Auckland Transport (AT) and bus operator Kinetic and have taken another step in their decarbonisation journeys with major upgrades completed at Kinetic’s Glenfield bus depot to support a growing zero emissions fleet.

Delivered by a partnership between Kinetic and AT, the upgrades enable the roll-out of 31 brand new zero emission buses (ZEBs). The depot now features seven new ground-mounted charging points and a first-of-its-kind large-scale overhead gantry charging system.

This system is 25% more space-efficient than traditional ground-mounted charging points, allowing a larger number of ZEBs to be accommodated within the existing facility.

Glenfield is the fifth Kinetic depot in Auckland to be upgraded to support a growing zero emissions fleet, joining New Lynn in West Auckland (Australasia’s largest all-electric bus depot), Panmure in East Auckland, Māngere in South Auckland, and Kinetic’s City depot, which has also been fitted with charging infrastructure. Together, these five sites service a fleet of 174 ZEBs.

Calum Haslop, Managing Director of Kinetic New Zealand, says the Glenfield upgrade is another example of innovation driving Auckland’s public transport future:

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“The introduction of 31 new zero emission buses to our Glenfield depot marks another important step in the evolution of Auckland’s public transport network. What makes this milestone particularly exciting is the integration of an overhead gantry charging system, which allows us to charge multiple vehicles efficiently, safely, and at scale within our existing depot footprint.

“This level of innovation is essential as we help cities like Auckland transition to fully zero emission fleets. It’s not just about adding more zero emission buses to the road, it’s about designing smarter infrastructure and operating models that can support the future of public transport.

“We’re proud to partner with Auckland Transport to bring these solutions to life, and to deliver cleaner, quieter, and more reliable journeys for the communities we serve today and, into the years ahead.”

AT’s Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten says together with its partners and its Mission Electric programme, AT is creating an efficient and sustainable transport network that helps Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland remain a thriving city and region.

“We’re focused on providing Auckland’s communities with a transport system that is reliable, safe, reduces emissions and minimises impacts on air quality and the environment.

“These new buses will be used on a range of Auckland Transport bus routes, including routes 82, 923 and 924, which will be entirely operated by zero emission buses from later this year.

“Right now, Auckland has more zero emission buses than any other city in Australasia. The addition of these 31 new buses, and the associated electric infrastructure, will help us to achieve a fully zero emission bus fleet by 2035, following our Low Emission Bus Roadmap.”

Notes:

• Kinetic New Zealand is the country’s largest bus operator and Australasia’s leading operator of zero-emission buses (ZEBs), running over 320 ZEBs from 10 electrified depots around New Zealand. It employs more than 4,500 people across its Kinetic Urban, Go Bus, Johnston’s, and SkyBus brands.
• Kinetic’s electrified depots have the latest technology to reduce burden on the grid and improve the environmental impact of Auckland’s bus fleet - all without putting Auckland’s energy supply at risk.
• The new zero emissions buses are charged up during off-peak hours, typically overnight via their own individual direct current chargers.
• AT has an operational emissions reduction target of 50% by 2031, from a 2022 baseline, and is on track to meet this.
• 19% of Auckland’s bus fleet is now zero emission, and Kinetic operates the majority of these buses - 174 of the city’s 255 zero-emission buses, or around 68% of the electric fleet.
• AT’s fully zero-emission routes currently operated by Kinetic include:
  • Airport Link
  • City Link
  • Tāmaki Link
  • route 76 (Glen Innes-Britomart via Orakei)
  • route 774 (Glendowie-Britomart)
  • route 775 (Glendowie-Britomart)
  • routes 22N and 22R (New North Rd)
  • routes 24B and 24R (Sandringham Rd)

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