Shifting into new transport modes in Tauranga

Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt on an UBCO electric bike. Photo: supplied.

A new hub has opened up in Tauranga aiming to shift commuters from their car seats and into more sustainable forms of transport.

The Shift Hub is a Priority One initiative and launched last week, inviting commuters to book a free one –hour session to test ride alternative transport types and rethink their commute.

According to economic development organisation Priority One, 90 per cent of Tauranga work journeys are made by private motor vehicle.

“Tauranga has really bad traffic congestion,” says Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt.

“We’re really keen to build more roads and things like that because we need to with the population growth, but you also have to make the transport system more efficient. The best way of doing that is for people to get out of cars in whichever way is most convenient for them and to get into other modes. It might be biking, e-scootering or taking the bus.”

Mix of modes

Among the hub’s interactive experiences, commuters can try out and learn about a range of travel options from e-bikes, e-motorbikes, public transport, car share, e-scooters, e-mopeds, rideshare, cycling and more.

“We’ve got some guides at the hub that map out everyone’s commuter journey and work with them on what modes might be best for them.”

Nigel lives in Papamoa and says he uses a range of transport options for his commute to Tauranga CBD.

“I mix either biking, e-scootering or taking a car depending on what type of obligations I’ve got with family.”

“Businesses and staff need to do their bit to help our transport network become more efficient.”

He says there are numerous ways employers can support their staff into alternative transport.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean giving their employees money. It can be about having good facilities to shower up after a bike ride or it could be putting their fleet into GoTo Care Share.”

Encouraging change

“All we really want to do is get a bunch of people through [the Shift Hub] and encourage change but also learn a bit more which will enable us to get better information to the transport authorities so they can make services better in the infrastructure.”

Nigel says whatever the alternative transport mode “it’s got to be fun and it’s got to make people’s lives easier”.

“We’re just encouraging people to come have a look and hopefully they’ll find something that suits them.”

The Shift Hub is open from Monday to Saturday until July 29, and is located at 176 Cameron Rd. Each session runs for an hour and can take groups of up to 20 people. 

The Shift Hub is a brainchild of Priority One and is being run collaboration between a group of partners including Priority One, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Electrify.nz, GoTo Car Share, Hikotron, Farmer AutoVillage, Kaleprint, Lime, Locky Dock, Mediaworks, Mercury, University of Waikato and UBCO.

To book, email: www.rethinkyourcommute.co.nz

3 comments

Sorry not for me

Posted on 17-07-2023 10:18 | By Kancho

The idea of changing buses to get there and return would take more than an hour that a session would take. More likely to take two and a half hours or more . Certainly when walking to and from bus stops. Anyway it's avoid Cameron road like the plague for a long time now. My only option is a car to shop, attend hospital and pretty much anything . Can't rude a bike nor walk any long distance. So good on those who can but like many no options at present. Can't imagine how commercial, trade vehicles cope. And wait til the onslaught of trucks for the Gib factory coming soon


Good to see...

Posted on 17-07-2023 12:29 | By morepork

... something positive from Priority One. Giving people a chance to actually try alternatives is much better than simply preaching a government mantra. We all love our cars and I don't personally believe we will relinquish them, but there may be viable alternatives for commuting (as opposed to activities like shopping and sports, where we need the luggage space afforded by a vehicle.)


Realist

Posted on 17-07-2023 19:17 | By Feruno

The genius who came up with the idea of getting everyone on electric bikes, scooters, etc. needs to think about the burden he/she has proposed to businesses by firstly telling them to fork out showers and changing rooms, financial assistance to buy these electricity guzzlers, etc., helping them to plunge even further into bankruptcy, not to mention the workers killing and maiming themselves when a truck flattens them or they fall off. What about all the people who are not young enough to use these bikes, etc. ? Then we have the notorious NZ weather with freezing conditions and torrential rain for weeks on end ? Get real, good grief


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