A mandated transition to electric buses from central Government and “zero dollars” in funding has Waikato Regional Council leaders grappling with how to tackle a bill of up to $330 million.
And the burden looks likely to fall on ratepayers.
In January 2021, the Government announced it would require only [zero-emission public transport buses](https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/128563608/one-citys-mission-to-electrify-its-bus-fleet) to be purchased from 2025, with the target to complete decarbonisation of the public transport bus fleet by 2035.
The transition has already begun in Auckland, where there are 44 new electric buses, including 26 double deckers.
