The contracts represent about half the Dunedin bus network and will significantly increase the number of electric buses across the network and introduce specialised, larger buses to operate on Route 1 (Palmerston-Dunedin) trips. Go Bus Transport is part of Australasian public transport operator Kinetic.

ORC’s Transport Portfolio Lead Councillor Alan Somerville says the outcome of these contracts will deliver a fleet of new and more environmentally friendly buses with greater capacity.

“One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of more electric buses within the first year of the contract. This is a major step towards our goal of transitioning to a totally zero-emission fleet in the coming years, which has the added benefit of reducing emissions of harmful pollutants,” Cr Somerville says.

ORC’s General Manager Regional Planning and Transport Anita Dawe says the contracts will also deliver additional peak trips on the Peninsula-City Route, supported by Go Bus’s purpose-built Portsmouth Drive depot, which will be fully electrified to accommodate the expanded zero-emission fleet.

“We’re pleased to see Go Bus are including two larger buses, targeted for use on Palmerston-Dunedin services, designed for a more comfortable ride on longer-distance trips and look forward to our longest public transport route having this improved offering,” Ms Dawe says.

Building on ORC’s plan, Go Bus’s local team is looking forward to delivering these upgraded services and supporting Dunedin’s transition to a zero-emission fleet.

Go Bus Chief Operating Officer Ben Barlow says the company’s Dunedin team is excited to be rolling out this next phase of electric buses in partnership with ORC.

“Delivering reliable, sustainable, and comfortable public transport for our community is at the heart of everything we do,” says Mr Barlow, Go Bus Chief Operating Officer