Leading Australasian bus operator, Kinetic, announced in August that NZ Bus Ltd (NZ Bus) was joining its business in New Zealand. The acquisition expands Kinetic’s operation into the fast-growing cities of Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga under long-term government contracts.
NZ Bus’s accelerated electric bus roll-out program and significant investment in depot conversion and infrastructure will also bolster Kinetic’s sustainability credentials and commitment to zero emissions busing as the region’s largest battery electric bus (BEB) operator, and one of the largest globally.
NZ Bus currently operates 70 BEBs and last year announced Australasia’s biggest electric bus order in partnership with Auckland Transport (AT), with 152 BEBs to replace around 12 per cent of the diesel bus fleet over the next four years.
Kinetic already operates 10 BEBs in Auckland as part of the AirportLink service in partnership with AT and a further 25 in Christchurch in partnership with Environment Canterbury. A further 16 will be delivered to Christchurch by December.
In Australia, Kinetic is introducing 36 BEBs into Melbourne over the next three years in partnership with the Victorian Government and 20 BEBs across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns in partnership with the Queensland Government. Kinetic also launched Tasmania’s first two fully electric buses on its SkyBus service from Hobart Airport.
Kinetic first entered New Zealand with the launch of SkyBus Auckland and in August 2020 it acquired Go Bus and Johnston’s Coachlines. This year Kinetic more than doubled its contracted services with the New Zealand Ministry of Education as the preferred supplier for 679 school routes across the country.
NZ Bus will provide Kinetic with a strong presence in major population hubs and diversify its offering across regional, school and urban bus services.
NZ Bus holds 27 contracts across Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga with a team of 1475 people and 800 buses spread across 14 strategically located depots. Kinetic’s Australasian network now includes 4800 buses and 6375 people.
Kinetic Co-CEO Michael Sewards said he was delighted to officially welcome NZ Bus to Kinetic.
“NZ Bus is a high quality business with a high quality management team and this is an exciting day as we welcome them into the Kinetic family,” Mr Sewards said.
“New Zealand is a clear leader in the decarbonisation of public transport and we are excited to grow our partnership with government and councils so that people can enjoy safer, cleaner and greener public transport for many generations to come, and to help realise a carbon net-zero future.”
“Through extensive testing and implementation of vehicles and infrastructure, we are developing significant experience and IP as we partner with more and more governments to develop a zero emissions roadmap.”
Kinetic Head of New Zealand Calum Haslop said it would be an exciting future for NZ Bus and its workforce.
“There is a lot to be excited about as we welcome NZ Bus to our network and continue to deliver exceptional bus services that communities can be proud of,” Mr Haslop said.
“We have built an enviable reputation as an employer and transport service partner of choice over many decades and we now look forward to working closely with the NZ Bus management team, customers, staff and stakeholders as we continue to invest and innovate to build a substantial and sustainable public transport platform for New Zealand.”
NZ Bus spokesperson, CEO Barry Hinkley, said he was delighted to handover a company in such a strong position to a reputable transport operator, and he is confident the company will go from strength to strength under Kinetic’s stewardship.
