THE biggest coach in New Zealand, a double-decker built for the Masterton-based Tranzit Group, went on show in Masterton yesterday (Tue).
The coach wears the livery of InterCity Coachlines but is owned by Tranzit, which holds more than 40 per cent of InterCity shares. It will be used on the Auckland-to-Wellington night run, Tranzit manager Les Cockeram said.
The Scania- powered coach, built in Tauranga by Kiwi Coach Builders, is the first of four being built for InterCity shareholders, at a total cost of over $2.5 million. One hundred per cent Kiwi owned and operated, InterCity Group has invested more than $10 million during the past three years to enhance, maintain and invest in its national network infrastructure.
At almost 14m long and 4.2m high, the new double-decker coach stands about the same height as three cars stacked on top of each other. It has 65 reclining chairs, three video screens and an onboard toilet, making long-distance travel comfortable. Four air-conditioning units ensure temperature stability throughout the coach.
The new coach is expected to cover 340,000km a year, equivalent to 8.5 times around the world, carrying 30 per cent more passengers and using 15 per cent less fuel than the vehicle it replaces. Operating at optimal capacity, it will carry 23,725 passengers a year, equivalent to removing 47,000 private vehicle journeys from the roads a year.
Safety features abound, including disc brakes on all axles, traction control and anti-lock and electronic braking systems. A black box recorder keeps track of rpm, oil pressure, water temperature, brake applications, indicator use plus vehicle speed.
The coach took interested people to Mt Bruce and back yesterday.
Double-decker rewrites the records
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