Western Australia’s largest electric bus depot has opened in Bayswater, Perth, with charging infrastructure initially supporting up to 132 battery-electric buses and provision for future expansion to 180 vehicles.
The facility is equipped with 65 dual chargers and two single chargers. Twenty electric buses are already operating from the site as part of Transperth’s transition towards zero-emission public transport.
The depot also includes a new administration building, workshop, wash bay, vehicle yard, staff parking and additional operational infrastructure.
Transperth Fleet Surpasses 200 Electric Buses
Bayswater is the fourth Transperth facility to receive electric bus charging infrastructure, following Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and the Malaga and Karrinyup depots.
The opening coincides with Transperth surpassing 200 locally manufactured electric buses in passenger service across Perth.
The vehicles are produced by Volgren at its manufacturing facility in Malaga, Western Australia. The company stopped manufacturing diesel buses more than a year ago, with all subsequent production dedicated to electric models.
On November 2, the network also introduced Australia’s first locally manufactured electric articulated bus into passenger service. A second articulated electric bus is expected to begin operating from the Karrinyup depot in the coming weeks.
AU$250 Million Programme Expands Charging Infrastructure
The Bayswater development forms part of a joint AU$250 million initiative by the Australian and Western Australian governments to replace diesel buses and install supporting charging infrastructure across Perth.
The programme has so far delivered an initial 130 electric buses, alongside depot upgrades and charging equipment.
Construction work is also progressing at the Jandakot depot. Electrical infrastructure has been completed, while charger installation is underway. The site will receive 41 dual chargers, providing capacity for 82 electric buses, with the equipment expected to be operational by mid-2027.
Further charging infrastructure upgrades are planned at the Welshpool, Joondalup and Claisebrook depots.
Governments Support Zero-Emission Public Transport
Catherine King, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said the investment supports the transition of Perth’s public transport network away from diesel-powered operations.
The Australian and Cook Labor Governments are working together to transition the Transperth bus network to zero-emission operations. Australia’s transport sector is a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and by delivering electric bus charging infrastructure we are reducing tailpipe and noise pollution from bus operations. With the Bayswater depot now in operation, we are delivering sustainable public transport options for Perth.
The continued rollout of electric buses and depot charging facilities is expected to expand zero-emission public transport capacity across the Perth metropolitan area.