The Minns Labor Government has announced the purchase of 151 new battery electric buses, continuing the shift to a zero-emission public transport fleet in Sydney.
This investment takes the total number of buses ordered since the March 2023 election to 921 vehicles, a sharp contrast to the previous government’s two-year pause in new bus acquisitions.
Local manufacturing focus
The new buses will exceed the Government’s 50% local content target and be supplied by Australian manufacturers, including Custom Denning in St Marys, Western Sydney.
Deployment will focus on Leichhardt and Kingsgrove depots, both currently being upgraded to support battery-electric operations. Across Greater Sydney, 11 existing depots are being converted, with a new electric depot at Macquarie Park also under development.
Long-term fleet plan
NSW’s 8,000-plus diesel and gas buses will be progressively replaced under the Zero Emission Buses program. There are already 220 electric buses operating across Sydney and Newcastle, with plans to grow the number to around 1,700 by 2028.
For fleet operators, this signals a clear pathway to large-scale electrification:
- Depot conversion and charging infrastructure are being prioritised alongside vehicle roll-outs.
- Partnerships with local manufacturers are securing jobs while building domestic capability.
- Passenger experience is improving with quieter, smoother vehicles that also reduce emissions.
Addressing workforce challenges
The government also highlighted progress on tackling the bus driver shortage, which had peaked at more than 500 vacancies. Through recruitment and training support, the number of vacancies has been cut to 125 as of late August.
Minister’s comments
Minister for Transport John Graham said the staged investment was designed to balance sustainability with service delivery.
“This latest investment in new buses has us on an express route to 1,000 new buses since Labor came to government,” he said.
“The build-up of zero emission buses is happening in a staged and sustainable way, with obvious benefits for the environment and air quality complemented by enhanced passenger comfort levels.”
