Auckland Transport (AT) has launched a new fleet of 44 electric buses, including 25 double-deckers that will run every 10 minutes AT’s WX1 Western Express frequent service.
Over the coming months the new electric buses are set to replace Auckland’s diesel buses that are currently in operation.
AT’s Infrastructure and Fleet Specification Manager, Edward Wright, said:
“One of our key targets is that by 2030, we want all buses coming into the city centre to be electric…We’re adding another 31 electric buses to our fleet by the end of June. By August next year, we will have a fleet of 450 electric buses, which is around a third of the 1350 buses that operates AT’s services. Longer term, we have plans in place for Auckland’s bus fleet to be fully electric by 2035.”
With the Government’s announcement last week that it will fund a new dedicated busway and stations between Westgate and into the central city, the future of public transport is suddenly looking much brighter for west Auckland communities.
The new buses are operated by Tranzit’s Tranzurban Division, and General Manager Catherine Jones says they are a win-win for west Aucklanders, and the environment.
“Electric buses will contribute to net neutral carbon emission on transport services, so having this eye-catching fleet on the road in west Auckland supports AT’s environmental goals,” said Jones.
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