The New South Wales Government has unveiled plans to invest AU$6.5 billion over the next decade to accelerate the transition of its public transport system to electric buses, marking one of Australia’s largest clean transport investments.
The funding package, announced as part of the 2026–27 state budget, will support the purchase of at least 1,700 new electric buses and the construction or upgrade of 17 bus depots equipped with charging infrastructure across Sydney and other parts of the state.
State officials say the initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on imported diesel fuel, cutting transport emissions and supporting the growth of Australia’s domestic bus manufacturing industry. The programme also forms part of a broader effort to modernise public transport while creating jobs in low-carbon industries.
The investment builds on existing electric bus projects already underway, including the development of the Macquarie Park electric bus depot in Sydney, which is expected to become one of the largest dedicated electric bus charging facilities in the Southern Hemisphere.
Authorities said the long-term plan will help deliver the state’s goal of fully electrifying bus services across Greater Sydney by 2035. The current network operates thousands of buses, most of which still rely on diesel engines.
In addition to acquiring new vehicles, the programme will fund major upgrades to depot infrastructure, including high-capacity charging systems, grid connections and energy management technology needed to support large-scale electric bus operations.
The government believes the transition will lower operating costs over time, reduce exposure to fuel price volatility and deliver cleaner, quieter public transport services for commuters across the state.
