22 September 2016

Go Bus prepares for 13,000 daily passengers on South Auckland routes

Go Bus Transport, New Zealand’s largest and most diverse bus operator, is busy preparing to provide bus services for approximately 13,000 passengers each day as it takes on a new contract with Auckland Transport for a number of South Auckland routes. As part of the contract the company has welcomed the first of 90 vehicles which will service 805 daily bus journeys from late October.

Go Bus Managing Director Calum Haslop says the arrival of the new vehicles is a significant milestone, as it prepares to carry passengers on routes in Mangere Bridge, Auckland Airport, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe and Otara.

“We worked closely with Auckland Transport to produce a high quality vehicle to meet and exceed Auckland’s future transport needs. The buses will deliver a much improved bus experience for South Auckland passengers with an emphasis on safety, quality, comfort and reliability.”

Go Bus services begin on October 30, the day Auckland Transport totally revamps bus services in South Auckland with the New Network.

AT’s Group Manager AT Metro Operations Brendon Main says everything about the bus network is changing. “We will not only have a new operator on some routes, we will also have new buses, changes to some routes and an improved level of service.

“On key routes we will have services at least every 15 minutes, 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.”

Mr Main says feeder services will connect with frequent bus and train services at key bus and rail interchanges in the south.

“This will completely change the way our customers see and use public transport and we welcome Go Bus on board as a key part of that.”

Mr Haslop says the company is excited to be an integral part of the New Network.

“Go Bus currently provides contracted urban bus services to more regional authorities in the country than any other operator, and we have a strong track record of providing passenger transport solutions in busy urban areas. We aim to use this experience to help ease congestion on the busy South Auckland routes by providing an efficient and modern public transport service for our passengers.

“Many of the buses will have larger capacity than those currently operating in anticipation of higher passenger numbers on these routes,” he says.

The buses form part of a $40 million investment from Go Bus in new vehicles, equipment and depot facilities for Auckland, which will also create 200 new jobs in both driver and management roles.

Mr Haslop says the company already has over 90 percent of the drivers it needs and has worked hard to ensure these employment opportunities are available to local people in South Auckland.

“Go Bus has undertaken a targeted approach to recruitment in the areas its new routes will operate, which includes bus shelter and local newspaper advertising.

“We are currently vetting further applications for the remaining roles and are confident of meeting our target for bus drivers who will establish a high quality bus service for South Auckland starting in October.”

Go Bus will supply a total of 90 buses for the Auckland Transport contracts, the majority of which will be brand new and locally built on European chassis. The new low-emission buses are arriving in batches and are primarily being manufactured by Tauranga-based Kiwi Bus Builders and Christchurch-based Global Bus ventures.

For more information on the New Network: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/new-public-transport-network/

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