Tauranga City Councillors have decided to lower the planned rates increases and explore trialling free school buses for intermediate and secondary school pupils from Welcome Bay school pupils.

The decisions came as councillors continue with Long Term Plan deliberations this week.

The rates increase is capped at 3.8 per cent which is Consumer Price index, plus two per cent.

The note on the Tauranga City Council website states the 3.8 per cent doesn't include the rates increase needed for a Council-led kerbside waste and recycling service, yet to be discussed in the deliberations process.

As this is the preferred option, this figure is subject to change as discussions continue.

The proposed rates increase in the draft LTP was 9.6 per cent.

The rating structure changes have been left on the table.

Councillors are going to consider the impact of the decision to restore the rates cap on the proposed changes to the Annual Uniform General Charge, and the proposed introduction of a commercial differential rate, and the proposed targeted city centre rate.

The decision supporting delivery in conjunction with the BOP Regional Council, of free school buses is part of the decision to support the ‘Balanced public transport and active mode' programme of the Tauranga Transport Programme.

The big decision on Tuesday was voting against a museum for the second time. The first decision was in 2007 when the waterfront museum proposal was rejected by the electorate.

The library decision has been left until later in the deliberations process.