Global mass transit operator Kinetic has been awarded a NZD755 million contract by Auckland Transport to operate bus services across central and eastern Auckland, marking the company’s largest contract in the city to date.
The contract covers four service units under Auckland Transport’s Tranche 3 bus services tender. Three central units will operate for 11 years, while the eastern unit will run for 8.6 years, providing long-term operational certainty across key parts of Auckland’s bus network.
As part of the agreement, Kinetic will invest more than NZD121 million in new zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure. The company plans to operate 201 zero-emission buses over the life of the contract, with 125 new vehicles scheduled to enter service in 2027.
The rollout will include 165 zero-emission buses deployed from the start of central Auckland services in July 2027, representing the largest single deployment of zero-emission buses at mobilisation in New Zealand.
Infrastructure upgrades will accompany the fleet investment, including expanded charging capacity across Kinetic’s Auckland depots. Plans include the installation of a second overhead gantry charging system at the company’s City depot, building on earlier infrastructure installed at its Glenfield facility.
Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards said the contract represents a significant milestone for the company’s electrification strategy in the region.
“This is a landmark contract for Kinetic and a major step forward for zero-emission public transport in Auckland,” Sewards said.
“We are investing in the fleet, depot infrastructure and people required to support Auckland Transport’s decarbonisation objectives and the city’s continued growth.”
Kinetic Managing Director (New Zealand) Calum Haslop said the agreement strengthens the company’s existing presence in the city, where it already operates more than 630 buses across the Auckland network.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Auckland Transport, retaining our central services while integrating additional Eastern routes into our operations,” Haslop said.
“This contract delivers a fully electric fleet across the isthmus from day one and represents a significant investment in modern fleet, depot infrastructure and operational systems to support a reliable, customer-focused network.”
Under the timetable, services in the eastern unit will begin in December 2026, followed by central Auckland routes in July 2027 operating with a fully zero-emission fleet from the outset.
The project also supports Auckland Transport’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap, which aims to transition the entire city bus fleet to zero emissions by 2035.
Across its global operations, Kinetic operates more than 1,500 zero-emission buses across 33 electrified depots, positioning the company as one of the largest operators of electric bus fleets in Australasia and the United Kingdom.
