More direct routes, more frequent services and more reliable buses are part of the new Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty bus network which starts on Monday morning.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Public Transport Committee Chairman Lyall Thurston says it is the first time the network has been changed since 2008.
'In the last ten years the region has seen unprecedented growth. The new network is designed to improve reliability and on time performance.
'It has been redesigned to provide more direct routes and stronger connections between areas outside of the Tauranga city centre.”
New routes have been introduced to address urban growth issues including the new CBD and hospital routes that leave every 15 minutes, and the Golden Sands Express.
Cr Lyall said at least 30 per cent of passengers will have shorter journey times because of more direct routes.
"More frequent buses will enable people to travel closer to their desired travel times, so there will be savings in their journey times as well.”
New features on buses include bike racks and internal and external CCTV cameras.
Regional Council is committed to low carbon transport, with five electric buses rolling out across the network from mid 2019.
The public transport network is paid one third by Bay of Plenty Regional Council; one third is covered by fares; one third is paid by the New Zealand Transport Authority. There is also a SuperGold fare subsidy administered by Ministry of Social Development to fund free bus travel for seniors.
3 comments
No changes for Welcome Bay
Posted on 09-12-2018 21:01 | By dembridges
Why is there still no bus route to Windermere/Greerton/Hospital form Welcome Bay
Buses are a joke!
Posted on 10-12-2018 13:29 | By jed
The bus website sitll shows the old bayfair 'preconstruction' busstop still in use. No service notices to indicate otherwise. My son couldn't find the busstop, phone bayhopper, they say the old one is still in use too. Quite clearly, it is impossible for a bus to navigate but my son waits a while longer and calls me again saying buses are not coming in. Phone bayhopper AGAIN, speak to a manager who says they moved the busstop to farm st, just didn't update their website or tell their staff! JOKE!
What a Shambles!
Posted on 11-12-2018 14:45 | By Taffy
If you think this new timetable provides more direct routes and stronger connections and more frequent buses thereby enabling them to travel closer to their desired travel times so there will be savings in their journey times,please rethink. To go from a single trip direct to the CBD taking 20 mins to having to transfer to a second bus with that bus stop no where near where I get off the first ,waiting for the second bus now takes 45 mins to the CBD. Why would I bother with the bus?
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