Kapiti bus depot land hits market
A bus depot that stretches over two sections of Paraparaumu industrial land is for sale in the wake of changes to the delivery of Wellington bus services.
The properties have been owned by Mana Coach Services since 1992, when the bus company started servicing the Ka¯piti community.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council put out a tender to provide a number of commuter bus services in the Ka¯piti area, and as a result, Palmerston North company UZABus was selected over Porirua-based Mana Bus.
In the wake of the announcement, Mana Coach Services chief executive Ian Turner said the company decided to ‘‘redefine its property interests to reflect its changing operations’’.
Mana would continue to operate commuter bus services on the Ka¯piti Coast until July 2018, Turner said.
Follow that, the company’s bright green buses would continue to provide school bus services for the Ministry of Education and competitive bus charter services for local groups and organisations, he said.
‘‘To cater for this, Mana will be setting up a new, efficientlysized depot for its school and charter bus business and looks forward to continuing to service the local community.’’
Both sections are being sold separately.
The one at 3 Ka¯piti Rd is a 2247-square-metre flat site with no buildings, which is being used as a bus station. It is adjacent to the Paraparaumu railway station and opposite Coastlands Shopping Centre.
‘‘High-profile sites like this seldom make it on to the open market, as evidenced by the fact that this property has been in the same ownership for 25 years,’’ Bayleys Wellington agent Fraser Press said.
‘‘It’s a lightning-bolt-shaped piece of land that could well appeal to a car park operator, who could leverage off the proximity to the railway station.’’
The second piece of land is at 35-41 Hinemoa St, Paraparaumu, just north of the Coastlands mall on the eastern side of Main Rd (previously State Highway 1) and the railway line.
The 4048sqm site, complete with an office and workshop, is being used for bus storage and workshops. The property will be available with vacant possession in August 2018.
‘‘This site would make a perfect yard or depot for a logisticsbased operator, or could suit industrial trade [or] workshop use,’’ Press said.
‘‘The deferred settlement date will give a new owner time to consolidate development plans or for an established business operator to transition their operation to the site.’’