Beware! Here comes super-quiet bus

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Pedestrians had better be on their guard when Auckland's first hybrid-electric buses take to the inner city streets today.

The buses run so quietly, Stagecoach driver-instructor Brian Stier fears people might step out in front of them.

The streamlined 30-seaters emit only a low hum under acceleration, compared with a roaring diesel.

Road noise is slight because there is no engine vibration and the buses are sealed from outside, having air-conditioning instead of open windows.

Conversations of a confidential nature will be unwise. Even whispers carry down the aisle. Mr Stier said drivers would hear any mutters of criticism about their driving, but they would also no longer have to strain to hear passengers trying to talk to them.

Reduced noise also means less stress for drivers during a long shift at the wheel.

When the new buses accelerate, they draw on solid gel, water-cooled batteries.

But under braking or at a standstill, the batteries are topped up by a gas turbine fuelled by low-level sulphur diesel.

Stagecoach New Zealand has bought four of the hybrid buses, which are made by Designline of Ashburton.

Three will join the bright red buses Stagecoach runs on the free city circuit, sponsored by Heart of the City, Auckland Regional Council and Auckland City Council. Patrons of other city routes may get a chance to ride the fourth bus, said Stagecoach marketing manager Russell Turnbull.

The company will use the fourth bus for six months to "run it in" before it is shipped to Stagecoach headquarters in Scotland for evaluation.

But Mr Turnbull is downbeat on the chances of many hybrids gracing Auckland streets.

Operators are sensitive about the hybrid's price - at $560,000 it is twice that of a conventional diesel bus.

Ratepayers are subsidising the bus purchase because borrowing is likely to be included in operating costs in the four-year contract, said ARC transport committee chairwoman Catherine Harland. But in this case, the bus was for a specific route and cost was spread over a partnership.

For wider use, it would be a matter of whether ratepayers thought the environmental and comfort benefits were worth paying more for.

"The priority is getting more buses on overcrowded routes and more buses going across to different places."

Designline, which sells the bus to Japan and Hong Kong, argues lower running costs recover the price in 12 years.