26 Scanias: 2022-23

[Barry Drive]

Topic for reporting sightings and similar for the 26 new leased Scania K320UBs

[Barry Drive]

Since, apparently, no one else wants to mention it: we have a sighting of a new Scania.

There was a new Bustech Scania seen at Tuggeranong Depot this week: Bus 722.

The contract has not been updated, so there is no revised delivery schedule available. The last schedule had buses arriving approximately every 5 days - with gaps in between. I would expect their goal would be around 3 buses every 2 weeks - that will make the final delivery due in early June.

[triumph]

Wondered what would show up if BUS722 was entered into ACT rego search. Expected nothing if not yet registered, but guess what, the 9yr plus retired Renault 722 showed up noted not registered. On reflection, not surprising as the registration history of a vehicle would need to be retained.

[Barry Drive]

In February, Chris Steel provided the Legislative Assembly with a progress report for the bus procurement.

An excerpt of that speech has been published on ACT Bus for posterity.

To summarise the summary: delivery of the 26 Scanias is expected to finish in July 2023; all 26 chassis have been delivered to BusTech; the delays at BusTech were caused by a number of factors including sourcing steel components, delayed air-conditioning parts, delayed glass and electrical harness components and defects in the fibreglass panels resulting in re-fit and replacement.

It was suggested that the body build be split between Adelaide and Gold Coast, but the report does not say whether this actually occurred – it may have been too difficult if the chassis have all been sent to Adelaide.

The Human Rights Commission was contacted and an exemption (from the DDA deadline) was sought due to the delays in delivery. It is not stated for how long the exemption was granted – but presumably it's until all buses are delivered.

[Barry Drive]

And Chris Steel has provided another update (on 6 June 2023). To summarise: there are continuing supply chain issues and skills shortages. And additional delays caused by Bustech having to relocate their Queensland HQ.

They decided against changing suppliers as it would not ensure quicker deliveries.

Anyway, the latest plan is for deliveries to be completed by November 2023. That's an average of one per week.

[triumph]

And Chris Steel has provided another update (on 6 June 2023). To summarise: there are continuing supply chain issues and skills shortages. And additional delays caused by Bustech having to relocate their Queensland HQ.

They decided against changing suppliers as it would not ensure quicker deliveries.

Anyway, the latest plan is for deliveries to be completed by November 2023. That's an average of one per week.

It is now a month since 728 was delivered and 2 months (almost) since 727 was delivered. One per week at the moment seems rather optimistic. So the Renaults might perhaps also be with us into next year....

[Barry Drive]

Indeed.

The ACT Legislative Assembly sits again from next week. I will have to check Hansard to see if Minister Steel makes yet another announcement about "supply chain problems."

Meanwhile, we should also look out for 4 Custom Denning Elements arriving late September. Their arrival might just be enough for the Renaults to be retired by the end of Term 4 - assuming we start to receive more Scanias soon. (Still 17 Renaults in service.)

The title of this topic may be adjusted at a later date.

[Barry Drive]

One per week at the moment seems rather optimistic.

I did say "on average".

Anyway: there are now 13 weeks until the end of November. In the unlikely event that BusTech can produce one bus per week, we can achieve the promised withdrawal of remaining Renaults by November (or early December).

I'm not aware of Chris Steel making any further announcements in the Assembly regarding this, but will check Hansard when it's available.

[Barry Drive]

There was a further announcement by the minister on Tuesday (24 Oct) - refer to this article on the website.

It's mostly a rehash of the previous statement - supply chain, etc. - but the key message is: of the 17 Scanias still due to be delivered, 9 will arrive before the end of the year (if you can believe it) with the remaining 8 in early 2024.

[triumph]

It's mostly a rehash of the previous statement - supply chain, etc. - but the key message is: of the 17 Scanias still due to be delivered, 9 will arrive before the end of the year (if you can believe it) with the remaining 8 in early 2024.

Not looking good. It is now 9 weeks since last delivery, BUS730. It is always possible though, that they will turn up as a bunch or only a day or two apart.

[Busnerd]

Perhaps they should have ordered some more Elements given they managed to deliver four in the time BusTech delivered one bus.

[triumph]

Perhaps they should have ordered some more Elements given they managed to deliver four in the time BusTech delivered one bus.

Seem to recall that quite a while back there was some doubt as to whether the Element order had even proceeded related to ability to supply.
Also it was reported that when the Scania delay became apparent that the Gov looked into getting an alternative supply with improved delivery with no practical success.
(People commentating on media articles enjoy labelling this as a failure of the Minister/Government but what in reality can be done if a Contracted performance is not met and other potential contractors can't do better? The reality is it is an industry failure.)