Thirty-seven new electric buses will be on the road in Dunedin from October this year as part of two new contracts awarded by Otago Regional Council to Go Bus Transport, part of Australasian public transport operator Kinetic.

The contracts represent about half the Dunedin bus network and will significantly increase the number of electric buses across the network and introduce specialised, larger buses to operate on Route 1 (Palmerston-Dunedin) trips.

ORC’s Transport Portfolio Lead Councillor Alan Somerville says the outcome of these contracts will deliver a fleet of new and more environmentally friendly buses with greater capacity.

“One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of more electric buses within the first year of the contract.

This is a major step towards our goal of transitioning to a totally zero-emission fleet in the coming years, which has the added benefit of reducing emissions of harmful pollutants,” Cr Somerville says.

ORC’s General Manager Regional Planning and Transport Anita Dawe says the contracts will also deliver additional peak trips on the Peninsula-City Route, supported by Go Bus’s purpose-built Portsmouth Drive depot, which will be fully electrified to accommodate the expanded zero-emission fleet.

“We’re pleased to see Go Bus are including two larger buses, targeted for use on Palmerston-Dunedin services, designed for a more comfortable ride on longer-distance trips and look forward to our longest public transport route having this improved offering,” Ms Dawe says.

Building on ORC’s plan, Go Bus’s local team is looking forward to delivering these upgraded services and supporting Dunedin’s transition to a zero-emission fleet.

Go Bus Chief Operating Officer Ben Barlow says the company’s Dunedin team is excited to be rolling out this next phase of electric buses in partnership with ORC.

“Delivering reliable, sustainable, and comfortable public transport for our community is at the heart of everything we do,” says Mr Barlow.

“The introduction of these new zero emission vehicles marks an exciting chapter in our partnership with ORC, supporting the continued shift toward cleaner, more attractive travel across Dunedin and the communities we serve.

“Services will operate from Go Bus’s modern Portsmouth Drive depot, purpose-built in 2025 to support the growing zero emission fleet. These new contracts allow us to increase service capacity, introduce larger buses for longer routes, and strengthen community connections, while continuing to invest in our people, infrastructure, and the future of sustainable transport in the region.”

The new contract, starting in October this year, will mean 61 out of Dunedin’s 79 buses, or 77%, will be electric.

With the renewal of Dunedin's final bus contract, all the city's buses are expected to be electric by 2028.

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