[NZL] Howick and Eastern Sold

[Trolley Bus Racer]

Howick and Eastern in Auckland have been sold to Souter Holdings Ltd (Brian Souter Ex Stagecoach).
Let the catfight begin between them and NZ bus.

[ka9102]

God,what is he doing,is he gonna establish another PT giant in NZ by purchasing smaller operators?

[Trolley Bus Racer]

God they Shined up 910 alot for that!

[mmtranz2002]

God they Shined up 910 alot for that!

Looks more like a Photoshop version of 910

[Trolley Bus Racer]

Actually looking at the backround that would of been the Offical Eastbourne Connector Launch at the Lower Hutt town hall

[ka9102]

NZ bus just purchased Adams Travelines in whangarei,they are the next contractor to Northland council to provide Urban bus services in whangarei.10 of these Brand new MAN 16.233 have been delivered.Bodyworks by designline and body style is still the "NZ BUS exclusive round body".I am sick of seeing this kind of body bing used on all buses,especially the "new trolley buses".

As all the ex-ARA MB0303 peanuts have been cleared out from NZ bus/Stagecoach fleet,1000s are now the new series for these buses.I am happy to see they are still buying MANs.

[CB80]

16.233? Doesn't exist.

Would be a 16.240.

[mmtranz2002]

16.233? Doesn't exist.

Would be a 16.240.

I have checked with my Contacts within NZ Bus, These buses for Whangarei are definitely M.A.N 16.233's.

[CB80]

16.233? Doesn't exist.

Would be a 16.240.

I have checked with my Contacts within NZ Bus, These buses for Whangarei are definitely M.A.N 16.233's.

Well I dunno what the story is there but it's certainly not part of MAN's standard range. I suppose it could be a custom chassis.

Chassis range brochure: http://www.man-mn.com/mn-prod/man2/mast ... 6_E_03.pdf

[bussie]

16.233? Doesn't exist.

Would be a 16.240.

I have checked with my Contacts within NZ Bus, These buses for Whangarei are definitely M.A.N 16.233's.

It would be weird as MAN doesn't seem to have a specific designation for a 233hp (exact) engine, even if they were to, they would have rounded it off to 230 or 240. This means that its either a 16.230/240 or a NM/NL233. I'm guessing that it may be a A35 chassis.

[Trolley Bus Racer]

i can see this body is gonna become as frequintly seen as the Volgren CR228L body is here

it looked unique but now its just "salami on wheels"

[Mercedes]

i can see this body is gonna become as frequintly seen as the Volgren CR228L body is here

it looked unique but now its just "salami on wheels"

LOL these will become almost as frequently seen as VOlgen CR228L's here any how

[Vitalstatistix]

These new Designline bodies remind me of Donuts.
There rounded bodies and overstreched windscreen look wierd, but not tasty!

[Trolley Bus Racer]

Adam's are to be called North City Buses.

Whangarei Buses lost out to NZ Bus for local contract. Local council wanted new low floor buses with Euro engines and A/C for the new contract (set up?)

[Vitalstatistix]

Yeah well its not suprising running urban services with those ex Auckland Airport Scorpians (with the racks still in place).
Did Whangarei also run some Orana MAN's?

[readerbus]

Yes they did & still do have those little buggers. But to be quite honest Those little Aussies, along with the Ex Airbus Scorpions with their limited seating were still too big for the number of passengers. NZ Bus could have gotten away with using the Mighty Mercedes 709D's from the Hutt to cover the Whangarei Contracts.

[Vitalstatistix]

I wounder what will become of them?
Ex Air shuttles on school runs???
Wounder what would happen with their MAN's