More electric and low emission buses for Christchurch

Environment Canterbury has awarded 80% of the Greater Christchurch urban bus market to Go Bus which plans to introduce 25 new electric buses and 39 new low emission Euro 6 standard buses.

The new contracts will reduce public transport CO2 emissions by 14% within the first year, the regional council known as ECan says.

Red Bus retains 20% of the urban market and Ritchies Transport will operate school services.

It represents a significant step forward for Greater Christchurch ratepayers, who will have environmental, service and financial benefits under the terms of the new contracts, ECan deputy chair Peter Scott says.

“Resoundingly, through our Regional Public Transport Plan consultation, our community told us they desire a fleet of environmentally friendly, low emission vehicles that offer a smooth and comfortable ride,” he says.

“Through these new contracts, we are beginning a transformation of the public transport experience; new, modern buses with a reduced emissions profile and all the conveniences our customers expect.

“The award of these contracts enables Environment Canterbury to maintain the momentum of change needed in our public transport system.”

The new contracts start in November and introduction of the new vehicles will be staggered over the first year.

“In considering the appropriate use of ratepayer funds, our transition to a zero-emissions fleet is best achieved via this low emissions pathway, enabling us to balance the need to invest in more buses to make public transport more attractive and carry more people, while also progressively implementing zero-emission vehicles,” Scott says.

“These contracts provide us the ability to migrate to newer electric or hydrogen technologies in the coming years.”

He says to accommodate that the introduction of an additional 28 new vehicles will be staggered over the next two years with further vehicle replacements in years three to five of the contracts.

More than half of the new vehicles will be manufactured in Rolleston.

The total package (excluding the ferry service), worth $61.5 million, sees an increased contract price of $2.2 million which is a 3.7% increase on current contract price, ECan says.

The new contracts retain a portion of the existing fleet and enable their gradual replacement with low emission and zero emission buses, it adds.

Also included is an option for ECan to enable a faster transition to an even greater number of low emission vehicles, if the community, through the upcoming Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation, supports this.

Christchurch will have 28 electric buses, including the three already in service, bringing the EV total to 14% of the fleet.

The new buses have air conditioning, three bike racks on each, USB ports, and copper-free brake pads.