Wellington’s airport connection is back with 10 electric buses

Metlink’s Airport Express is now running 10 fully electric buses between Wellington Railway Station and Wellington International Airport. 

The fleet is operating every 10-20 minutes, seven days a week, providing a much needed service to the region after NZ Bus stopped operating the capital’s airport connection in late 2020. 

Transport minister Michael Wood says the Airport Express aligned with the Government’s goal of decarbonising the national bus fleet by 2035.

“With electric vehicles, we safeguard our climate and the future of Wellington as an international destination.

“By working as a unit, we have connected our rail and bus networks to the airport, extending an electric welcome to visitors and a carbon free farewell,” Wood says. 

Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter said with New Zealand’s borders open to the world and domestic flights returning to pre-COVID levels, Metlink’s Airport Express will boost Wellington’s value as a regional hub for air travel. 

“The regional rail network and airport are now connected by affordable, state of the art public transport,” Ponter says. 

In a first for buses in the capital, Airport Express fares can be purchased with a contactless debit or credit card.

Metlink general manager Samantha Gain says passengers could also pay cash or use a Snapper card.

“Tagging on and off with Snapper gives Airport Express passengers a discount. It also enables us to collect data and respond to customer demand that might require adjustments to our train and bus timetables to connect with flights,” Gain says. 

The buses are equipped with free wi-fi, USB chargers and luggage racks. 

Recently purchased by Transdev, service operator Mana Newlands has been connecting Metlink passengers to Wellington’s northern suburbs for 30 years.

Transdev Australia chief executive Luke Agati says he’s delighted those connections are now extended to the airport by an environmentally friendly fleet.

“We’re proud to run a fully-electric bus service in Wellington, complementing our EV fleets in Europe, all of which contribute to our goal of enabling zero emission transport,” Agati says.