Go Bus Christchurch
- "Christchurch Bus Services" redirects here. For bus services in Christchurch, see public transport in Christchurch
- Not to be confused with GoBus, the public transport system of Dunedin
| Founded | December 1, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Addington, Christchurch |
| Locale | New Zealand |
| Service area | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Service type | Bus service |
| Routes | B, O, Y, 44, 60, 80, 95X, 125, 130, 140, 150, 820, 951, 952, The Orbiter |
| Destinations | Belfast, Rangiora, Princess Margaret Hospital, Cashmere, Dallington, Hillmorton, Aidanfield, Southshore, Lincoln, Parklands, Waikuku, Pegasus, Redwood, Westlake, Christchurch Airport, Hei Hei, Hornby, Avonhead, Russley, Mount Pleasant, The Palms, Spencerville, Kaiapoi, Burnham, Rolleston, New Brighton |
| Hubs | Christchurch Bus Interchange |
| Fleet | Designline Mercedes-Benz City Bus, MAN (Designline), Zhong Tong Bus, Volvo B7RLE (Designline), MAN (Kiwi Bus Builders), Sunlong |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Website | Go Bus Christchurch |
Go Bus Christchurch Ltd.[1] is a bus company owned by Go Bus Transport Ltd. The company started off as Christchurch Bus Services Ltd in 2004. It was sold to Go Bus Ltd in November 2010 after it was found that Christchurch Bus Services had failed to maintain vehicle maintenance and put commuters in danger.[2]
Routes
Go Bus Christchurch operate all routes previously operated by Christchurch Bus Services under the Metro brand:
Vehicles
Go Bus Christchurch uses buses brought by Christchurch Bus Services and Leopard Coachlines, these include
| # | Make/Model | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 871-891(2004) | Designline Mercedes-Benz City Bus | New Zealand | |
| 894-897(2005) | Kiwi Bus Builders MAN 15.220 | New Zealand | |
| 844-846(2006) | Designline MAN 16.223 | New Zealand | All in Blue Line Livery |
| 847-848(2006) | Designline MAN 18.223 | New Zealand | All in Blue Line livery |
| 801-820(2010) & 849-862(2007) | Zhongtong Bus LCK6112G | China | #801-820 Delayed in delivery due to floods in China; #152 Crashed heaverly, Returned to Service as #852; #802 in GoBus Livery |
| 821-826(2010) & 863(2010) | Zhongtong Bus LCK6126G/HG | China | #821-826 Delayed in delivery due to floods in China |
| 865-866 | 2012 Volvo B7RLE (Designline) | New Zealand | All in Blue Line livery |
| 164-191(2009) | Zhongtong Bus LCK6910G | China | School Buses |
| 31-32; 34-35; 50 & 434 | Coachwork International MAN SL202 | New Zealand | Temporary Buses from Go Bus Hamilton and Red Bus Originally Numbered in the 800-820, they were renumbered on arrival of New Zhongtong Buses |
History
Christchurch Bus Services
Christchurch Bus Services Ltd operated Metro routes for Environment Canterbury, and private charter services for groups and schools. It was purchased in December 2010 by Go Bus Transport, of Hamilton, New Zealand.
Timaru operations
Christchurch Bus Services previously operated in Timaru, South Canterbury through its subsidiary Timaru Bus Services, before terminating the contract with 18 months left, due to financial issues. Ritchies Transport gained the five Timaru routes.[3]
Operation Otautahi Waka
Operation Otautahi Waka ('Christchurch transport')[2] was a commercial vehicle check on buses conducted by the New Zealand Police on 18 November 2010.[4] Christchurch Bus Services Ltd had four buses ordered off the road, which resulted in it being unable to operate a number of routes. These buses returned to duty the following day after repairs. Redbus and Leopard also had buses ordered off the road. Environment Canterbury gave Christchurch Bus Services until 5pm, 19 November 2010 to complete sale negotiations or lose their contracts for a number of routes. After CBS was sold, it was ruled an illegal action on the part of Environment Canterbury by the Courts and CBS owners received the money owed.
Purchase of Leopard urban bus
In July 2013 Gobus Transport took over the urban operations of Leopard Coachlines, gaining around 90 buses.[5]
References
- ↑ 'Christchurch Bus Services Sold' - Environment Canterbury Website
- 1 2 Gates, Charlie (19 November 2010). "Police take 28 Christchurch buses off the road". The Press. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ 'Change in service provider for Timaru Metro services' - Environment Canterbury Website
- ↑ 'Safety paramount for bus services' - Environment Canterbury Website
- ↑ "Christchurch-based Leopard Coachlines is selling its city bus routes and commuter buses to Hamilton's Go Bus...", stuff.co.nz