Kinetic to deploy 201 zero-emission buses under $446 million Auckland Transport contract

Kinetic has been awarded all four contract units in Auckland Transport’s Tranche 3 bus services tender, valued at NZD755 million (around USD446 million), with a large-scale zero-emission fleet deployment scheduled from 2027.

Auckland Transport has awarded global transit operator Kinetic the four contract units included in the Tranche 3 bus services tender for Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. The contract has a total value of NZD755 million (around USD446 million) and represents the largest contract award received by the company in the city to date, according to a press note.

The three central units will operate for a period of 11 years, while the eastern unit will run for 8.6 years. The contracts cover routes across central and eastern Auckland and maintain Kinetic’s operational presence across both parts of the network. Services under the eastern contract unit will commence in December 2026. Operations for the central Auckland units will start in July 2027.

Kinetic currently operates more than 630 buses within Auckland’s public transport system. Under the new agreements the operator will retain its central and east Auckland services while integrating additional routes from the eastern unit into its operations.

The new contract follows another recent award for Kinetic in New Zealand. The operator has also secured a NZD100 million contract (around USD59 million) in Dunedin, where 37 electric buses are expected to enter service from October, according to the press note.

Kinetic in Auckland, zero emission buses coming

Kinetic is currently the largest mass transit operator in Australasia, with over 12,000 buses and 400 trains operated across seven countries through its various subsidiaries. The group also holds a 51% stake in the UK-based Go-Ahead Group. In late 2025 Kinetic has entered into an agreement with U.S.-based investment firm TPG, under which the latter will acquire a 70 percent equity interest and become the company’s majority shareholder.

The contract includes an investment exceeding NZD121 million (around USD71 million) for the procurement of new zero-emission buses and the development of depot infrastructure and charging capacity. According to the press note, “Kinetic will operate 201 zero-emission buses over the life of the contract, including 125 new vehicles entering service in 2027. Overall, 165 zero-emission buses will be deployed from day one of the central units in July 2027 – the largest single rollout of zero-emission buses at mobilisation in New Zealand”.

The vehicle programme also includes lightweight electric double-decker buses built using aerospace-grade aluminium technology. The design aims to maintain structural strength and passenger capacity while reducing overall vehicle weight.

Depot infrastructure and operational systems

The fleet rollout is accompanied by upgrades to depot infrastructure and charging systems at several Auckland facilities operated by Kinetic. The programme includes the installation of a second overhead gantry charging system at the company’s City depot.

The project expands the charging infrastructure already installed at the Glenfield depot, where a large-scale overhead gantry system is currently in operation. Additional infrastructure works include the expansion of charging capacity to support the deployment of the new electric fleet.

Kinetic will also introduce updated real-time operational systems across the network covered by the contracts. According to the press note, these systems are designed to increase operational visibility and support service management across the network.

At the start of central unit operations the fleet deployed on these routes will be fully zero-emission. The contracts form part of Auckland Transport’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap, which includes a target to transition the city’s entire bus fleet to zero emissions by 2035.

Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards said: ‘This is a landmark contract for Kinetic and a major step forward for zero-emission public transport in Auckland. We are investing in the fleet, depot infrastructure and people required to support Auckland Transport’s decarbonisation objectives and the city’s continued growth. New Zealand represents our most advanced zero-emission market within Australasia, and the Auckland award further strengthens that position while reinforcing Kinetic’s leadership in electrification at scale across the region”.

Kinetic Managing Director (New Zealand) Calum Haslop said: “This contract delivers a fully electric fleet across the isthmus from day one and represents a significant investment in modern fleet, depot infrastructure and operational systems to support a reliable, customer-focused network. This contract will shape how thousands of Aucklanders move across the city every day for more than a decade. It also provides long-term confidence for our people, ensuring our drivers and operational teams have the fleet, systems and support they need to deliver safe and dependable services for the communities we serve.”