Invercargill’s public transport system is undergoing a major upgrade with the arrival of seven new electric buses. These vehicles are now being progressively introduced across the city’s BusSmart Urban Services network, replacing the previous diesel-powered fleet.
Invercargill City Council Chief Executive Michael Day said the change signalled a big step forward for the city. “Our contract for the previous bus fleet was coming to an end, and we took the opportunity to thoroughly review how we could best deliver a public transport service for Invercargill into the future,” he said.
He added that the new electric buses were “a modern, reliable, and environmentally-responsible solution” designed to meet the city’s needs. “The arrival of the EV bus fleet is great news for our neighbourhoods, and represents a real investment in the future of our city.”
The electric vehicles come with lower operating costs and are expected to significantly cut down both emissions and noise across Invercargill. This move supports the Council’s goals to improve air quality and reduce environmental impact.
The buses have been supplied by Kinetic, a major international operator of zero-emission fleets. Kinetic is responsible for about a quarter of London’s red buses and also operates electric bus services in Greater Christchurch and Otago, including Mosgiel’s fully electric fleet.
The new buses are solely for the BusSmart urban services and will not cover school bus routes. While the routes and number of seats remain unchanged, the buses come with advanced safety features. “EVs were safe, and all of the buses in the new fleet were fitted with robust fire-safety and battery-management systems,” Day said.
Addressing concerns about EV safety, Day noted: “We are aware that there has been some misinformation circulating in other communities where electric buses are in operation, but our community can rest assured that Invercargill’s new EV bus fleet is safe and reliable – EV buses are far less likely to catch fire than petrol vehicles.”
He also reminded road users to be alert: “The only reminder we have for people is to remember the EV bus fleet is a lot quieter – so whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, or driving on our roads, make sure you’re aware of other vehicles around you.”
The full cost of the nine-year contract totals $21.49 million and runs until December 2034. This includes the cost of installing charging infrastructure and supplying the buses. Spread out, it represents about $1.99 per week for each ratepayer over the contract’s duration.