Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell and Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) yesterday launched South Africa’s first active electric bus.
As of this month, GABS will be incorporating two electric buses into its day-to-day operations, and passengers travelling between Retreat and Cape Town will have the pleasure of being transported in these buses.
According to a statement, GABS began its renewable energy journey in 2017 with the pilot installation of two solar plants of 25kWp each.
The positive results resulted in two of its facilities being declared carbon neutral in 2020.
Due to its success, GABS continued onto its next project: electrical buses.
The transport company partnered with BYD (bus manufacturer) and uYilo (co-funding) to test two 100% electric buses for a 12-month period.
This is not the first time GABS has been a trailblazer in transport solutions, as it previously tested free wifi on buses and introduced the electronic smartcard fare system.
GABS operates more than 1000 peak-hour buses transporting 250 000 passengers daily.
Mitchell said his department and GABS are working together on various technology solutions to improve public transport in the Western Cape.
He said his department endorses innovative programmes such as this, given the challenges experienced by commuters in the absence of trains.
“After taking a ride in this bus, I am confident passengers will feel safe during their journey,” Mitchell said.
GABS engineer Gideon Neethling said the testing phase of the electric bus has been rigorous.
He added that there is much to be learnt about the new bus, including its electricity usage under various conditions, charge time between trips, possible scheduling challenges as a result of charge times, maintenance, battery degradation and other challenges.
African News Agency