Whangarei Hospital shuttle in top gear

Jim Bratty, a volunteer driver of the new electric shuttle bus. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Whangarei Hospital's courtesy shuttle buggy, which carries hospital visitors and patients up the steep hill from the carpark, has been replaced by a flash new electric vehicle.

The shuttle service has for years been offered to allow patients and visitors to travel without being disturbed by the weather.

A shuttle can ease the entry into the hospital for all sorts of injuries, from people experiencing pain to those struggling with disabilities.

This week the old golf-cart type shuttle was replaced by a Mitsubishi Minicab i-MiEV 2011 known as the Electric Shuttle Bug.

It is believed the tiny van is the first of its kind used as a shuttle in the country. It has a range of advantages over the old golf buggy.

The new shuttle is easier for passengers to get in and out of; causes less pollution because it is battery powered and only needs its battery charged once a week.

It seats up to four passengers with room for luggage and mobility aids. The shuttle is also roadworthy, so it can access sites around the hospital if needed.

Northland District Health Board facilities manager Brett Attwood said the only disadvantage of the shuttle having an electric motor is that it is extremely quiet and must have a red light installed on top to increase its visibility and maximise safety for pedestrians.

Mr Attwood said the shuttle was chosen in a year-long procurement process. Input on the decision to purchase the i-MiEV partly came from the 12 volunteer drivers.

"Our volunteer drivers didn't want vehicles built like existing cars because it's harder for elderly people to get in and out of a typical car," he said.

"With this van you can flop in and out without having to get up and down."

Mr Attwood said the i-MiEV was settled on quickly, although sourcing the vehicle was surprisingly hard as it was imported by from Japan by a Dunedin dealer.

He said he believes it is the only electric hospital shuttle in the country.

The shuttle will drive slightly fewer than 16 kilometres per day, 103 metres each way up and down the hospital hill, totalling an average of 77 trips per day.