Kinetic Sets New Safety Benchmark With First-Of-Its-Kind Pre-Shift Drug And Alcohol Testing

Initiative rolled out across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch

Kinetic, the country’s largest bus operator, has become the first public transport operator in New Zealand to introduce mandatory pre-shift Drug & Alcohol (D&A) testing across its urban operations, raising the bar for safety in the sector.

All Kinetic urban drivers now complete a quick self-test prior to starting their shift. This initiative builds on the company’s existing Alcohol and Drug Policy, which includes pre-employment, random, post-incident and reasonable cause testing across its workforce and contractor base.

Kinetic New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Stephen Mckeefry says drug and alcohol testing in New Zealand’s transport sector has traditionally focused on established testing practices. Kinetic’s approach goes a step further by introducing universal pre-shift testing, ensuring every driver is assessed before entering service each day.

“Operating public transport comes with significant responsibility. Our passengers trust us to deliver safe and reliable services every day, and that starts with ensuring our people are fit for duty.”

“This is about leading from the front and continuing to invest in practical, scalable solutions that support safer outcomes for our passengers, our people, and the communities we serve.”

While drug and alcohol testing is not mandated in this way under current regulations, Kinetic has chosen to go beyond compliance, proactively strengthening its safety systems to reduce risk and protect passengers, employees and the communities it serves.

The programme reflects Kinetic’s zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol in the workplace, particularly in safety-critical roles.

The rollout has been delivered using a solution provided by New Zealand-based drug and alcohol testing specialists Advance Diagnostics, a provider of certified, law-enforcement-grade testing technology used across safety-critical industries.

Advance Diagnostics has implemented a fully integrated, digitally connected testing system for Kinetic — combining law-enforcement-grade hardware with real-time data and reporting capabilities. The system is designed for high-availability, multi-site operations, enabling consistent, scalable testing across depot environments without disrupting daily operations, representing a step change from traditional, manual testing approaches.

Advance Diagnostics’ Managing Director Gee Singh says the programme represents a step forward for safety in the industry.

“Kinetic is taking a proactive leadership position in how safety is managed in public transport.

“This programme brings together proven testing technology with a connected digital platform, allowing testing to be carried out consistently and efficiently at scale. It’s a model that aligns well with safety-critical operations where reliability and accountability are essential.”

Testing devices have been installed across Kinetic’s urban depots in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch, with trained Drug and Alcohol programme staff onsite during shift sign-on periods to support daily operations.

The programme is currently focused on urban operations, where structured shift sign-on points enable consistent pre-shift testing. Kinetic is exploring how similar principles can be applied across its broader network over time, recognising the different operating environments across its regional services.

The introduction comes as roadside drug testing is being rolled out across New Zealand, placing increased focus on impairment and safety across the wider transport system.

This initiative further reinforces Kinetic’s commitment to continuous improvement and its role in setting new safety benchmarks across New Zealand’s public transport sector.

About Kinetic in New Zealand

Kinetic is New Zealand’s largest bus operator and Australasia’s leading operator of zero-emission buses, operating more than 350 electric buses from 12 electrified depots nationwide. It employs more than 4,500 people across its urban and regional operations.

In 2025, Kinetic was named an HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice in New Zealand, recognising its strong people-first culture and commitment to creating an exceptional place to work.

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