Solar-powered bus takes first passengers

An electric bus that runs completely on solar-generated power hit the streets of Brisbane on Monday after impressive performance in trials.

Transport company Transdev contributed about 100 buses to TransLink’s fleet and, in September last year, started trialling the new bus that runs on batteries charged by stored solar power.

The bus took to the streets with regular customers on Monday, taking on route 254 between Capalaba and Wellington Point.

Transdev chief engineer Marc Cleave said the bus performed well during the trial period, and he was confident it could handle regular use ferrying passengers around Brisbane and its surrounds.

“It’s got the range, it can travel…