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07 March 2025, 3:50 pm
This week marks one year since Horizons Regional Council welcomed their fully electric bus fleet into Palmerston North and Ashhurst.
When the fully electric fleet launched on March 4 2024, it also welcomed lower emissions, streamlined bus routes, and more regular services. A year on, it is clear the difference this new bus network has made for Palmy, with significant increases of usage across the board. A 41.3.% increase can be seen in the usage of all buses from 2023 to 2024. Horizons Regional Council manager transport services Mark Read says that the new network has been a success, with a huge increase in patronage. “A 41% increase in usage is something we as Horizons Regional Council and our community should be proud of,” he says. “We have worked together to create a new network that serves our community in a user-friendly, streamlined way, and we are already seeing the success of our efforts. This past month we saw the largest increase in uptake, with the usage of buses going up 81.18% compared to February last year. “Not only has the usage of buses increased, but we have also achieved high results in our Customer Satisfaction Survey. From late March 2024 to early March 2025, the bus network has received a customer satisfaction score of 4.6 stars out of 5.” Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says she is pleased with the rollout of the new bus network, and that it is ticking all the right boxes. “Looking a year down the track, is it fantastic to see how the plans for the network have come to fruition,” she says. “Before the change, our patronage was decreasing, and the bus system was outdated and underused. Our new fleet is not only more modern but also reaching our communities and getting more people to use public transport. “Seeing buses drive past with their ‘fully loaded’ sign is a success, as it shows the increase of patronage we were hoping for. “This weekend, we will be running free bus services on Saturday and Sunday in partnership with New Zealand Rural Games. All bus services will be free whether you attend Rural Games or not, but we want to make the event more accessible to the public. “As this week is our bus network’s first birthday, a free bus ride would be a great chance to try out our amazing buses and experience the benefits of low emission travel.” NOTES The new fleet introduced 42 brand new electric buses, and replaced the old fleet of 26 diesel buses. The current fleet now consists of 43 fully electric buses, as the old fleet already had one electric bus in rotation. Patronage data