Exciting trial for new school bus

13 June 2020

A Queensland-designed school bus which can safely carry 85 seated students and is wheelchair accessible is being trialled by Kangaroo Bus Lines (KBL) and the Palaszczuk Government.

The six-month trial of the low-floor, high-capacity bus, manufactured by Brisbane company Denning, will determine if the new vehicle is suited for wider use in South East Queensland.

State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said the new KBL bus can carry 85 primary school students – all seated and wearing seatbelts – and was ideally suited for longer, high-loading school services outside metropolitan areas.

Mr Ryan said the new bus would also be utilised for rail replacement services during times when Queensland Rail schedule track closures for maintenance.

"KBL's Denning bus provides a great mix which can work for school runs and rail replacement services, while the low floor means it is accessible for wheelchairs and compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act," he said.

"It's tremendous to have a Queensland-designed and built bus for Queenslanders."

Based in Burpengary, Kangaroo Bus Lines operates in the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast council regions, providing 60 school runs to 4500 students each day as well as urban services.

KBL chief executive Darren Webster said the Denning bus will initially take students to and from Burpengary State School.

"We are extremely confident this bus will provide the capacity required in our school bus fleet, while ensuring we comply with DDA," Mr Webster said.

"KBL has had a long history of running buses built by Denning, and we are excited to welcome this one into the fleet.”

For more information, please visit the KBL website at www.kangaroobuslines.com.au or contact TransLink Media on 0421 581 803.