12 new Red Buses added to NZ's most modern commercial fleet

New Zealand's second biggest public transport company today announced the addition of 12 super new low floor buses to its fleet.

By sinking a further $3.6 million into upgrading, Red Bus has significantly improved operations in providing a better quality public transport service for people in Christchurch. Red Bus Ltd has invested almost $15 million into its service in the last three years.

Nine of the buses have super low floors with 39 seats and will operate on a variety of Red Bus Metro routes throughout the city. The other three vehicles are super low floor, twin axle, air conditioned 51-seaters dedicated to Red Bus's new City Flyer service.

The City Flyer airport shuttle service was launched yesterday and has become the fastest, cleanest-burning, quietest, air-conditioned airport shuttle in New Zealand.

All of Red Bus's vehicles now run on low sulphur diesel which is 80 percent cleaner burning than regular diesel used in other vehicles.

Their 12 new German sourced MAN buses have had their bodies built by Designline of Ashburton.

``They meet the latest stringent emission standard with more efficient engines that produce fewer particulates, smoke and CO2,'' chief executive Greg Campbell said today.

``These buses have a distinctive modern shape with large single piece windscreens. They offer a smoother ride and the front axles have been upgraded which means we can carry more passengers.

``Slightly different branding has been applied to the livery of the new vehicles. The front and back of the buses have a more modern, clean look visually and we have been told the vehicles look more friendly.''

Overall the new vehicles offer a quieter, smoother ride for passengers in a more environmentally efficient way.

New Zealand's second biggest public bus fleet today launched its new Red Bus City Flyer airport shuttle service.

Earlier this year Red Bus stepped in to help clean up Christchurch winter smog problem by switching to a new cleaner burning diesel.

All Red Bus's 180 buses are running on 80 percent less sulphur than regular diesel. No other bus company in New Zealand has as many clean burning buses in their fleet.

Red Bus was the first major transport company in New Zealand this year to run all their buses on the healthier lower sulphur fuel.

Their decision to run their fleet on more environmentally friendly fuel will remove 4.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from Christchurch's air each year.

Red Buses move 11.5 million passengers a year in Christchurch. The Christchurch City Council-owned company, with 350 staff, have spent $11 million on new buses in the last three years.

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