said.
"The new buses have twice as much seating as the old models and provide a much smoother ride."
The Minister said the new fleet was part of the Gallop Government's commitment to investing in public transport and getting people out of their cars and on to public transport.
"Replacing the fleet with bigger, more comfortable buses will ensure people continue to leave their cars at home and take advantage of Perth's world-class public transport system," she said.
"Public transport is good for the environment, it is good for the liveability of our city and it is good for people's hip pockets."