8.1 Introduction
There are a large number of buses used in the urban bus fleets that have been purchased over the last 20+ years. Some of the more recent ones will meet or exceed all or most of the criteria listed in this document for new buses, but many of the earlier purchases will not.
The NZTA encourages operators to speed up the replacement of the older 'less user or environmentally friendly' vehicles.
Therefore, the following will be the minimum standards acceptable for existing buses that are less than 10 years old submitted for service in any type of urban tender or bus operation as described in section 1.1 with effect from the date of introduction of this standard.
Further, with effect from 1 January 2012, all used buses must meet the minimum standards listed below.
8.2 Existing bus standards
| Power to weight ratio | 14 bhp/tonne |
| Acceleration | 0-20 km/h 5 secs 0-50 km/h 30 secs |
| Range without refuelling | 300 km or 15 hours operation |
| Emission | Euro 2 or equivalent |
| Transmission | MB/LB automatic |
| Suspension | MB/LB Full air with levelling |
| Doors | SB/MB 1 LB 2 Width >700 mm |
| Step height | <370 mm |
| Additional steps or seat plinths | <230 mm |
| Floor and levels | Non-slip material in boarding and aisle area. No more than two steps in the aisle along whole internal length of vehicle. |
| Step edge | Highlighter to top edge of nose. |
| Stanchions/handrails | One close to each door plus at least two in each saloon area, ie forward of rear door and behind rear door. |
| Grab handles | On aisle side of all seat backs. |
| Heating and ventilation | Drivers area plus >2 saloon heaters. |
| Demisting | Front windscreen and front door windows. |
| Bus stop request | Bell push or cord within reach of seated and standing passengers in every second row of seats. Illuminated 'Bus stopping' display. |
| Destination | Front route no - three characters >100 mm in height. Front and side destination characters >60 mm in height. |
| Luggage | Space allocated towards the front of the vehicle to safely stow 2 x folded prams or 1 large backpack/suitcase or similar sized piece of luggage or package. |
