10 May 2007

Wellington to get 61 new trolley buses

A significant step forward in the provision of better service, better reliability and greater environmental sustainability for Wellington’s bus services was taken today when the Greater Wellington Regional Council and NZ Bus signed a contract that will see 61 new trolley buses on the road in Wellington as part of the Metlink network.

The new 49-seat buses, costing $460,000 each, will not only provide environmental benefits but will be a significant step up in terms of passenger comfort and reliability. Two prototypes will be on the road in August this year, and delivery of the remainder of the fleet will take place over two years starting in February next year.

NZ Bus has been able to place the order for the new buses because it has signed a contract with Greater Wellington Regional Council that provides long term funding for services on the trolley bus routes. Under the contract, the Regional Council will pay NZ Bus approximately $4.5 million a year, which is funded 50% by ratepayers and 50% by the Government operating through Land Transport New Zealand.

At present the trolley bus services carry about 8 million passenger trips each year. The new buses will have 20% more capacity than the old trolley buses, and this will enable significant growth in the number of passengers without increasing the number of buses on the road.

Chair of the Greater Regional Council, Ian Buchanan, said today at the launch: “This is a special occasion for us and is the culmination of a great deal of work by the Council and its officers, and a good working relationship with NZ Bus. The signing of the contract heralds a new era for Metlink – Greater Wellington’s public transport network, where people are very shortly going to see real improvements in comfort and reliability.”

The CEO of NZ Bus, Bill Rae, said: “This agreement reflects the cooperative relationships that exist between the parties. The private and public sectors have worked collaboratively to improve Wellington’s public transport. Since Infratil became our owner we have been encouraged to make our goal the provision of the world’s best bus service for a city the size and form of Wellington. The renewal of the trolley fleet is one step; we are working on a lot of other improvements. Wellingtonians catch the bus more than any other population in New Zealand or Australia. We intend to reward our customers by making their trips more reliable and pleasant”.

The contract was officially signed at a celebration held on one of Wellington’s existing 26-year-old trolley buses and was formally witnessed by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Annette King. Ms King said at the launch: “Anything we can do as a country to reduce CO2 emissions, to move toward renewable energy sources, and to increase the use of public transport is to be applauded. That’s why today is such a great day, and why Wellington and NZ Bus should be congratulated for its enterprise and initiative.

"I want to particularly acknowledge Land Transport New Zealand for their
hard work over the past year, and Greater Wellington Regional Council for
negotiating this contract with NZ Bus. Together, we have ensured trolley
buses remain on Wellington’s roads."

Trolley buses have been part of the Wellington’s landscape since 1924. The oldest of the current fleet was introduced in 1980. Designline will manufacture the new buses in Ashburton.

ENDS

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