#BusNews: Timaru’s MyWay by Metro service will soon be 100% electric with the introduction of 10 new electric vehicles.

6 of the new EVs, known as “very small buses” or VSBs, are the first of their kind in NZ. The remaining four are similar in design to current MyWay vehicles.

#BusNews: The former tram stop on Lake Road / Clifton Road in Auckland has been repaired and restored by Auckland Transport contractors after a car crashed into it on New Year's morning.

The stop now functions as a bus stop.

Mayor Says Loss Of Combined Route 25 Hospital Shuttle Service A “Kick In The Guts” For Affected Communities A key strength of the Route 25 service is its ability to provide a same day return trip which the InterCity service doesn’t offer.

#BusNews: Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton said the decision to end the combined Taumarunui–Hamilton Route 25 hospital shuttle/public transport service is a “kick in the guts” for Taumarunui and other communities who rely on the service.

Via Scoop: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK26...

#BusNews: The Otago Heritage Bus Society have welcomed #2423 a 1986 Denning Landseer to their fleet.

While the bus is privately owned, it will be available for hire from the society.

Wellington Metlink faces major diesel spikes, calling on the government for fare discounts Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair said he had written to ministers about steps the government could take to encourage public transport use

#BusNews: Wellington's public transport authority is warning passengers could face service cuts or costlier fares due to soaring diesel prices, and is calling for government intervention.

Via RNZ: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

#BusNews: Te Pahi Taranaki have launched a new website to coincide with their new bus network.

The website features a journey planner, live tracking and interactive maps.

MORE: www.tepahi.govt.nz

#BusNews: Crews will begin construction on new bus stops around Franklin ahead of new bus services starting later in the year.

The stops are concrete pads with tactile pavers and line markings. No shelters at this stage due to cost.

Could this be the cheapest bus route to travel in New Zealand? We find out about the Number 1 bus, which travels the 55-plus kilometres between Dunedin and Palmerston.

#BusNews: Fuel prices have hit record highs and your bank account is probably feeling it. But tucked away in the lower South Island, there's one route where you can travel for less than twenty cents a kilometre.

Via RNZ: www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

#BusNews: NZTA is constructing a SH1 new northbound bus priority lane from the Wilks Road overbridge to the Silverdale off-ramp at Dairy Flat.

The lane will be about 2.5 kilometres long and built within the existing highway corridor, alongside the existing lanes.

Schools told to stay open — but fuel crisis raises fears for buses and staff travel Rural school leaders warn the fuel crisis could hit attendance and bus services, as principals say rising diesel costs are already eating into budgets.

#BusNews: Canterbury schools may need to prepare for some distance learning if the current fuel crisis continues, a principals’ association head says.

Via The Press: www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

Revealed: The New Zealand city most likely to say thank you to the bus driver Over the past week, The Spinoff has been stealthily logging thanks yous uttered on buses across the motu.

#BusNews: Over the past week, The Spinoff writers have been stealthily logging thanks yous uttered on buses across the motu. Today, we present our findings.

Via The Spinoff: thespinoff.co.nz/society/07-0...

New era for Taranaki public transport with electric buses for New Plymouth urban routes From Tuesday, April 7, 11 new electric buses will be on the road, making the New Plymouth urban fleet fully electric.

#BusNews: New Plymouth’s urban bus fleet is now fully electric, with 11 new electric buses added to it.

The electric buses were a long-planned but timely switch from diesel power, given the hike in fuel prices.

Via The Post: www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

#BusNews: Busit route 25 to Taumarunui from Hamilton is coming to an end on June 26.

A dedicated health shuttle for Taumarunui patients travelling to Waikato Hospital will be available with details available from late May.

MORE: www.busit.co.nz/news-and-eve...

PIC @NZBusSpotting on Instagram.

The Press

#BusNews: Rising fuel prices have cast doubt over the future of the express bus service between Rolleston and Christchurch.

Via The Press: www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

#BusNews: Alongside launching their new bus network on Tuesday, Te Pahi Taranaki had staff out and about handing out updated urban bus timetable booklets at Ariki St on Tuesday and Wednesday.

'Art should be accessible': Art bus connects students with gallery The art bus has been funded privately by local patrons for students to experience art.

