Timaru’s MyWay service to go fully electric

Timaru’s MyWay by Metro on-demand public transport service will soon operate a fully electric fleet, with ten new electric vehicles set to join the network.

Canterbury Regional Council public transport core service lead councillor Joe Davies says the addition marks a significant milestone for the service.

“This milestone means that our regular MyWay fleet will soon be fully electric, while two of our previous vehicles will remain on standby as spares.

“Transitioning MyWay to a fully electric fleet is a strong example of how regional investment can deliver practical emissions reductions while improving everyday services for our communities. It supports our wider transport and climate objectives and demonstrates the value of planning for long term, low carbon outcomes,” Davies says.

Six of the new vehicles, described as “very small buses” (VSBs), are the first of their kind in New Zealand, while the remaining four are similar in design to existing MyWay vehicles.

Canterbury Regional Council public transport general manager Stewart Gibbon says the VSBs offer increased capacity and improved accessibility.

“The VSBs have nearly double the number of seats compared to our other MyWay vehicles,” Gibbon says. “They have fold-up seats which provide improved accessibility for wheelchairs and prams, with step-free access when boarding.”

Each VSB is equipped with a 155kWh battery, providing an estimated range of around 300 kilometres per charge, allowing vehicles to operate for a full day before requiring overnight charging at the depot.

The council says its operating partner, Ritchies Transport, has experience running zero-emission fleets and is supporting the rollout of the new vehicles.

Four electric minivans and one VSB are already in service, with the remaining vehicles to be introduced progressively as they are prepared for operation.

The council says the expanded electric fleet will further reduce emissions and support its goal of transitioning to a fully electric public transport network across Canterbury.

MyWay by Metro was introduced in Timaru in June 2020 as an on-demand service that uses technology to group passengers travelling in similar directions, with flexible pick-up and drop-off points.