New destinations, more service in Waikato’s north
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
25 January
2019
New destinations, more service in Waikato’s north
Residents in Waikato’s north will have more public buses traveling to more destinations with improvements rolling in from Tuesday, 29 January.
Timetable changes are available online at www.busit.co.nz, or by calling the 24-hour bus infoline on 0800 205 305.
“These new
bus services are a vast improvement in public transport
availability for the people of north Waikato, bringing a
wide range of social benefits,” said Waikato District
Council Strategic Projects Manager Vishal
Ramduny.
“Public transport forms a critical part of our
planning for managing growth in the northern area of our
district over the next 30 years.
“We have worked
closely with Waikato Regional Council on this and we
appreciate the regional council’s support in preparing for
the challenges that population growth brings to the
district.
“Waikato District Council’s vision is to
create Liveable, Thriving and Connected Communities –
these services are a step towards realising that
vision.”
Andrew Wilson, the regional council’s public
transport manager, also acknowledged the successful
collaboration.
“We’ve worked closely with
Waikato District Council to come up with an improved service
that’s going to better meet the needs of north Waikato
communities.
“For people unable to drive, in
particular, these changes are going to make a massive
difference to their ability to access essential health and
other services,” Mr Wilson said.
The services are funded through fares, a NZ Transport Agency subsidy and Waikato District Council rates.
What’s
changing?
One bus will now
travel from Te Kauwhata to Hamilton in the
morning, leaving at 7am, and departing the Hamilton
Transport Centre at 5.35pm for the return trip on weekdays.
This service will travel via Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, The
Base, Hamilton Transport Centre and terminate at the
University of Waikato.
The Hamilton to Pukekohe service will now operate every weekday, a significant increase on the current once a fortnight bus. In addition to stops at Te Kauwhata, Meremere and Pokeno, the bus will now also stop at the Mercer service station and travel a different route though Tuakau.
The Huntly Assist and Horotiu Assist services will be combined into one bus route, and a double decker bus will operate for this service. Due to the double decker bus being unable to travel under the low bridge, this service will no longer stop in Main Street. Instead, it will start its run at 3 William Street and also stop at 13 Hakanoa Street. Passengers travelling from Huntly must be at one of these two stops to board the bus.
The Huntly internal service will now run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, three times a day.
There will also be minor timetable changes to the remaining Northern Connector weekday timetable.
ends