More people taking the bus

Wednesday 15 August 2007

Taking the bus has become less about necessity and more about choice according to the results of a survey conducted by Environment Bay of Plenty.

Results from this year’s Bus Satisfaction Survey have shown that 52% of people using the service in Tauranga have a car that they’re choosing to leave at home – up from 37% in 2006.

That’s great news according to chairman of the regional council’s Transport Committee, Councillor Andrew von Dadelszen

“It shows that our long-term commitment to passenger transport in the region is paying off. Over the past few years the numbers of people using the buses has steadily increased. It shows people are seeing them as a definite option when they’re deciding how to get around.”

Satisfaction in using the service is also high, in Rotorua 93% of people though the level of the service was very good or excellent (86% in Tauranga).

Also on the increase is the number of people using the buses in the two cities. In Tauranga an increase of over 100,000 people using the buses last year was recorded, while in Rotorua the figures increased by over 50,000.

Mr von Dadelszen says it’s an encouraging situation to be in and one that he hopes will continue to improve, especially as the regional council continues to look at ways to improve the service.

“From October the frequency of our Tauranga/Mount Maunganui bus routes will increase, so they will run every 30 minutes. We’re also turning Route 7, our Greerton route into an ‘orbiter’ type service, with a couple of small changes to its route. This means that one bus will operate in a clockwise direction and another will travel on the same route in an anti-clockwise direction on a 20 minute cycle. It’s definitely going to make it easier for people to get around.”

Bayline Group Ltd provides the Bay Hopper bus service and Reesby Buses Ltd the CityRide bus service. Both companies operate their services under contract to Environment Bay of Plenty.

For more information on bus timetables or fares go to www.baybus.co.nz or call 0800 4 BAY BUS (0800 422 927).

ENDS

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