The first new EV bus slid quietly off the Cambridge i-Site rank on Monday morning, signalling the launch of an expanded Waipā bus service that also ticks the zero emissions box.
It was the first of six new EV buses set to replace Cambridge and Te Awamutu’s current diesel bus fleet. The new vehicles will work to an expanded and more frequent timetable that doubles the number of weekly services connecting to Hamilton.
The Cambridge service increases on weekdays from eight to 20 return trips, and the Te Awamutu service grows from nine to 19. Over weekends, both services increase from four to 13 return trips daily.
The additional services mean Waipā’s regional bus services cover some of the longest distances in the country. Each vehicle will typically travel between 350-500km a day, while most New Zealand public transport buses average 220-250km a day.
The new buses can carry 75 passengers (37 seated and 38 standing). Patronage numbers will be monitored, and existing diesel-fuelled ‘assist’ buses will be on hand to ensure all who want to travel can do so. Double-decker electric buses, which will further boost capacity, are expected to come on stream later this year.
Monday’s launch was marked by a blessing, followed by a ribbon-cutting and talk by district and local councillors and representatives of Tranzit, the coach company supplying the new buses.
Ruth Crampton
Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton said it signalled “a real move towards the carbon zero targets that all councils and countries are working towards”.
She said an upgrade in Bee Card interest had been seen in the weeks since the upgrade was announced. The Bee Card is an electronic fare payment smart card used on bus services throughout New Zealand.
“Of particular interest is the doubling of the timetable between Cambridge and Hamilton,” Crampton said. “This week, we even had 40 Bee Cards purchased for international students visiting Cambridge High School, which they will use to get to and from school.”
Tranzit general manager of bus and coach, Jenna Snelgrove, said significant planning went into electrifying bus routes. It included selecting the correct bus and batteries for Waipā’s roads, catering to the demands of longer trips, and ensuring passenger and driver comfort. The company bought six new electric buses and employed 12 additional drivers for the Waipā services.
Dawn Inglis
Waipā District Council’s group manager service delivery, Dawn Inglis, said the new EV buses and expanded timetable will benefit Waipā residents and visitors. “We are constantly looking at ways to improve how people get around our towns, as well as offering visitors other options to get here. The upgraded timetable and decreased environmental impacts are a win for everyone.”
The increased service frequency is seen as a critical component of the Hamilton-Waikato Metro Spatial Plan, said Waikato Regional Councillor and deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, Angela Strange. “We’ve seen increasing frequency lead to greater passenger numbers across the network.”
Waikato Regional Councillor and Regional Transport Committee chair, Mich’eal Downard, said EVs are critical for the regional public transport objective to deliver services with at least net neutral carbon emissions between 2025 and 2050. “Having this first fleet on the road shows we’re making great progress on our environmental goals.”
Services in Cambridge and Te Awamutu will follow slightly different routes to accommodate charging. The batteries will take between two and four hours to fully charge overnight at the depots.
In Leamington, the Cambridge bus will travel from the Pope Terrace depot onto Goldsmith, Southey, Arnold and Shakespeare streets.
The Te Awamutu service will carry on to and end at Kihikihi, meaning the town will enjoy a seven-day service instead of the current Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Thumbs up for the new EV bus launch on Monday. From left are Waipā District Council’s group manager service delivery, Dawn Inglis, Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton, Waikato Regional Council public transport manager Trudi Knight and Waipā District Councillor Roger Gordon. Photo: Viv Posselt
