ONE OF New Zealand’s leading electric bus operators – NZ Bus Ltd – is on course to soon be welcomed by Australasia’s largest, Kinetic, in what promises to be a massive regional ‘e-move’.
Kinetic, of Skybus renown, has signed a contract to acquire NZ Bus Ltd – one of New Zealand’s biggest urban bus operators. The acquisition will make Kinetic, “…the largest operator of battery-electric buses in the Australasia region, and one of the largest globally,” it announced recently.
Under Kinetic’s ownership, NZ Bus will deliver at least 200 e-buses as part of its contracts in Auckland and Wellington with substantial investment made in depot conversion and electric charging infrastructure, the operator explains.
NZ Bus holds key government contracts to operate public bus services across Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga, Kinetic highlights.
The investment will allow Kinetic to diversify its New Zealand operation, which includes Go Bus, Skybus and Johnston’s – and significantly expand its footprint across the country’s two biggest urban markets, Auckland and Wellington, it explains.
STRATEGIC SYNERGY
NZ Bus has more than 1400 people and 800 buses and 14 depots – adding to Kinetic’s 5800 people, 3800 buses and 83 depots across Australia and New Zealand, the Skybus owner confirms.
Aligning with Kinetic’s strategic focus on sustainability, NZ Bus’s credentials will complement Kinetic’s experience and leadership in the region as the largest operator of zero-emission busing, Kinetic outlines.
Of note, last year Auckland Transport announced the region’s largest electric bus order in partnership with NZ Bus.
Through Go Bus, Kinetic already operates a fleet of 35 electric buses across Christchurch and Auckland, it adds. Kinetic is also introducing the first of 36 new battery-electric buses (BEB) in Melbourne in partnership with the Victorian Government, Kinetic outlines. By June, 2022, an additional 20 electric buses will be delivered into Kinetic’s Queensland Government-contracted services, it states.
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BOLD AND CLEAR
Kinetic Co-CEO Michael Sewards says NZ Bus represented an investment opportunity strongly aligned to Kinetic’s strategic vision.
“Our sustainability targets are bold and clear as we aim to have 50 per cent of our fleet comprised of zero-emission vehicles by 2030,” Sewards said.
“In our experience New Zealand is leading the charge on the global stage in the transition to zero-emission busing, as demand for public transport grows and bus transportation is recognised as an increasingly popular mode of sustainable transport,” he added.
A NZ Bus spokesperson, CEO Barry Hinkley, also expresses his enthusiasm for the transaction: “NZ Bus has been transformed in recent years through the effort and dedication of an extraordinary team of people, from the senior leadership group through to hard-working drivers and workshop employees.”
“Operating closely with our key customers we have solidified NZ Bus’ leading position in the industry – a position that will be enhanced with the proposed merger with Kinetic’s Australasian business,” Hinkley explained.
During this acquisition Kinetic was advised by Cameron Partners, Chapman Tripp and Deloitte while NZ Bus was advised by Murray & Co, UBS and MinterEllisonRuddWatts, the companies confirm.
Photography: courtesy Auckland Transport (AT) + Kinetic
