Govt motors towards zero-carbon buses

Public consultation on achieving the Government’s target of fully decarbonising the public transport bus fleet by 2035 closes on June 18. 

Transport minister Michael Wood wants feedback on that and options for the next phase of the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) review to better protect bus drivers’ pay conditions.

“Bus drivers play a key role in keeping our cities moving, getting commuters to work and giving Kiwis travel choices,” Wood says.

“Ensuring bus driver wages and conditions are protected whenever councils contract bus services are important.

“I will consider all the options in the review, including amending the Land Transport Management Act or adding public transport bus drivers to Schedule 1A of the Employment Relations Act.”

Wood says he’s working with employers, unions, and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on establishing a Living Wage floor for drivers.

“But I know more change is needed to tackle chronic driver shortages and service disruptions.

“We can accelerate our COVID recovery while providing cleaner public transport infrastructure to tackle climate change. We will prevent up to 4.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions with councils only purchasing zero emissions public transport buses from 2025 and decarbonising the entire bus fleet by 2035. “

About $50 million has been committed to help councils make the switch, Wood says.

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