# Queensland diesel bus procurement program > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/queensland-diesel-bus-procurement-program > Updated: 2026-09-03T19:01:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The Queensland government has initiated the ‘Better Bus Build’ program, a procurement plan to acquire up to 630 new diesel-powered buses to replace aging vehicles. The program aims to improve service reliability and accessibility, with the first buses expected to enter service during the 2027–28 financial year. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg defended the decision to utilize diesel technology, citing a lack of necessary infrastructure, such as depot upgrades and charging stations, required for electric buses. While the government intends to prioritize local providers to support state manufacturing and jobs, officials noted that the scale of the order may exceed local capacity. The focus on diesel has faced criticism from industry experts. Gareth Ridge, country director for Zenobe Energy, suggested that mandating diesel instead of using a technology-agnostic tender could be a “costly mistake for taxpayers,” arguing that a competitive market approach might yield more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Queensland launches procurement for 630 new buses Queensland has launched a procurement for up to 630 new buses, a move defended by officials as necessary for current infrastructure but criticized by industry leaders for favoring diesel over electric options. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/queensland-launches-procurement-for-630-new-buses ### 2026-09-01: Queensland government to procure 630 new diesel buses The Queensland government will procure up to 630 new diesel buses starting in the 2027-28 financial year, abandoning previous plans for an all-electric fleet due to infrastructure concerns. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/queensland-government-to-procure-630-new-diesel-buses --- Cite as: Queensland diesel bus procurement program. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/queensland-diesel-bus-procurement-program