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What was unusual about the shuttle bus in Queenstown?

Said to be ideal for city centres, the shuttle's also got technology on board to get passengers to their destination safely. Ohmio research and development head Mahmood Hikmet says it's similar to an autonomous tram running on virtual tracks. ''The tracks are plotted on GPS, and if anything gets in the way, it stops.



The shuttle bus systems in Queenstown, New Zealand, are often noted for their extreme specialized utility rather than a standard city bus experience. One unusual feature is the Ski Bus fleet, which is uniquely equipped to navigate the steep, unsealed, and often snow-covered access roads to the Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski fields; these buses often require the use of heavy-duty tire chains and specialized braking systems not seen on urban buses. Additionally, the Super Shuttle service in the region is unusual because it operates without a meter, providing fixed-price, door-to-door shared rides that prioritize "on-demand" efficiency over set routes. Another notable aspect in 2026 is the transition toward electric shuttle fleets that operate in an alpine environment, which is a significant engineering feat given the impact of cold temperatures on battery life and the extreme torque required for mountain climbs. These buses are a lifeline for the town's tourism-heavy economy, moving thousands of adventurers to remote trailheads and slopes daily.

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Early buses, known as trolleybuses, were powered by electricity supplied from overhead lines.

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The first public bus system was introduced in Nantes, France, by Stanislas Baudry in 1826. These omnibuses (from the latin meaning, 'for all') were horse-drawn carriages that could carry up to 16 passengers.

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The first vehicle was delivered to the “Netphener Omnibus-Gesellschaft mbH” bus company in the Siegerland region of Germany, today part of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The world's first motorized bus went into service on 18 March 1895.

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Horse-drawn buses were used from the 1820s, followed by steam buses in the 1830s, and electric trolleybuses in 1882. The first internal combustion engine buses, or motor buses, were used in 1895.

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The red double-decker buses in London have become a national symbol of England. Most buses in London, as in the rest of the UK, are double-deckers.

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Queenstown made a bit of Kiwi history this week when, for the first time in the country, an autonomous shuttle bus started cranking on an ''open public road'' — Lower Beach Street, which is still closed to traffic.

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Getting around Queenstown is easy, whether you use the $2 public bus network, explore the region by foot or by bike on the Queenstown Trail, or hire your own car. For an extra scenic option, hop on the Queenstown ferry network which operates scheduled daily services from Frankton to Queenstown.

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