Some of the country’s leading bus manufacturers and suppliers have once again donated their time, expertise and materials for the annual BIC Auction Bus.
A 12.5-metre school bus, go under the hammer on Wednesday (November 20) during the Big Arvo Out Bus Auction, a highlight of the BIC Australasian Bus Conference in Canberra.
Proceeds from the auction will go to BIC and organisers are encouraging operators to dig deep and push the bidding up close to the $400,000 mark.
Iveco Bus National Manager Steve Heanes said this will be the 14th time that the bus industry has combined to produce an Auction Bus.
“Since the first Auction Bus was produced in 2004 we’ve successfully raised in excess of a million dollars, which goes directly to BIC’s industry advocacy efforts.
“It’s a unique way for a wide range of companies to work together and we’re extremely thankful for the generous contribution that businesses make on such a fine vehicle.”
Heanes said the chassis and body are 100 percent designed and manufactured in Australia and showcase the manufacturing capabilities within the country.
“This year we had 28 or
ganisations donating their time and efforts and the end product is a perfectly turned out 57-seat school bus that’s fully TfNSW compliant,” Heanes said.
The aluminium-bodied Volgren Endura is built on an Iveco Delta Graduate chassis and powered by a 320hp Cummins Euro5 engine and Allison transmission.
The bus includes lift up access and wheel arch panels, McConnell Educator 2/3 seatbelted seats, Bridgestone tyres, Alcoa Aluminium rims, Valeo air-conditioning system, Fogmaker Australia fire suppression, Mobileye™ Advanced Driver Assistance System, Mobitec electronic destination, Thoreb CCTV, electric mirrors, DVD and reversing camera.
The bus was assembled at Volgren’s Dandenong manufacturing facility, taking six weeks to build from chassis to completion.
Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro said the Auction Bus was a great way for Volgren to work with partners and support the wider bus industry.
“Buses are a critical layer of any public transport sector and it’s through initiatives like the Auction Bus that companies can contribute to a stronger, healthier and more sustainable bus sector,” Deiro said.
Delegates interested in making a bid can attend the Big Arvo Out Bus Auction on Wednesday 20 November from 12.30pm to 4pm or contact Iveco staff beforehand on 1800 602 287 or by emailing ivecobusenquiries@cnhind.com
The BIC Auction Bus wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the following companies: Iveco Bus, Volgren, McConell Seats Australia, Fogmaker Australia Pty Ltd, Constructive Composites Australia, Camira Group, Alcoa Wheel Products Australia, Bridgestone, Allison Transmission, AME Systems, Hilton Manufacturing, SMC Pneumatics Australia, Australian General Engineering, Mobitec Australia, Cummins Engine Company, Transcal Signage, Thoreb Australia, All Transport Flooring, Mobileye, Sika Australia, Valeo, The Shotton Group, Lumen Australia, R P Wallis Wholesale, InterVOLT and Brown & Watson International (Narva).
