Western Australia’s newest and largest electric vehicle (EV) bus depot has been unveiled in Bayswater to support Perth’s transition to a fully electric bus fleet.
It comes as Transperth has marked another major milestone, with more than 200 locally made electric buses now in service on Perth roads.
Bayswater is the fourth site to be equipped with electric bus charging infrastructure, following Elizabeth Quay Bus Station, Malaga and Karrinyup bus depots.
“To support our growing electric fleet, we need quality EV charging infrastructure which is why we’re rolling out upgrades to depots across Perth,” said WA Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“Bayswater is now our biggest EV bus depot delivered as part of our joint investment with the Australian Government.
“Building electric buses in WA is another way we’re supporting Western Australian jobs, while ensuring our world-class public transport network is sustainable for the future.”
The new Bayswater EV bus depot has been upgraded with 65 dual and two single electric bus chargers, with 20 electric buses currently operating out of the depot.
The depot has a capacity to support an initial 132 electric buses with a long-term capacity of 180 electric buses.
The project has also delivered a new administration building, workshop and wash bay, depot yard, bus and staff parking areas, landscaping, security fencing, line marking and associated site infrastructure.
The final diesel Transperth bus was manufactured more than a year ago, and every new bus added to the fleet since has been an electric vehicle locally built in Malaga.
More than 200 electric buses have now been delivered, including Australia’s first locally made electric articulated ‘bendy’ bus which entered passenger service on Monday, 2 November.
The second articulated EV bus will start passenger service from Karrinyup bus depot in the coming weeks.
The upgrade of the Jandakot EV bus depot is also underway, with connection works completed and charger installation in progress.
The charging network will be progressively brought online, with all 41 dual chargers expected to be operational by mid-2027, providing charging capacity for 82 electric buses.
Planning is also underway for upgrades to support EV buses at Welshpool, Joondalup and Claisebrook.
The upgrades are part of a $250 million WA and Federal Government initiative to phase out diesel buses and deliver new electric bus charging infrastructure across Perth.
“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,” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King.
“With the Bayswater depot now in operation, we are delivering sustainable public transport options for Perth.”
This joint investment has delivered an initial 130 electric buses, and associated charging infrastructure and depot upgrades across Perth.
