Environment Canterbury announces Metro tender results

Environment Canterbury today released the results of its latest round of tendering for Metro services in Christchurch and Timaru.

Leopard Coachlines won the tender for the Hornby-Southshore route as well as Lincoln, Rolleston-City and Burnham-Lincoln via Rolleston. Christchurch Bus Services won the Tower Junction-Aranui route and the Hei-Hei-Burwood and Russley-Avondale route.

Ritchies Transport won the Burnham to Upper Riccarton schools’ route as well as Timaru services and schools’ routes.

Environment Canterbury’s acting director operations Wayne Holton-Jeffreys said Metro users could expect the same high standards of service from the new contractors, for five-year contracts beginning in November.

He said the council’s competitive tendering process for Metro routes is robust and serves the best interests of Christchurch and Timaru ratepayers and bus users.

“The tender process is designed specifically to be fair to all parties and to ensure the ongoing provision of quality passenger transport services in the region.

“A number of factors are considered during that tender process - these include the company’s track record, services promotion, contract performance and reliability, staff training and expertise and quality of vehicles. Only when a company has met the minimum required quality standards is their tendered price considered.”

Mr Holton-Jeffreys noted that the three person panel awarding the tenders included an independent member who ensured the transparency of the process and provided reports on that process to the individual companies. This is in line with New Zealand Transport Agency procurement guidelines.

“The successful contractors will continue to provide the highest standards of public transport for the benefit of Canterbury people, as recognised by an independent Ministry of Transport report covering Australasia,” he said.