Ritchies spending $21m on new school bus fleet

[mkav]

from 3news.co.nz

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 3:19p.m.
Bus company Ritchies says it will spend $21 million buying 120 new buses from local manufacturer DesignLine over the next four years to replace its nation-wide school bus fleet.

The buses will be a mix of 40 and 48-seaters and will have the latest in emission controls. The first is expected to roll out of DesignLine's new Rolleston factory in March.

Ritchies, New Zealand's largest operator with a fleet of over 900 buses, said it was investing in New Zealand-made buses because of their quality and safety features. Second-hand Japanese buses' emission levels were too high and cheaper Chinese versions did not have the quality of DesignLine's buses, said director Andrew Ritchie.

Andrew Green, managing director of DesignLine, said that this type of order vindicates the company's decision to invest in a totally new production facility at Rolleston, near Christchurch.

It was now looking at doubling production to at least 500 buses a year and hoped to be able to replace many of the Japanese imports on the country's roads that were due for replacement.

"We have been absent from the school bus market in the last few years, but with our new facility able to produce a very cost-efficient, lightweight aluminium extrusion body we are now a serious player in this market.

NZPA

[Vitalstatistix]

This is some groundbreaking news and its good to see one of New Zealand's largest private operators taking a stand in leading the industry forward.

[ka9102]

nothing but waste of money.....

I thougt that designline is more or less a chinese company nowadays..

[kaiwhara]

Try American...

[Vitalstatistix]

Try American...

I think ka9102 was refering to built quality rather than ownership.

[ka9102]

these school buses will be built on the hino truck chassises similar to those H&E ones.

it works out the price at $175000 each.well the zhongtong school buses currently bing advertised on trademe are priced at $143000 each.

[Mercman]

these school buses will be built on the hino truck chassises similar to those H&E ones.

it works out the price at $175000 each.well the zhongtong school buses currently bing advertised on trademe are priced at $143000 each.

Yeah, but who in there rite mind would want an ugly ZhongTong Bus.

[Mr OC Benz]

Ritchies has done quite well. Being able to afford that. jees!

[Vitalstatistix]

Yeah, but who in there rite mind would want an ugly ZhongTong Bus.

These Zhong Tongs, Ankais etc seem to be very popular with many of Aucklands asian tourist owner / operators.

[ka9102]

wots ankais?

[Vitalstatistix]

A new coach in the market. I saw one roaming around Auckland last month.

[ka9102]

richies should really spend some money on their urban fleet,those optera can be stepped down as school buses...

[Vitalstatistix]

richies should really spend some money on their urban fleet,those optera can be stepped down as school buses...

I think the Optares are doing a good job for the mean time, especially on the Shore. Some have had extensive interior refits.

[ka9102]

cough*cough*

the optares are worse than any designlines and they are as bad as the nissans

[Vitalstatistix]

cough*cough*

the optares are worse than any designlines and they are as bad as the nissans

sure, but I never said anything in that post regard Optares in relation to Ritchies.

[ka9102]

richies can actually purchase some sl202s from redbus...

[Vitalstatistix]

richies can actually purchase some sl202s from redbus...

Wouldn't that be a step in the wrong direction?

[ka9102]

for their school services.

[Vitalstatistix]

for their school services.

Yes, buying old buses, when they are buying new buses sound like a step backwards in terms of "upgrading" the school fleet.

[CB80]

nothing but waste of money.....

I thougt that designline is more or less a chinese company nowadays..

I would think the operator would know more about this than you would.

[ka9102]

nothing but waste of money.....

I thougt that designline is more or less a chinese company nowadays..

I would think the operator would know more about this than you would.

more about what??

[kaiwhara]

Agreed, we seem to have a few self appointed transport 'experts' getting things completely wrong at the moment...

I would think the operator would know more about this than you would.

[CB80]

more about what??

- The quality of the buses.
- The value for money.

Operators don't just hand out money to anyone, they look at all the available options and then choose what is the best for them. The director of Richies in the article bluntly stated that, and remember this man is in charge of a very large operator of buses, that the Chinese equivalents were not as good quality as the Designline units.

Now, I don't know Richies fleet, but I assume like most NZ operators they would have a large number of Designlines and would be more than qualified to make this statement. They may have Chinese buses too, but even if they don't, they would have access to demo units and similar to get a good look at them.

Also you have to look at after sales support, you can buy off a company that is largely based in NZ, with significant manufacturing bases in NZ. If you have an issue they can come and take a look directly, or if its very serious you can take it back to the factory to have it repaired. With Chinese manufacturers they might have an office in NZ, but more than likely you are just dealing with a dealer, all repairs are by a third party, if there are manufacturing defects they cant do much, this is all assuming they still want to know you after they've taken your money, for the price you pay, you don't get much.

[ptlivestock]

Have any designs or artists impressions of these schoolbuse surfaced as yet. Someone there is talking NZ $175 and if thats valid then they should be on paper (or hard drive)

Reason I ask is that Ritchies have been up here in Samoa twice in the last couple of months and the second time (last week I think), Designline was in tow. They have been talking with Government on how they can assist in modernising Samoas bus operations and mention was made of aluminium constructed bodies!!!

As for Hino truck type or modified truck type chassis, perhaps they may be just the thing for more rugged roads wherever, as is evidenced in Fiji, where they seem to be the chassis of choice. And thinking way back in time...most bus chassis utilised in NZ over the many decades have all been based on truck types and technology.

PT

[CB80]

Reason I ask is that Ritchies have been up here in Samoa twice in the last couple of months and the second time (last week I think), Designline was in tow. They have been talking with Government on how they can assist in modernising Samoas bus operations and mention was made of aluminium constructed bodies!!!

As for Hino truck type or modified truck type chassis, perhaps they may be just the thing for more rugged roads wherever, as is evidenced in Fiji, where they seem to be the chassis of choice. And thinking way back in time...most bus chassis utilised in NZ over the many decades have all been based on truck types and technology.

PT

Sounds like Ritchies are trying to act as a sales agent to sell Designline made truck chassis buses to Samoa. I can see this being a good solution for Samoa as the initial purchase price would be lower than that of a low-floor bus, and the truck chassis should be able to handle rougher roads better than a low-floor bus.