Public transport operator Kinetic, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, has opened a new purpose-built bus depot in Preston, Victoria, designed to support the rollout of zero-emission buses across Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
The depot will accommodate up to 58 battery-electric buses and is the first in Victoria to feature an overhead gantry charging system, Kinetic said. The design allows charging infrastructure to be suspended above vehicles, reducing the need for ground-mounted equipment and enabling higher vehicle density and operational flexibility within the depot.
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“The overhead gantry charging system delivers real operational benefits — from maximising depot space to reducing vehicle damage risks — while setting a new benchmark for electric bus depots across the country,” said Kayne Baas, Kinetic’s executive general manager for electrification.
According to the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, the electric buses based at the Preston site are expected to travel more than 2.8 million kilometres annually. The vehicles will progressively replace older diesel buses and operate on routes serving areas including Moonee Ponds, the University of Melbourne and Reservoir.
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The Preston depot forms part of Melbourne’s Metropolitan Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) franchise contracts, which aim to convert around one-third of the city’s metropolitan bus fleet to zero-emission operation by 2035. The facility also supports workforce development, with five additional maintenance staff undergoing training to work with high-voltage electric drivetrains and charging systems.
Kinetic said it now operates more than 1,500 zero-emission buses across 33 ZEB depots globally. “Preston is a prime example of how we’re turning that vision into reality – bringing global expertise and proven technology to deliver cleaner, quieter journeys for local communities,” said Michael Sewards, group chief executive of Kinetic.