Bus Stop Sales launches new customer-centric solutions

Bus Stop Sales’ rich history is currently evolving, with the bus and coach supplier announcing multiple new developments to enhance its offerings

Operators can choose the right assembly package that works for them (Image: Bus Stop Sales)

The Australasian bus and coach industry is continuously changing. A key issue that suppliers face is the level of local content expected for long term supply contracts.

Bus Stop Sales is intent on creating leading solutions for its customer base and being flexible when it comes to supply and delivery to set a benchmark for new bus and coach models in Australia. For operators delivering contracted services across city networks and remote mining operations, this represents a compelling proposition.

“We offer our customers arguably the most extensive range of options when it comes to various stages of bus assembly,” Bus Stop Sales director Pete White told ABC.

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“Options include fully assembled in Australia or fully imported for value. We then offer a range of hybrid options in between.

“The focus for us is collaboration and clarity with the customer base to all agree and transparently communicate the level of content needed and delivered.”

While King Long remains one of the flagship brands of Bus Stop Sales, the company’s real strength now lies outside of just the one badge. The ability for Bus Stop to deliver a complete range of vehicles that are tailored to operator and government needs is at the forefront of its value offering to the local market.

From electric school buses to diesel coaches, 4WD and 2WD options, I-BUS (powered by Isuzu) and even mid-sized alternatives, White says Bus Stop Sales is offering superior flexibility across its product portfolio.

With infrastructure available to support full vehicle manufacturing, CKD (complete knockdown) and DKD (driveable knockdown) assembly, as well as fully built imports, Bus Stop Sales is a supplier capable of responding to the Australian bus and coach industry’s needs. White says the key to success is transparency between the supplier and the customer on what the required local content needs to be.

In collaboration with King Long, the company’s technical and compliance team has played a key role in co-developing a versatile hybrid bus platform designed to support a range of build options.

Whether it be starting with a driveable chassis and frame, integrating pre-assembled components or delivering a fully built solution, the combinations are designed to be flexible. From zero local content through to a local ‘hero’ configuration, Bus Stop Sales can tailor the build to meet each customer’s specific operational and compliance needs.

“When it comes to our customers, one size does not fit all – that is what sets us apart,” White says.

“This approach can accelerate local assembly timelines and reduces build risk while also allowing us to maximise Australian labour content.

“This can include the actual body build, panels, glass and paint right through to electrical integration, complete interior fit-out and compliance testing.”

Operators all around Australia choose the ideal vehicle package based on factors such as price, operational requirements, expected lifespan, local content preferences, manufacturer support and procurement policies. It signals an evolution of choice and preferences for operators to consider and include in their latest models that they order.

White says the program reflects Bus Stop Sales’ broader mission to deliver buses that are locally supported, operationally practical and engineered for the real-world needs of Australian operators and content requirements.

The company is upfront about the current realities of bus manufacturing – it says no suppliers are able to deliver a 100 per cent Australian-made bus, with new assembly options bringing flexibility to local manufacturing and supply.

“All manufacturers rely on globally sourced components from China, Europe and elsewhere. However, our focus is on transparency and balance, identifying what can genuinely be sourced and assembled locally,” White says.

“What we can offer is clarity, collaboration and the right local content for each contract.”

Through its partnership with King Long, Bus Stop Sales accesses a deep well of international research and billions of kilometres of operational trials, in addition to development and supply chain expertise. King Long’s product sourcing team is continuously looking for top-tier components from around the globe including advanced drivetrains and cutting-edge battery technologies.

“King Long is the only ZEB supplier to partner with its battery supplier with tier one aftersales support, offering superior and unmatched Australian aftersales support, for example,” White says.

“We focus on searching for the best components globally with the best support to ensure the product is world class. This is a win/win for all as bus assets need to be on the road to generate a return for the operator.

“In key ZEB drive battery and components, for example, there are no viable and reliable Australian solutions available today, and so we have to be looking at sourcing them overseas.

“Our approach is to maximise local skills, support Australian manufacturing and ensure that the end result is compliant in addition to being commercially and operationally viable.”

As is seen across most industries in Australia, the current skills shortage in the bus and coach industry and elsewhere is proving to be a hinderance. With driver shortages leaving operators short-changed, and with a drop in apprentices picking up the tools, the question on a lot of people’s minds is how these important people can be brought back onboard.

For Bus Stop Sales, who has seen a shortage in fabrication and mechanical expertise, the company has looked outside traditional channels to try and find a solution.

Launching its own ‘Future Leaders’ program back in 2022, the company is committing to bringing on more apprentices to find “the next generation of tradesmen and women”.

“Future leaders is about providing career pathways that are supported and attractive to candidates,” White says.

“Attracting talent to our industry is crucial and encouraging non-traditional candidates is important for us.

“Today, we have a diverse range of apprentices including women, Indigenous Australians and mature age staff.”

This focus on skills development is closely aligned with the company’s ambitious expansion plans. With cutting-edge facilities already operating in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and new expansion planned for both South Australia and Western Australia, Bus Stop Sales is positioning itself to meet growing demand nationwide while also creating local jobs.

“Our investment in people and infrastructure goes hand-in-hand,” White says.

“By growing our facilities and expanding our reach, we provide more opportunities for apprentices to gain hands-on experience and become an integral part of the industry’s future.”

While plans for SA and WA are well underway, the company has also been making moves in New South Wales. White recently announced that a larger site is on the way to better serve the state and its operators.

The new facility will support Bus Stop Sales’ growing local assembly program and further enhance its ability to offer “genuine Australian content”, something the company says sets it apart in a competitive market.

It is only the start of an ambitious scheme to develop and evolve the Bus Stop Sales name in Australia so that it can entrench itself as the go-to bus and coach supplier in the country.

“With our local assembly program and genuine Australian content options, we’re delivering real value, not smoke and mirrors,” White says.

“My family has been manufacturing buses for over 40 years and that experience is built into everything we do.

“This new site is just phase one of an exciting plan to increase support for bus operators and the industry partners we’ve proudly worked alongside with for years.”