Battery buses for Hamilton?

The days of diesel-powered buses trundling around Hamilton’s streets are numbered as transport bosses signal a major overhaul of public transport across Waikato. The short-term future of the city’s bus services has come under increasing scrutiny following a 30% drop-off in passenger numbers when compared to pre-Covid figures.

Compounding difficulties has been a crippling shortage of bus drivers. Hamilton bus services have been running on a reduced timetable since late February as operator Go Bus tries to fill a 20 per cent shortfall in drivers.

Regional councillor Angela Strange,​ who chairs the regional connections committee, said an immediate focus in getting passengers back on city buses. The way to do this is to offer a network of frequently serviced routes.