New Zealand’s largest ever tendered bus services contract has been awarded with Auckland Transport (AT) signing on Ritchies Transport to deliver expanded operations in west and south Auckland.
AT’s Director of Public Transport and Active Modes Stacey van der Putten says the new nine-year, $1.068 billion contract with Ritchies is particularly exciting as it will see 175 new electric buses introduced on the network while delivering value for ratepayers and public transport users.
“Because of the large scale of this bus contract we have been able to secure strong value for ratepayers and continue the fast pace of electrification of Auckland’s bus network,” Ms van der Putten said.
“This signifies a major step forward in enhancing Auckland’s public transport infrastructure and reflects AT’s commitment to delivering a robust, future-ready public transit system.
Comfortable, quieter journeys
Auckland Transport says for customers the modern new electric buses will make catching the bus a quieter, more comfortable and enjoyable way to travel.
“The inclusion of zero emission buses and advanced environmental standards in the contract aligns with AT’s Mission Electric and sustainability goals to significantly reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner, greener Auckland,” Ms van der Putten said.
The new contract will see some bus routes completely operated by electric buses and also includes the Airport Link, where the existing electric buses will be replaced with larger vehicles with more capacity from late 2025.
Delivering for communities
Ritchies CEO Michele Kernahan says the new contracts reflects Ritchies’ ability to deliver a compelling public transport solution for Auckland Transport.
“The new contract is a credit to our entire team for their hard work and dedication, whether they are driving our buses, managing operations, or cleaning and maintaining fleets.
“This is an exciting time for both our existing staff and those who will join us. It will mean a much stronger presence in west Auckland, new facilities in Māngere, and expansion of our existing operations in Takanini and Pukekohe as we electrify depots, introduce new fleet, and prepare for service transitions to support the delivery of high-quality public bus services to Aucklanders.”
Once operational, the new contract will deliver more frequent and reliable bus services, directly benefiting west and south Auckland communities by improving connectivity and reducing wait times.
Pavlovich joins Team Ritchies
As part of the contract win, Ritchies is also announcing the acquisition of incumbent Pavlovich Coachlines Limited by the Ritchies Transport group.
“We’re especially pleased that Pavlovich Coachlines is joining the Ritchies team. Together, we are not just building a better future for Ritchies, we’re delivering value for ratepayers and creating a more comfortable, connected and sustainable way to travel for the communities we serve,” she said.
Read full details about the new sustainable public network on the Auckland Transport website.
