New Zealand operator Go Bus has officially opened a new depot in the city of Dunedin, marking a major investment in the city’s public transport future.
Go Bus Transport, part of leading Australasian public transport operator Kinetic, has officially opened a new purpose-built depot on Portsmouth Drive in South Dunedin – a milestone that celebrates decades of service in the city and positions the business for the future.
The former PlaceMakers site has been completely refurbished to bring Go Bus Dunedin’s operations and workshop together in one location, replacing the long-standing depot on Princess Street. The new site provides a modern, central hub that supports daily services and enables growth as public transport in the region evolves.
The depot includes a fully equipped workshop capable of servicing up to six buses at a time, with modern facilities such as sky lifts, brake rollers and a full-size spray booth and paint mixing room. The workshop maintains a fleet of more than 100 vehicles across Dunedin and the wider region, including urban buses, school buses and SESTA (specialised school transport assistance) vehicles.
It also includes a 50,000 litre diesel fuel tank, refuelling area and a state-of-the-art bus wash that recycles 80 per cent of the water used. A portable charger on site supports the new electric buses operating in the Mosgiel–Dunedin network, complementing the wider EV charging infrastructure located at Go Bus’s satellite depot in Mosgiel.
Staff are also set to benefit from purpose-designed spaces such as modern offices, a dedicated training room, and lunchrooms for drivers and for workshop and administration teams, giving everyone a comfortable space to take breaks.
Go Bus chief operating officer Ben Barlow says the opening marks an exciting step for the business and the region.
“This depot is a real investment in Dunedin’s future. It gives our people the facilities, technology and working environment they need to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable transport every day,” he says.
“We are proud of our long history here, and equally proud to be working alongside Otago Regional Council on initiatives like the On Demand service that show what public transport can achieve when innovation and community go hand in hand.
“This new depot reflects that shared vision — future-ready infrastructure that supports growth, reduces emissions and delivers a better experience for everyone who rides with us.”
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Go Bus has deep roots in Dunedin, with its local operation tracing back to Citibus — formerly part of Dunedin City Council’s public transport services — which was acquired by Passenger Transport in 2011 and became part of Go Bus in 2014.
Alongside delivering essential services and creating local employment, the company is committed to giving back to the community – first through the Dunedin Community Sponsorship Fund launched in 2024 and now through Kinetic’s Moving Communities Fund, which supports grassroots initiatives across the region.
The opening of the Portsmouth Drive depot coincides with a significant step forward for sustainable transport in Dunedin – 13 new electric buses have recently joined the Mosgiel–Dunedin network, including six high-capacity 75-seat vehicles to meet peak demand and support future growth.
The launch of the fully electric Orbus On Demand service is the final step in moving all Mosgiel buses to zero emissions, enabling Otago Regional Council (ORC) to deliver cleaner, more sustainable public transport for the region.
“Go Bus has a long-standing presence in Dunedin, and while many will fondly associate the old Citibus site with that history, this new purpose-built depot signals a confident step into the future,” Otago Regional Council transport manager Lorraine Cheyne says.
“The EV charging at Portsmouth Drive complements Go Bus’s fully electrified satellite depot in Mosgiel. Several of the new electric buses even arrived ahead of schedule, replacing older diesel vehicles and reducing emissions across the network.
“This year, Kinetic – which owns and operates Go Bus – became the first public transport operator in New Zealand to receive the HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice Award, recognised for fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.
“ORC is incredibly proud to work alongside an operator that’s investing in both its people and the city’s future. The ORC–Go Bus partnership is built on trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to getting people where they want to go.”
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