Media Release

Makeover for Bay Hopper buses
For immediate release: Wednesday 17 June 2009

Environment Bay of Plenty is set to launch their new-look Bay Hopper buses when the contract officially changes hands on 29 June.

A deal was struck between Environment Bay of Plenty and Bayline Group Ltd to keep the name ‘Bay Hopper’ for the new Tauranga urban bus service.

Environment Bay of Plenty Transport Committee Chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said he was excited to launch the new fleet of buses with a fresh look.

“With a brand new fleet we thought it was a good opportunity for a spruce up while still keeping a familiar sight on our roads.”

The new-look buses will keep their yellow colour and have a new orange and blue logo – Bay Hopper Tauranga.

The new fleet will include 25 brand new super-low floor buses and 10 nearly new super-low floor buses.

Passengers will be able to take advantage of new direct routes that include Mount to Greerton via City, Mount to Greerton via Bayfair and City, and Papamoa to City every 15 minutes.

Along with new buses and new direct routes, a simple fare structure has been introduced. Passengers will pay only $2.50 for a City Ticket (just $2.00 with Smartride card) which covers all routes except journeys between Papamoa East and the City centre, which will cost $3.00 (just $2.40 with Smartride card).

A free 60 minute transfer has also been introduced enabling free travel between routes within an hour of purchasing a ticket.

New route numbers have also been introduced under the new contract. Existing passengers will be able to take note of the number for their current route in the new timetables that will available.

The new-look yellow Bay Hopper buses will be on the streets of Tauranga when the new urban bus contract begins operating from 29 June 2009.

ENDS

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