Samenvatting
The Australian bus and coach industry exhibits a number of significant differences from those of europe. In particular, vast distances and low population densities contribute to the need for different types of vehicles and operations. From being a follower of other countries' trends, Australia has now taken the lead in a number of fields. The large scale operation of buses powered by compressed natural gas, the evaluation of 14.5 metre long rigid buses and coaches in various types of operation, followed recently by production orders and the adoption of strenuous new vehicle safety regulations in advance of the rest of the world are notable developments. (A)