More Other David Meads
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Bob
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The year ahead
With governments Australia-wide committed to continuing their record
investment in new infrastructure and services, chassis suppliers and
body builders — key beneficiaries of the public transport revival —
are anticipating demand for new vehicles to remain strong.
Volvo Bus Australia General Manager ** David Mead** expects 2010 to
surpass the company’s record sales of 2009, underpinned by maintenance
of historically high government funding — as well as strong sales of
new models.
Custom Coaches’ Chief Executive Mark Burgess also expects market
conditions in 2010 to be similar to 2009: "It might drop off a few
percent, but demand for route and school buses [will] continue to be
strong and most government agencies are looking for more buses, not
less".
MAN Automotive Imports (MAI) National Operations Manager Mark Mello is
also optimistic about the year ahead, albeit with some caution.
"2010 may be an interesting year in respect to funding of passenger
transport. From what we see in the market, the demand is still strong
for more services and increasing patronage will keep this trend going.
"Where MAI see a risk is governments’ ability to keep to its current
level of commitment to public transport.
"Whilst the bus industry thus far seems virtually unaffected by the
GFC, other areas of the country have not been, and governments at both
a state and federal level have expended considerable amounts of cash
to keep the economy rolling along via infrastructure projects and the
like.
"This spending, MAI feel, may take its toll and may start to manifest
itself in the form of spending cut backs during 2010 and this will no
doubt effect the expenditure on public transport.
"It will be interesting to see if budgetary numbers change in the
coming year," he says.