Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has appointed Tranzit Group for a nine-year contract to deliver bus services across Napier and Hastings.

The electric fleet of 26 buses (13 large and 13 medium-sized vehicles) is expected to be on the road by August 1, 2027.

Go Bus Chief Operating Officer Ben Barlow said they were disappointed by the outcome, but congratulated Tranzit and respected the council’s decision.

“Our immediate priority is supporting our employees and working through the impacts carefully and responsibly.”

He said they would work alongside HBRC and the new operator to help employees interested in opportunities with the new operator.

“Our team looks forward to continuing to deliver school and charter services in the region for many years to come,” Barlow said.

He said they were proud of the service their team had delivered across Hawke’s Bay for more than 15 years.

HBRC Chair Sophie Siers said the fleet was a significant step for public transport in Hawke’s Bay.

She said the new contract would support a cleaner and quieter bus service and reflected one of the council’s strategic priorities, “responding to a changing climate”.

“Reducing transport emissions is a practical way we can act on that priority, and an all-electric urban bus fleet is an important step in that direction,” Siers said.

HBRC Regional Transport Committee chair Neil Kirton said the contract was an important step in preparing for the 2027 Public Transport Network.

He said it gave the council an operational platform to deliver the next stage of public transport with a fleet and service model built for the future network.

Tranzit Group managing director Paul Snelgrove said Tranzit had a long-standing commitment to Hawke’s Bay, and they were excited to build on their existing presence in the region.

He said Tranzit was the first to bring electric buses to New Zealand in 2018 and had since helped introduce them to other regional areas.

“Bringing electric buses to Hawke’s Bay is an exciting step for both the team and the community,” Snelgrove said.

“Their local experience, technical expertise, and commitment to cleaner transport will help make the change from diesel buses to a fully electric fleet successful. Passengers will also benefit from quieter, smoother, and more modern buses.”

He said they hoped many of the Napier and Hastings urban bus drivers would join the Tranzit team.

The buses will be charged at Tranzit’s Whakatu and Onekawa depots.

The new contract is expected to deliver brand new zero-emission vehicles, with CCTV inside and outside and audio and visual announcements on all buses.

HBRC transport manager Russell Turnbull said the service operates under a single contract covering driver wages, operating expenses, and the purchase of the buses. He said the total cost of the fleet has not yet been determined.

Napier and Hastings public transport is funded through a targeted rate paid by Napier and Hastings ratepayers, central government co-investment through NZTA, and passenger fares.

An HBRC spokesperson said the contract was awarded after a formal selection process. The council will now work with Tranzit Group to help get the service up and running.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.