Perth's largest EV bus depot now operating

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.

The upgrades are part of a $250 million State and Federal Government initiative to phase out diesel buses and deliver new electric bus charging infrastructure across Perth.

This joint investment has delivered an initial 130 electric buses, and associated charging infrastructure and depot upgrades across Perth.

Bayswater is the fourth site to be equipped with electric bus charging infrastructure, following Elizabeth Quay Bus Station, Malaga and Karrinyup bus depots.

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 electric bus program represents a significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission public transport in WA, delivering long-term environmental and economic benefits for the State.