Matt Threlkeld, Executive Director of BusNSW said Busways won the award for its commitment to the environment and innovation with a proven approach to testing, trialling and adopting new technologies to make customer experience improvements and address environmental issues.
“Busways has spearheaded many innovations, including the development of specialist charging optimisation solutions for Zero Emissions Buses; trialling the first Australian made electric bus in Penrith; introducing smart depot systems integrated with custom business software for efficiencies; and testing and trialling automated bus transport with BusBot in Coffs Harbour,” Mr Threlkeld said.
“Busways helped lead the development of on-demand transport in Sydney, with its western Sydney Cooee Busways service carrying over 325,000 passengers since 2019, named the gold standard in on-demand by global management consultant LEK Consulting, also winning Australian Business Awards for Service Innovation and CX Management."
Sam Farraway, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads presented the BusNSW Environment and Innovation Award to Busways Managing Director Byron Rowe at the BusNSW Industry Gala Dinner during the Australasian Bus and Coach Expo.
Mr Rowe welcomed the Award saying Busways has had an amazing and passionate team, and it is that passion that drives innovation, “so this Award is for them!”
“This month we are celebrating 80 years since my Pop, Dick Rowe, started delivering our first passenger transport service on a five-seater Chrysler 70 that he modified with a wartime-mandated gas producer, a washing machine-sized device that converted charcoal to fuel,” Mr Rowe said.
“Things have changed a lot since then, but one thing that stays the same is our huge focus on continuous improvement and innovation,” he said.
“Our team works hard at listening to customers and working closely with our manufacturers, industry partners and clients to innovate in new fleet design, onboard technology and safety, embracing future mobility and new technologies, all to keep providing a more sustainable bus service and a better journey experience for our customers.”
Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2022, Busways is the largest wholly-Australian bus operator carrying over 26 million passengers a year, with a fleet of over 1,300 and 2600 employees in two states.
