Bus depot prepares to roll out electric fleet
Tranzit Coachlines has been busy preparing for the launch of New Zealand’s first all-electric urban bus service, which will start running new routes in Palmerston North on Monday.
Transition manager Christopher Candy-Boland said a second depot was temporarily leased to help accommodate the 42 new electric buses while the diesel fleet continued to provide the existing services.
The diesel buses would eventually be redeployed to other parts of the Masterton-based family-owned business’s network around New Zealand.
Ten dual chargers have been installed at the depot, 50 new drivers have been recruited and taught how to use them, and the workshop and tearooms have been enlarged to accommodate the larger fleet and team.
Around the city, the new buses have been seen around the streets with “Not in service” and “Driver training” signs aglow as current and new drivers train in how to drive them, and familiarise themselves with the new routes.
Tranzit staff have also worked alongside Horizons Regional Council staff at a variety of community events, handing out new bus network timetables, and helping people work out where to catch a bus on the new routes.
The new routes have been designed by Horizons to provide more frequent, direct and faster services that will start earlier and run later into the evenings.
They will be free for passengers for the first month.
However, some routes have been dropped in parts of the city, including Roslyn, Awapuni and Highbury, where some people will have a longer walk to their nearest bus stop.
Horizons transport services manager Mark Read said staff would be out on the new and old routes next week to help people caught out by the changes.
Tranzit driver Viviana Naranjo is one of those who had trained to drive a diesel bus, has learned the new skills needed to change over to an electric model, and has been promoted as one of Tranzit’s operations supervisors.
She said the new buses were quiet and smooth to travel on, and also good for the environment.
She said she enjoyed the change of routine in a job she loved. “You meet amazing people, and every day is different.
“I love getting up early to get to see the sunrise, and sometimes seeing the sunset, and feel really supported by my team.”
Driver Migiel Visagie moved his family from Auckland to Palmerston North, looking for a more relaxed lifestyle. “What I like about driving in Palmerston North is there is less traffic, the views are nice, and the people are friendly,” he said.
“Sometimes it feels like you’re on holiday – and you get paid for it.”
He said the new electric buses were not only quiet and smooth for passengers, but for the driver as well.