Minister of Transport Hon Annette King today unveiled the first of the new era trolley buses delivered to Wellington.
The arrival of the new buses is a significant step forward in the provision of better service, better reliability and greater environmental sustainability for Wellington’s bus services. They are the first of 61 buses that were ordered to join the GO Wellington fleet as a result of a contract signed between Greater Wellington Regional Council and GO Wellington in May as part of the Metlink network.
The new buses, costing $460,000 each, will not only provide environmental benefits but will be a significant step up in terms of passenger comfort and reliability. The two prototypes will be on the road this week, with another two trolley buses arriving before Christmas, with the remaining 57 being delivered throughout 2008 and early 2009.
GO Wellington was able to place the order for the new buses because it has signed a contract with Greater Wellington Regional Council that provides long-term funding for services on the trolley bus routes. Under the contract, the Regional Council will pay GO Wellington approximately $4.5 million a year, which is funded 50% by ratepayers and 50% by the Government, operating through Land Transport New Zealand.
At present the trolley bus services carry about 8 million passenger trips each year. The new buses will have 20% more capacity than the old trolley buses, and this will enable significant growth in the number of passengers carried without increasing the number of buses on the road.
Deputy Chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council, Peter Glensor, said today at the launch: “This is a special occasion for Wellington and heralds a new era for Metlink. The buses will not only be better for our environment but will also offer real improvements in comfort and reliability.”
The CEO of NZ Bus, which owns GO Wellington, Bruce Emson, said: “The trolleys reflect the cooperative relationship that exists between GWRC and GO Wellington. The private and public sectors have worked collaboratively to improve Wellington’s public transport and today we welcome the first of these new-generation buses to improve Wellington’s public transport.
“NZ Bus’s goal is to be the world’s best passenger transport company. The renewal of the trolley fleet is one step; we are working on a lot of other improvements. Wellingtonians catch the bus more than any other population in New Zealand or Australia. We intend to reward our customers by making their trips more reliable and pleasant.”
The buses were unveiled by the Minister at a function held at Wellington’s Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to thank all those who fought originally for the retention of the iconic trolley buses for Wellington and those who subsequently have worked so hard to bring about the delivery of these high-specification buses.
Hon Annette King said at the launch: “Anything we can do as a country to reduce CO2 emissions, to move toward renewable energy sources, and to increase the use of public transport is to be applauded.
“Congratulations to Greater Wellington Regional Council and GO Wellington for working so well together to keep the trolley buses on Wellington’s roads.”
Trolley buses have been part of Wellington’s landscape since 1924. The oldest of the current fleet was introduced in 1980. Designline will manufacture the new buses in Ashburton.