Press Release – 27 August 2015

New Wellington bus depot officially opened

Today the Minister of Transport Hon Simon Bridges officially opened NZ Bus’ new depot in Kaiwharawhara, Wellington. The strategic location of the depot, near the Wellington Railway Station, provides operational efficiencies and complements the city’s planned network changes.

NZ Bus Chief Executive Zane Fulljames says the depot is part of NZ Bus’ wider investment in new infrastructure to support Wellington’s future public transport needs.

“NZ Bus is Wellington’s major public transport operator, and the opening of this new depot reflects our ongoing commitment to modernising Wellington’s bus network to make it more efficient, reliable and accessible for everyone,” said Mr Fulljames.

NZ Bus has made major capital improvements to the tune of $4 million to ensure the depot is purpose-built to the highest industry standards. Maintenance facilities include a four-bay workshop with a vehicle hoist, mechanics’ pits and a steam-clean area.

“Our investment in fleet maintenance at the new depot will help ensure buses are thoroughly maintained, which reflects our emphasis on safety as an absolute priority for the 20 million passenger trips our buses do each year,” said Mr Fulljames.

NZ Bus is also embarking on a process to modernise its existing Kilbirnie depot, which will be refurbished with modern facilities, including the ability to accommodate new types of buses such as double-deckers.

The Kaiwharawhara depot will provide important extra capacity while the Kilbirnie depot refurbishments are taking place over 2016-17.

The location of the new depot also fits with the city’s planned changes to the public transport network by supporting ‘the Spine’ and Airport Flyer, while the Kilbirnie depot will continue to support the East/West and North/South Corridors.

“Being situated in a different part of the city, the new depot complements the existing depot nicely. It’s close vicinity to the Wellington Railway Station also produces operational efficiencies, as buses will have less distance to travel from the station where many start and end their journey,” said Mr Fulljames.

ENDS

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