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ment-contracted urban and
regional bus services, private and
government-contracted school
services and charter services, it
explains.
Collectively, Kinetic is one trusted
network with more than 3,000
buses and 4,000 people delivering
50 million passenger trips annually,
it says.
Greyhound Resources GM of
operations, James Smith, says
the company would continue
to provide essential services
supporting an important sector of
Australia’s economy.
“Over the past decade we have
expanded our footprint into key
regions in the resources sector with
our commitment to delivering safe
and trusted transport, and with
Kinetic’s mass transit leadership
we will continue to exceed
performance standards,” Smith said.
The transaction is subject to
conditions precedent including
regulatory approval and is expected
to complete in March/April 2021.
GREYHOUND AUSTRALIA
As stated earlier, this acquisition
does not include the Greyhound
Australia brand and business, which
is being retained by the existing
shareholders and will continue to
independently operate Australia’s
largest national coach network
connecting all mainland states and
territories, Greyhound clarifies.
Greyhound Australia’s business
values and ‘feel the heart of
Australia brand’ will continue on
a business-as-usual basis, with
continued focus on bringing joy
to travel in Australia, according to
Greyhound Australia CEO Alex de
Waal.
“The sale of the Greyhound
Resources business will allow our
existing shareholders and Express
management team to focus on
the optimisation and growth of the
Express network,” Mr de Waal said.
The Greyhound Resources
business will operate on a
transitional basis under the
direction of existing shareholders
from now until transfer of the
Greyhound Resources business to
Kinetic on or around April 1, 2021.
NZD$50 MILLION
‘DECARBONISATION’ AID
FOR PUBLIC BUS FLEET
NEW ZEALAND government funding of
NZD$50 million has been committed to
Kiwi councils to help fully ‘decarbonise’
their public transport bus fleets by 2035,
it was announced recently.
The move has been welcomed by
global bus-making giant Alexander
Dennis Limited (ADL) and local bus-body
builder Kiwi Bus Builders, the companies
confirm.
ADL – a subsidiary of North American’s
NFI Group Inc. – is to build zero-emission
buses in NZ in cooperation with Kiwi Bus
Builders, creating jobs and adding value
to the local economy, it states.
The funding to councils for the
procurement of zero-emission buses is
part of a series of measures intended to
help meet New Zealand’s 2050 carbonneutral
target, announced by NZ Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern and Transport
Minister Michael Wood.
By decarbonising the bus fleet, the
country aims to prevent up to 4.5 million
tonnes of CO2 emissions, it explains.
ADL recently announced that it will
assemble zero-emission buses locally in
New Zealand, renewing a partnership
with local manufacturer Kiwi Bus
Builders.
The British company’s electric buses
for New Zealand are part of the BYD-
ADL Enviro200EV range using latest BYD
iron phosphate battery and driveline
technology, it confirms.
In addition to two-axle models, the
partners will produce 12.6m-long,
three-axle electric buses, which ADL has
designed for the specific requirements of
bus operation in New Zealand by carrying
78 passengers without the requirement
of an overweight permit, it states.
CREATING JOBS
Kiwi Bus Builders managing director
Richard Drummond said: “We are primed
to kick start the partnership, we have
already started the process to create
apprenticeships, creating jobs and
supporting jobs that have been lost due
to the coronavirus. This is in line with the
New Zealand Government’s plan to build
the economy back stronger.”
ADL president and managing director
Paul Davies said: “With a strong track
record of innovation and as a member
of NFI Group, we are leveraging global
expertise in the design and deployment
of clean buses while collaborating in
close partnership with our customers
by tailoring our vehicles to their
requirements and assembling them
locally.
“Together with Kiwi Bus Builders, we
look forward to helping councils across
New Zealand deliver on the government’s
commitments for a sustainable future.”
Above:
NZD$50 million has been committed to Kiwi
councils to help fully ‘decarbonise’ their public
transport bus fleets by 2035.
busnews.com.au February 2021 ABC
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