Some of the Go West management team got up close to electric and autonomous buses during a recent trip to bus supplier Yutong’s factory in Zhengzhou, China.

General Manager David Haoust and Maintenance Manager Darren Babich viewed the production line and testing facilities and were passengers in an autonomous bus.

They also inspected the T12 bus, a new European coach designed for Australia.

“The production line takes about five hours to build a bus with 15 workers around 15 stations,” David said. “It is a very impressive and efficient precision operation.”

Photo: Go West Tours Maintenance Manager Darren Babich inspects the coaches in China.

Go West’s mechanical services division continues to grow with a number of new staff joining the ranks.

The Bunbury depot welcomes Leading Hand Jason Millar who has relocated from Karratha and controls the work flow in the workshop.

Kim Williams is a mechanic with 35 years of experience at Loves Bus Service. Mechanics Jason Ugle and Michael Harris and panel beater Allan Giupo make up the rest of the team.

Photo: Jason Miller, Kim Williams, Jason Ugle, Allan Giupo and Michael Harris from the Bunbury depot.

Go West Tours has secured another contract with mining giant South32 Worsley Alumina, transporting employees from Mandurah to its Boddington Bauxite Mine operations.

In addition, Go West has been awarded a three year contract extension to transport employees from Bunbury to and from Worsley’s alumina refinery near Collie.

Go West has bought the latest, state-of-the-art coach for the Boddington transfers. The coach boasts the latest safety features in braking and stability control, driver fatigue monitoring systems and the latest high end European comforts.

Another two of these coaches will be purchased for the alumina refinery route in the next year.

“Go West prides itself on offering the latest technologies and safety innovations to provide the best possible service to its clients,” said General Manager David Haoust.

“The advances we are continually making in the products and services we provide sets us apart in tendering processes and makes Go West highly competitive across Australia.”

Photo: Go West Accounts Officer Joanna Inman tries out the seats on the new coach that will be used to transfer South32 Worsley Alumina employees.

Parents of children using the school bus service have been enjoying the convenience of GPS tracking in recent months.

Go West is trialling giving access to parents to use the GPS on the school bus run in Dardanup, which allows them to track the bus and time their drop-offs and pick-ups.

All Go West buses are fitted with GPS tracking to allow clients to view buses and track progress and scheduling.

The GPS also measures vehicle speed, driving behaviours and travel routes.

Nine new buses have been added to the Go West fleet.

The Bus and Coach International 2018 models have the latest safety features, electronic braking systems and were selected for their exceptional remote area capability.

The latest acquisitions are part of a company fleet replacement strategy to streamline the fleet, phasing out Daewoo coaches and using BCI vehicles across the operation.

“These coaches have the latest innovations and comfort features and will ensure that our fleet is one of the most modern in Australia,” said General Manager David Haoust.