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Left to Right Ross Martin CEO Infratil Public Transport, His Worship the Mayor George Wood, John Taylor, Manager North Star.

Media Statement – North Star

December 4 2006

North Star – New Name, New Look for North Shore and Hibiscus Coast Buses

North Star will be the new name for the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast bus service which previously operated under the Stagecoach name. As well as being renamed, the Infratil-owned bus service will undertake a full rebrand – with a new logo, new yellow and blue livery and a repaint of all its 120 North Shore and Hibiscus Coast buses.

“The new buses look great. They’ve got a lot more personality and they have a real North Shore and Hibiscus Coast theme about them,” said North Star Manager, John Taylor.

“The art work on the new buses makes a real feature of Rangitoto and the hibiscus flower as Shore icons, along with the beach and attractions that make the North Shore such a great place to live,” said Mr Taylor. “Our staff, who are North Shore and Hibiscus Coast locals themselves, helped choose the new name and bus livery. They are really enthusiastic about the business adopting its new local identity.”

The first new buses were unveiled today at a launch event attended by North Shore Mayor George Wood, representatives from Auckland Regional Transport Authority, local businesses, North Star staff and members of the Northern Force Netball Squad.

The entire North Star fleet should be repainted by June.

“We believe local identity is important to a public transport company. It can only help get more people on the bus,” said Ross Martin, Executive Chairman of Infratil Public Transport.

“We see a great future for the North Star business, and we intend to make some significant investments to support the new brand,” said Mr Martin.

The North Star rebrand will include new uniforms for staff, new tickets, and all new marketing and branding collateral. North Star will continue with its programme of interior bus refurbishment and bus replacement. The few remaining older buses will be replaced as part of the rebranding exercise.

All of the former Stagecoach bus services are being re-branded. North Star is the first Auckland service to be renamed, with other services to receive their makeover in 2007.

New Zealand listed infrastructure investment company, Infratil, bought Stagecoach New Zealand, from its former Scottish owner last year.

ENDS

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