Zero-emission buses sought sooner

A switch from fossil-fuel to zero-emission buses by Environment Canterbury (ECan) is requested sooner than planned.

The Christchurch City Council wants ECan to change its policy to favour companies providing electric or zero-emission vehicles, and introduce them earlier than ECan’s planned 2030 target for emission-free public transport.

The council wants “real incentives” put in place to ensure a transition to electric buses begins in 2020, Stuff reports

A draft Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan, released by ECan in September for consultation, proposed sweeping changes to the region’s public transport network within the next 30 years.

But Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel says the draft would still allow fossil-fuel vehicles to dominate the fleet for the next nine years.

The city council’s submission calls on ECan to change its procurement policy to favour companies providing electric or zero-emission vehicles.

ECan is reviewing service contracts in 2020 but the council wants a mechanism built into the procurement policy well before then.

The council needs to remind ECan the city has an aim of being carbon neutral by 2050, councillor Vicki Buck says.

“There is no chance in hell of getting there unless partners like ECan play their part.”

The submission says the public have a “real desire” for a zero-emission bus fleet.

The council also wants ECan to hold more free bus days to promote public transport.

Buses were free on September 22 to mark World Car-Free Day, and to publicise the draft regional public transport plan, with patronage soaring 60% on the day.

Dalziel is keen to see all major events in the central city supported by free buses.

Councillor Pauline Cotter says the Government could look at bulk purchasing electric buses and leasing them to councils across the country.

Submissions to the draft transport plan closed on October 14 with more than 600 received.

Christchurch’s first fully electric urban bus service starts in March 2019 when Red Bus introduces three electric buses on its direct service route 29 between the city’s downtown and Christchurch airport.