SmartRide photos on Flickr

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Tauranga Go Bus No. 246 17/3/2015 by Wayne Duncan

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A refresh of a blast from the past grab shot by 'busboy' of the 1996 Nissan Diesel RM211 37-seater import from Japan in 2001 on SH29 that runs from Greerton to Hairini and obviously a favourite "hack spot" for bus fans photographing buses travelling to and from the Go Bus depot in Maleme St. in Greerton.

Nowadays, Tauranga is the domain of NZ Bus where they own a fleet of 135 buses running approximately .38 million service trips and 5.1 million in-service kilometres per annum and operating approximately 78 routes in Tauranga and Te Puke.

NZ Bus took over in Tauranga when contracts held by Go Bus, Reesby Rotorua Ltd, Bethlehem Coachlines and Uzabus expired in December 2018.

Bus Information for AHE856:

Operator - Go Bus Transport Ltd - Kinetic Group

Depot - Te Puke

Fleet Number - 246

Registration - AHE856

Chassis Type - Nissan Diesel

Chassis No. - 7A8DH4M0901000449

Body Manufacturer - Nissan

Body Date - 1996

Seating Codes - B37F

Notes - ex (46) AHE856, Lewis Hodgson Motor Services Ltd, Te Awamutu; ex Japan.

Livery - GoBus

Date Last Change - 04/04/2020

Operator - Lewis Hodgson Motor Services Ltd - Te Awamutu

Fleet Number - 46

Registration - AHE856 (NZ First Registration: 4 December 2001)

Chassis Type - Nissan Diesel

Chassis No. - 7A8DH4M0901000449

Body Manufacturer - Nissan

Body Date - 1996

Seating Codes - B37F

Notes - ex Japan.

Livery - Hodgson

Date Last Change - 06/04/2020

NEW HOME FOR TAURANGA BUSES

Friday, 19 June, 2009

Tauranga’s buses will have a new home when Go Bus Transport opens their local depot in Maleme Street, Greerton.

Environment Bay of Plenty is set to launch their new-look Bay Hopper buses when the new contract officially changes hands on 29 June, 2009.

Earlier this year the Council re-tendered the Tauranga urban bus contract and Go Bus Transport was successful its bid to win the contract.

The depot will house nearly 60 drivers and a new bus fleet that includes 25 brand new super-low floor buses and 10 nearly new super-low floor buses. The buses are larger and more accessible which is good news for parents with buggies, people who are less mobile and greater comfort for all.

Environment Bay of Plenty Transport Committee Chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said he was pleased to see Go Bus Transport was setting up a base here in Tauranga.

“With a brand new fleet of buses it’s good to see that Go Bus Ltd can set up a base for operations locally and bring a community focus to the Bay Hopper bus service.”

Passengers will be able to take advantage of new direct routes that include Mount to Greerton via City, Mount to Greerton via Bayfair and City, and Papamoa to City every 15 minutes.

Along with new buses and new direct routes, a simple fare structure has been introduced. Passengers will pay only $2.50 for a City Ticket (just $2.00 with Smartride card) which covers all routes except journeys between Papamoa East and the City centre, which will cost $3.00 (just $2.40 with Smartride card).

A free 60 minute transfer has also been retained enabling unlimited travel within an hour of purchasing a ticket.

New route numbers have also been introduced under the new contract. Existing passengers will be able to take note of the number for their current route in the new timetables that will available.

The new-look yellow Bay Hopper buses will be on the streets of Tauranga when the new urban bus contract begins operating from 29 June 2009.

Tauranga Go Bus #246, 17.3.2015 by Wayne Duncan

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A grab shot by 'busboy' of the 1996 Nissan Diesel RM211 38-seater on SH29 that runs from Greerton to Hairini and obviously a favourite "hack spot" for bus fans photographing buses travelling to and from the Go Bus depot in Maleme St. in Greerton.

New home for Tauranga buses