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New timetables and routes are mere weeks away for Nelson-Tasman, but passengers are already on board with the new electric buses.
On August 1 the region’s new revamped bus service will officially start, with more routes and buses every half hour between Richmond and Nelson between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week. New destinations include Wakefield, Motueka and the airport.
But, while the new routes are yet to begin, some passengers are already getting to enjoy one of the cornerstones of the new bus services – the fleet of 17 electric buses.
After arriving in the region and being stored in Richmond while being decked out in their livery, some of the buses are now being used for daily journeys.
BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail
Passengers queue for the new eBus which has started carrying passengers in Nelson before the new timetable and routes commences on August 1.
For driver Phil Babbage the experience of driving the new buses was “fantastic”.
“It’s quite surprising just the power it has on take off and acceleration.”
The bus would be able to do two days on a charge, but would be charged overnight, he said, explaining that it used about 28% of its battery coming from Wellington to Nelson.
Babbage said the drive was noticeably quieter and smoother, and also had some great safety features.
That included 12 cameras in and around the bus, and bells and lights that would flash when it slowed down to alert the deaf and blind passengers.
On Wednesday he had picked up a passenger in a wheelchair and the wide doors and ramp made it easier for the passenger to get on board, he said.
The response from the customers said it all.
BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail
Driver Phil Babbage loves the new eBus and says the feedback has been “fantastic”.
“The positivity was fantastic.”
On the 2pm journey from Nelson to Richmond on Wednesday passengers were impressed with the smooth and quiet ride.
Carlos Makatea was helping a wriggling Vision Lee-Taiaroa, 16 months, peer out the window.
They caught the bus from Stoke three times a week as it was an easy outing and much cheaper than running a car, he said.
“She loves it, it’s her outing for the day.”
He was excited to be riding one of the new electric buses.
“It’s great, it’s economical, it’s good for the environment, it will be good for Nelson.”
He noticed the bus was a lot quieter and there was a lot more room, which made it easier with a pram.
The ride seemed to be enjoyed by Vision as well – by the time they hopped off in Stoke she was dropping off to sleep.
Mary Barrett, from Richmond, uses the bus twice a week. The ride on the new bus was “lovely” and felt smoother, she said.
“It’s a lot quieter, it’s the first thing you notice.”
BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail
Paul Stevenson from California was catching the bus for the first time on Wednesday.
For Paul Stevenson, it was his first time riding the bus since moving to Nelson from California.
The Te Pukenga NMIT student lived centrally and usually walked everywhere, but had decided to check out Richmond so caught the bus.
When he moved to New Zealand he wanted to try and live without a car, so having more frequent options would make it lot easier, especially on weekends.
“I’m glad to hear that Nelson is investing in the infrastructure.”
He found the new bus great to ride – particularly compared to California where most of the buses were old and rundown.
“I noted the acceleration was pretty peppy – it was fun.”
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