#BusNews: Students are getting a chance to experience the Hastings Art Gallery in a regional first with the art bus. The bus provides free transport for eligible schools from Hastings, Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay to visit the gallery.

Via NZ Herald: www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...

'Back to our roots': Regional Health Network on board with Mobile Health Bus 'The bus creates a visual statement when it arrives in our communities.'

#BusNews: Whanganui Regional Health Network will take a more active role in the Waka Hauora Mobile Health Bus. This comes after the organisation strengthened its relationship with the Robert Bartley Foundation.

Via NZ Herald: www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-ch...

End of the line for parents’ DIY country bus service A user-pays school bus service from Tangimoana and Rongotea to Palmerston North is being cancelled.

#BusNews: A bus service organised by parents to replace a Ministry of Education service that was cut will also be cancelled, as cost meant the expected uptake hasn’t materialised.

Via The Post: www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

Demand For Nelson’s Electric Buses Up Amid Fuel Crisis The increase in demand for public transport comes as eBus prepares to launch earlier services on Tuesday 7 April.

#BusNews: The month of March saw 95,656 passenger journeys on the Nelson eBus. A new high since the upgraded service was introduced in 2023.

Via Scoop: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK26...

Councillor takes aim at mayor in ‘tasteless’ April Fools joke Sandra Greenslade said the social media post did get a few people’s hopes up but the irony was well intentioned, albeit tasteless.

#BusNews: A Taupō district councillor has ruffled feathers with her “tasteless” April Fools prank, saying she did it to show her disgust at a decision not to fund a bus service between Taupō and Tūrangi.

Via Waikato Times: www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

#BusNews: Busit Waikato have announced that the Free Family Adventure Pass is back for the April School Holidays.

Available from the 3rd to 19th April with up to 2 adults & 4 kids travel FREE on the Blue Regional buses. Just download/screenshot the pass and show it to the driver.

Depot asbestos contamination ‘no secret’ Workers were warned not to go into parts of a bus depot which homeless people were sleeping in, due to health and safety concerns over asbestos,...

#BusNews: Workers were warned not to go into parts of a bus depot which homeless people were sleeping in, due to health and safety concerns over asbestos, the Otago Daily Times can reveal.

Via Otago Daily Times: www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin...

#BusNews: Te Pahi Taranaki have begun installing new timetables at bus stops across their network ahead of new and adjusted timetables starting on April 7.

Urban and regional timetable/route booklets are being printed and will be available from retailers from Tuesday.

The Press

#BusNews: Incidents of abuse and aggression towards Canterbury bus drivers were down 70% on 2023’s levels.

Via The Press: www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

Fuel cost crisis - passenger numbers up 5% on Hawke’s Bay buses A change in bus network and a fuel cost crisis driven by the Iran war has caused a minor spike in people choosing public transport in Hawke’s Bay.

#BusNews: A change in bus network and a fuel cost crisis driven by the Iran war has caused a minor spike in people choosing public transport in Hawke’s Bay.

Via Newstalk ZB: www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/nationa...

#BusNews: Several CRRC c05's are stored near Auckland Airport while waiting to be prepared for service.

NZ Transit Buzz understands these electric mini buses are set to replace the existing diesel MyWay by Metro vans in Timaru.

PICS - Miro Edmond-Wong - Kiwi Bus Enthusiasts.

#BusNews: Event Direct by Metro has opened bookings for the Super Rugby weekend 24-26 April.

Event Direct is a pre-booked shuttle service with direct trips from selected suburban hubs around Christchurch.

MORE: www.metroinfo.co.nz/travel-infor...

#BusNews: Extra earlier bus services in Nelson will begin on 7 April, following approval from the Nelson and Tasman Councils’ Joint Regional Transport Committee.

The extra services will be on Route 1 and Route 2 between Nelson and Richmond.

#BusNews: @YT_JoshTransit on X has spotted one Auckland Transport’s Route 18 buses with Flexi-stop signage in the front window at New Lynn Interchange.

AT are trailing allowing passengers off at safe agreed to locations along the route to improve safety.

#BusNews: A new CRRC Single Decker for Busit has been spotted among a fresh batch of CRRCs at the VTNZ Auckland Airport lot.

It is currently unclear where the other CRRCs are going, but the Busit Blue vehicle will likely be joining Tranzurban's Hamilton fleet.

Photo: @B739_ on X.