Four of 16 new buses this week joined the company’s fleet delivering services on Dunedin’s urban routes.
The buses were originally scheduled to be delivered in August.
The four vehicles were part of a $7million investment by Go Bus in its urban fleet for the city. It is the largest investment in a Dunedin bus fleet since the 1980s.
Go Bus managing director Calum Haslop said the investment showed the company’s commitment to its operations in Dunedin, and to providing the best possible service for the city’s passengers.
"This significant investment by Go Bus in brand new buses for Dunedin is a vote of confidence by Otago Regional Council in Go Bus, and by Go Bus in New Zealand manufacturers," Mr Haslop said.
"These new buses are well-suited to the task of moving large numbers of people on sometimes challenging streets.
"Being of Dunedin stock myself, I know how important it is to have strong, reliable vehicles to tackle this city’s roads, while also providing a comfortable journey for our passengers."
The new Volvo B7 vehicles were fitted with Euro 5 290hp engines.The new buses would roll out on routes Waverley to Belleknowes, Kenmure, Ross Creek to Ocean Grove, and St Kilda, Halfway Bush and Brockville over the coming weeks. The remaining 12 buses were scheduled to arrive in Dunedin by May.
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Why, pray tell, is GoBus buying new diesel buses when electric buses are available and widely used overseas? Must we continue to endure clouds of black, fumey, filth as the buses chug up and down our main street--something that many of the visitors I've spoken to have observed with surprise and disgust. This is a missed opportunity and one that reflects a lack of vision from our local authorities and the people they contract to provide the bus service. Disappointing.
I totally agree. My heart sank to see the same old dirty diesel buses have been bought. On the hills, driving or walking or cycling near one of these buses is a filthy, unpleasant experience. Old thinking, such a shame to repeat the polluting ways of the past. A lost opportunity indeed. We have these diesel fume belchers going up our street over 20 times a day and the pollution is awful. Surely, electricity would be cheaper to run as well?