People with disabilities, mobility issues or anxiety surrounding using city buses are being invited to try out the Bay Hopper accessible vehicles next week.

On Thursday (December 3), CCS Disability, alongside with Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty regional Council and Go Bus, are hosting a ‘Have a Go' event involving accessible buses.

The event is taking place next Thursday (December 3). Photo: File.

Tauranga City Council Community Development Committee chair Steve Morris says the initiative is aimed at offering people the chance to familiarise themselves with local bus features so they feel more confident using public transport.

'Public transport is absolutely essential in making sure our city is accessible for everyone,” says Steve, 'and this event is a great way of helping people to feel more confident using our local buses so they can participate fully in their community.

'People will have the chance to try out the ramps, choose the most suitable routes and become familiar with timetables and ticketing options, all in a supportive environment without any pressure.”

The event is taking place next Thursday from 11am to 2pm at the Wharf Street bus stop, outside TSB Bank in Tauranga's Central Business District.

It's timed to coincide with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is this year themed as 'Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities”.

'Taking a bus is one of those seemingly simple activities that most people do without a second thought,” says CCS Disability Action Bay of Plenty access coordinator Mandy Gudgeon.

'But many people, due to age, disability, illness, frailty, anxiety or fear, can find taking public transport a real challenge.

'There are quite a number of processes involved, from hailing the bus to buying tickets, finding a seat and working out how and when to push call buttons.

'This event gives anyone who has concerns about catching a bus the chance to prepare for future journeys and ask any questions they may have.”

Council is supporting the event as part of its Disability Strategy, which aims to remove the barriers faced by people living with a disability, and sets out how council will contribute towards making Tauranga a more inclusive city.

The team from Emergency Management Bay of Plenty will also be at the event with emergency information specific for people with disabilities.

For more information on the Tauranga City Council Disability Strategy, click here.