The arrival of an Uber-like ride-sharing bus service in Tauranga has been described as “wonderful” and “fantastic” by passengers, including one with a spinal injury who says they now have their life back.
The $1.9 million trial of the on-demand bus service was launched in Tauranga South in March to enhance public transport flexibility and sustainability.
The buses, which include four eight-seater electric minivans and one five-seater with ramps and a wheelchair hoist, do not stick to routes or a schedule. Rather, users log their location on the BayBus On Demand app and say where in Tauranga South they want to go and when.
The trial has been funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi with a 49% and 51% split, respectively.
When the idea was floated in 2022, it was described as “sort of” like Uber but with buses.
It covers the Greerton, Gate Pā, Parkvale, Pyes Pā, Lakes and Tauriko suburbs and will run for 18 months. So far, it has completed about 8350 rides and more than 2600 people have created OnDemand app accounts.
Some 92% of passengers rated the service 5 out of 5 stars.
Council public transport director Ollie Haycock says feedback shows passengers feel the service allows “for more spontaneity in their travel, offering flexibility and convenience compared to traditional fixed-route services”.
One passenger’s comment is: “My wife and I have used the service many times, especially the electric van on trial in South Tauranga. It makes travel to The Lakes and the hospital so much easier for us being so convenient. It takes a ride or two to get used to using the app, but it is wonderful once you do.”
Other feedback includes a passenger with a spinal injury who says: “Now there is this fantastic service and I have my life back! I have a newfound freedom and I can’t tell you just how much that means to me.”
Ollie says: “Additionally, we frequently receive feedback from people asking when the service will be available in their area, indicating a strong interest in how on-demand can work as part of the overall transport system toolkit for our region.”
Towards the end of the trial, regional councillors will review the service and, if considered successful, it could be rolled out to the rest of the city.
Ollie says that, while the on-demand service is popular compared to the previous Route 51, it covers a different area and offers a different type of service.
“The on-demand service provides broader coverage and flexibility, allowing for dynamic routing based on real-time demand, unlike the fixed-route service that operated on a set schedule and route.”
Council public transport committee chairman Andrew von Dadelszen says the first three months of the service has shown a remarkable increase in popularity.
“Route 51 was only doing a couple of hundred, at best 350 people, a month ... if you average the three months prior [to the on-demand service], it wouldn’t have been 800. This service, in three months, has done 4600.
“I think it’s exciting. I’m hoping it will stay but we haven’t seen the financials yet.”
Andrew says the potential cost of the service could be a pitfall. For now, he hopes to replace larger buses with the smaller electric versions.
He believes these are less taxing on roads that are not designed for heavier electric buses and created more jobs by having more drivers.
“I’m sure it’s the way to go. When you compare it to running big empty buses, we have more drivers, more labour costs, but it’s a much better cost, isn’t it?”
Previously, bus passengers told the Bay of Plenty Times they would be keen to use the on-demand service if it went beyond the trial area of Tauranga South.
Ordering an on-demand bus in Tauranga can be done via an app. Photo / Alex Cairns.
Toi Ōhomai student Taylor Louw said that, previously, the bus had to get to every stop by a certain time.
“Going to Toi Ōhomai, we go through Greerton and it can take a minute or two for people to get on and off.”
She would prefer something more direct, such as an on-demand bus. “That way, it won’t matter if I’m too early or too late for the bus.”
Similar trials have already been held in Timaru and Hawke’s Bay, resulting in significant increases in patronage.
Environment Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council have since explored ways to extend their services.
Service details
- Operates within Tauranga South, including Gate Pā, Greerton, Parkvale, Pyes Pā, Tauriko and the Lakes.
- Available daily from 6am to 7pm (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day).
- Book via dedicated app, Baybus OnDemand, by calling 0800 4 BAYBUS (0800 4 229 287) or in person at a participating Book on Behalf organisation or business.
- Standard fare is $3.40, reduced to $2.72 with a Bee Card (adhering to Baybus fare structure). Baybus concessions and transfers are available.
- Payment via app with credit/debit card or your Bee Card (no cash).
How it works
1. Let Baybus know where you want to go and when. Baybus OnDemand has no fixed route or timetable. Instead, it has flexible pick-up and drop-off points, usually within 150m of your location. People, for now, can catch a connecting regular bus for free (within 30 minutes) to complete their journey, if needed.
2. Book your ride. You can book your travel as soon as possible or up to seven days in advance.
3. Get to your pick-up location. To ensure an easy journey for everyone, you must be at your pick-up point before your ride arrives.
4. Pay with the app or with your Bee Card. Tag on and tag off with your Bee Card on the reader in the vehicle at the start and end of your trip. Payment with the app will be applied automatically.
3 comments
Time
Posted on 28-07-2024 12:41 | By Yadick
It's passed time to call time.
Get rid of the great big cumbersome buses and put a fleet of these in their place. Some doing 'uber' style and some on fixed runs.
Only need the big buses for school runs and hired for some events otherwise get them off our roads and use this far more user-friendly fleet.
Hmmm
Posted on 28-07-2024 15:15 | By Let's get real
So we already have opinions from the self entitled, wanting routes to suit them alone.
At least with a fixed route, everyone knows where the bus is going.
I'm all for these smaller vehicles, but forsee ongoing disputes about where they need to go.
Hmmm
Posted on 28-07-2024 15:34 | By Let's get real
Route 51.
Starting from 6am and running until 10pm every 30 minutes, and carrying less than 800 passengers in three months.
This is the truth across the whole fleet, with more or less equivalent loading outside of school hours.
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