27 June, 2012

Rangitikei residents riding high on Council decision

Rangitikei residents will soon be able to catch the bus to Palmerston North and Wanganui following a decision by Horizons Regional Council to include the fortnightly service in its final Long-term Plan.

The bus service, which operated commercially until 2010, will travel to Palmerston North once a month and Wanganui once a month. Buses will return the same day with stops in Taihape, Mangaweka, Ohingaiti, Hunterville, Marton, Bulls and Sanson (Palmerston North service only) along the way.

It’s a decision that’s been welcomed by Rangitikei Transport Issues Steering Group member Michelle Bisset who says the fortnightly service will provide a much-needed link for the Rangitikei community.

“In a word, it’s fabulous,” Ms Bisset says. “It’s just essential that transport options are provided for people in the Rangitikei district.”

“Getting from A to B is the sort of thing that can be taken for granted in the city but out here it’s something we’re really excited about. It’s been a long time coming and it’s all good news.”

The service also received strong support from Taihape’s Older and Bolder organisation with 10 group members making the trip to Palmerston North for a submission hearing in May.

“It’s just so exciting for older people as so many of them don’t drive and with families working or living in other areas it can be difficult for them to get out of town,” says Older and Bolder coordinator Betty Tierney.

“People in our group are independent; they don’t like asking for things. This gives them the freedom to catch up with friends and relations but it also provides access to basic things like knitting wool, shoes and a good winter coat that you just can’t get here.”

Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon says the level of support from Rangitikei residents for the service was overwhelming.

“We received 36 submissions to the Long-term Plan on the Rangitikei service with 34 supporting its reinstatement,” he says.

“The message was clear that an affordable transport option to and from Palmerston North and Wanganui is something Rangitikei residents want. Our transport team is now seeking interest from operators and we’ll look forward to having a trial service up and running by Christmas.”

The continuation of this trial service is dependent on its use and while almost 75 percent of respondents to a recent Marton survey said they would use the service, Ms Bisset says now is the time for people to turn their support into action.

“The service is on its way, now let’s get out there and use it,” she says.

ENDS

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