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Napier Art Deco tour bus 14/10/2013

Snapped on Marine Parade in Napier on 14 October 2013, a web-sourced view of one of the two US school buses that had been converted for a Napier City Council initiated Art Deco tourist service – this one named Belle - which began in April 2013 but canned in May 2014, the last services operating on Sunday, 4 May 2014.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said at the time that lower than forecast passenger numbers combined with high maintenance costs meant the service was not a viable venture for the council to continue operating.

 

DECO CITY BUSES TO BE DISCONTINUED

Napier City Council Media Release

At a Council meeting last week Napier City Council passed a resolution to discontinue the Deco City Discoverer bus service and put the buses up for tender.

The two customised Art Deco-style buses, Veronica and Belle, will complete their last circuit of Marine Parade, Ahuriri and Westshore, on Sunday, 4 May 2014.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton says while the feedback from patrons has been positive, lower than forecast passenger numbers combined with high maintenance costs mean the service is not a viable venture for Council to continue to operate.

“The school holidays will provide an opportunity for people to take a ride on the Deco buses if they haven’t done so already,” Mr Dalton says.

“There are lots of interesting things to see and do enroute the buses and the commentary provided on-board gives patrons a great overview of the history of Napier and Ahuriri.”

The buses will be put up for tender late May 2014.

 

NAPIER MAY SELL 'ART DECO' BUSES

22 March 2014

Napier City Council is considering selling its Deco City Discoverer buses after only a year in operation.

The buses began operating last year.

It bought two old American school buses in 2012 for $800,000 and a further $200,000 was spent converting them to art deco style. More money was then needed to fix several mechanical problems.

The buses began operating in April last year and have since struggled for patronage.

A report to the council's Finance Committee is recommending they be put up for tender.

Council chief executive Wayne Jack said the buses have also been unreliable, with higher than expected maintenance costs, and the council has lost about $200,000 due to lack of patronage.

"They have been very popular for charters and use in weddings so I think (for) a private operator there is an opportunity there. But using it on a daily basis really hasn't worked." - RNZ News

 

CARJAM DETAILS:

Make: 1996 FACTORY BUILT

Model: BUS THOMAS

Colour: White

Second Colour: Black

Submodel: 1T88U

VIN: 1T88U3B24S1134609

Plate: GSR622

Engine No: 46629113

Chassis: 1T88U3B24S1134609

Vehicle Type: Bus

Seats: 30

CC rating: 5,900cc

Fuel Type: Diesel

Assembly Type: Imported Built-Up

Country of Origin: USA

Gross Vehicle Mass: 15,513kg

Tare Weight: 9,750kg

Axles: 2

Wheelbase: 5,850

Front Axle Group Rating: 5,987

Rear Axle Group Rating: 9,525

Photos

Theftabilty: 1 in 95,000

Estimated Current Odometer: 71,800 Km

Last Odometer Reading: 28,091 Km on 14 August 2014

Odometer Reliable?

Imported with Damage:

Water/Fire Damage:

Statutory Write-off:

NZ First Registration: 14 February 2013

Registered previously in: USA

First Overseas Registration: 5 July 1996

 

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Uploaded on August 21, 2016