Taranaki Regional Council media release
24 February 2009
For immediate release

Bus Question To Be Put To Ratepayers

Extra New Plymouth bus routes and a streamlined school bus service are on the Taranaki Regional Council’s agenda for the new financial year – but it wants to know if ratepayers think the improvements would be worth a few more dollars on their rates bills.

The Council today (24 February) decided that proposed enhancements to the New Plymouth bus service should go out for public consultation as part of the coming Long-Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) round.

The Council is already budgeting for a small rates rise of less than $10 for the average residential ratepayer in the 2009/2010 year; the bus proposal would add another $2 to $4 for New Plymouth ratepayers.

"The improvements would include additional capacity, electronic ‘smartcard’ ticketing across the entire network, new orbital services giving students direct access to most schools in New Plymouth, and an increase in peak-time routes," says the Council’s Chief Executive, Basil Chamberlain.

"The Council has been listening to concerns from New Plymouth residents that bus services need to be improved further. We’re hoping to get an indication from the community as to whether a small addition to their rates bill is acceptable to pay for these better services.

"The enhancements would take total Council spending on the New Plymouth services to around $0.5 million for the year."

The proposal will be included the draft LTCCP going out for public consultation on 16 March. The deadline for submissions is 17 April.

ENDS

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