Transdev to begin operating new Wellington bus service in summer 2022

Credit: Transdev

Inhabitants in Wellington, New Zealand, will soon have an easy and convenient way to get to Wellington International Airport, with a new seven-day bus service funded by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and delivered by Transdev subsidiary Mana Newlands. The service is set to commence from July 2022 and will operate on the Metlink network and support Snapper ticketing.

“With a new service becoming part of the overall Metlink network, we’ll be able to see passenger journey data, exactly who is connecting to the service and from which parts of our region,” said Metlink’s General Manager, Scott Gallacher. “This will help us to make adjustments to our bus and rail network and target our resources better to meet demand from our communities,” he explained.

The new service will be operated by Transdev subsidiary Mana Newlands, with the company being awarded the six-year contract as part of a competitive tender.

Mana Newlands’ CEO, Craig Chin, said that the company was thrilled to have been chosen to operate the service, which will service 11 stops between Wellington Station and the airport.

“We’ve been a part of the local community for more than three decades, and the expansion of our services to Wellington Airport is a very exciting one. The last two years have been tough for many families and businesses, and we are very much looking forward to helping people to reconnect, particularly as international travel resumes,” said Craig Chin, CEO of Mana Newlands.

Currently, both Mana Newlands and Transdev are under contract with the Greater Wellington Regional Council. While Mana Newlands operates bus services in Newlands and Tawa, Transdev operates rail services in Wellington.

“Public transportation is all about people serving people, and there’s nothing that beats the warm welcome for those who are coming home or visiting our city, which is what our Mana team will provide,” said Greg Pollock, Transdev New Zealand’s Chief Officer. “We are excited to be delivering a cleaner, greener and comfier service for passengers with the route serviced by a dedicated fleet of 10 new zero-emission electric buses,” he said.