New bendy bus is as long as they get

Orewa College students from Army Bay and Manly have a new articulated bus.

Their driver, Andi Jackson, has been selected to trial Bayes Coachlines’ 100th bus. A driver with more than 25 years experience, 17 of them with Bayes Coachlines, Andi has been doing the Army Bay run for about 14 years.

Andi is also a volunteer firefighter and often drives the Manly fire engine, so is no stranger to large vehicles.

"I have a good bunch of students. They will be thrilled with their new bus," Andi says.

The new bus, number 100, has a low floor with a wheelchair ramp. Like other modern buses it features the ability to lower itself for easier access, but it can also raise itself higher to negotiate low and tricky road surfaces.

It is equipped with air-conditioning, closed circuit surveillance TV and a public address system.

The dashboard has a multi-function LCD display that can show various aspects of the onboard systems at any given time.

This technology can also be used to monitor the vehicle systems back at the depot.

At 19 metres, it matches the length of the longest bus in New Zealand, also operated by Bayes Coachlines, but this is New Zealand’s first four-axle bus. It can seat 70 passengers, which can be increased to 74 with minor modifications.

- © Fairfax NZ News