Date: 9 March 2026

Auckland Transport is today announcing the award of a $755 million bus services contract to Kinetic – Australasia’s largest bus service operator and a long-time operator of Auckland bus services.

The contract will see Kinetic introducing a fully-electric fleet in mid-2027 to serve 23 different bus routes across the Auckland Isthmus, including some of AT’s most popular frequent routes – the 24B/24R, 25B/25L, 65, 66, 67A/67B, 68 and 68.

Services that will connect Auckland’s Eastern suburbs with the transformational Eastern Busway and serve suburbs like Flatbush and East Tāmaki are also included in the contract announced today.

Today’s announcement is great news for Aucklanders, says Councillor Andy Baker, the chair of Auckland Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee.

“The contract announced today will make a huge difference for Aucklanders who use the 23 frequent routes that will benefit from safe, modern, quiet and comfortable electric buses from next July,” Councillor Baker says.

“Auckland’s bus network has seen some massive improvements over the past few years, with 750,000 Aucklanders now living within easy walking distance of a frequent bus stop or train station.

“The new electric buses and long-term commitment to these bus routes will help encourage even more people to make the most of the frequent and reliable buses on their doorstep which is important at a time when the cost of living and rising fuel prices are on everyone’s mind.”

Auckland Transport Director Public Transport and Active Modes Stacey van der Putten says the contract announced today follows a highly competitive tender process.

“We are excited to be partnering with Kinetic to bring safe, smooth, quiet and sustainable electric buses to communities across dozens of Auckland suburbs under this contract.

“This new contract delivers outstanding value for Auckland’s bus users and ratepayers, delivering meaningful customer experience, safety and sustainability improvements at a lower annual cost than today’s service contracts.

“This contract also includes some really exciting innovations, including New Zealand’s lightest electric double-decker bus, advanced battery and driving safety technology, and onboard fare evasion detection systems.”

Kinetic New Zealand Managing Director Calum Haslop says the award reflects the strength of Kinetic’s Auckland operations and its long-standing partnership with Auckland Transport.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Auckland Transport and to deliver these services across central and east Auckland.

“The continuation of our existing units, alongside the mobilisation of new Eastern services, reflects the strength of our Auckland team and our proven zero-emission capability.

“Our focus is on delivering reliable, customer-first services supported by innovative fleet technology and strong local teams.

“Most importantly, this is about our people, ensuring our drivers and service delivery teams have the fleet, systems, and support they need to keep Auckland moving.”

With light new buses, Dominion Road won’t have to bend under its own weight

With the introduction of lightweight electric double decker buses, Dominion Road will no longer have to bend under its own weight.

Under the new contract, the majority of buses using Dominion Road will be electric from mid-2027, including the new double-decker buses built using aerospace-grade aluminium technology, similar to that used in the Airbus A380. The lightweight double-decker delivers a strong and lighter frame than traditional steel construction.

AT’s Stacey van der Putten says these new double decker buses will be better for Auckland’s roads, as well as Auckland’s bus passengers.

“Aucklanders have really embraced double decker buses since we first introduced them back in 2013 and they have helped to really transform Auckland’s bus network into one of the best in a city of our size.

“But double decker buses have traditionally been heavy vehicles that do cause a bit more wear and tear on our roads, so I’m sure my colleagues in road maintenance will be thrilled to hear we’re getting electric double decker buses that are lighter than our current fleet of double deckers.”

Notes to the editor: 

• Today’s announcement consists of four separate bus contract units being awarded to Kinetic. These contracts replace 10 smaller existing contract units, held variously by Kinetic, Ritchies, and Howick and Eastern by Transdev.
• Today’s award is the third tranche of new bus contracts awarded by Auckland Transport, following previous contract awards for West Auckland services to Tranzit Group in 2024, and a package of West and South Auckland services to Ritchies in 2025.
• Kinetic will begin operating the first of these units (covering East Auckland connecter bus services and frequent route 35) on 6 December 2026. These services will be initially operated by modern diesel buses with a pathway towards electrification over the 8.6 year term for this contract unit.
• The three contract units covering the Auckland Isthmus commence on 11 July 2027, with a fully-electric fleet to be used from day one. These three units have a contract length of 11 years.
• Aucklanders make more than nine million trips each year on the 23 bus routes being electrified, making up nearly 14 percent of Auckland’s total bus passengers.
• This contract means 125 additional electric buses will be added to Auckland’s fleet by July 2027, taking the total number of low emission buses to nearly 600, approximately 44 percent of the Auckland bus fleet.
• The total combined value of the contract awarded to Kinetic is $755 million.

 -ENDS-