New Bus Services Coming Round The Mountain

Taranaki Regional Council media release
19 June 2007
For immediate release

New Bus Services Coming Round The Mountain

Public transport west and south of Mount Taranaki will be boosted next month with the launch of three new bus services.

The once-a-week return South Link services will connect Opunake with Hawera and New Plymouth, and Waverley and Patea with Hawera. The trial services are funded by the Taranaki Regional Council and supported by the South Taranaki District Council.

Intermediate stops on the Opunake-based routes will include Kaponga, Eltham and Normanby on the way to and from Hawera, and Rahotu, Pungarehu, Okato and Oakura on the way to and from New Plymouth. The Waverley-Patea service will call at Mokoia, Manutahi and Kakaramea on the way to and from Hawera.

One-way fares will range from $3 to $6, with a $1 discount for school-age children and free travel for under-5s.

The South Link trial will run for 18 months, though the Taranaki Regional Council has made it clear passenger numbers will be watched carefully and if patronage is poor the service will be reviewed.

"Community support is therefore essential for the success of this trial. Use it or lose it," says Council Director - Operations Rob Phillips. He says southern Taranaki communities have expressed a need for such services and the trial reflects the Council's commitment to providing public passenger transport in South Taranaki.

The Opunake routes will be operated by Pickering Motors Ltd and the Waverley run by Weir Bros, both under contract to the Taranaki Regional Council.

Bookings are preferred to ensure a seat but the buses can be hailed, even away from designated stops.

Timetables will be available at the South Taranaki i-SITE Visitor Centre, South Taranaki District Library Plus centres and Oakura Library, the South Taranaki and New Plymouth District Council headquarters, the Taranaki Regional Council, the New Plymouth Bus Station, Puke Ariki and from bus drivers on the three routes. They will also shortly be available at www.trc.govt.nz.

Details of the new South Link services:

Waverley to Hawera return

Waverley-Hawera (Thursdays from July 5):
Departs Taranaki Farmers Waverley 9.15am, South Taranaki Museum Patea 9.35am, opposite Harpo's Inn Kakaramea 9.45am,
Manutahi Hotel 9.55am, Mokoia Pet Supply 10am, arrives Hawera Information Centre 10.15am.
Fares: $6 from Waverley, $5 from Patea or Kakaramea, $3 from Manutahi or Mokoia.
Bookings: (06) 278 5858 (Weir Bros) or 0800 111 323 (South Taranaki District Council - please ask for bus services).

Hawera-Waverley (Thursdays from July 5):
Departs Hawera Information Centre 1.30pm, Mokoia School 1.45pm, Manutahi Antiques 1.50pm, Harpo's Inn Kakaramea 2pm, Patea Library 2.10pm, arrives The Hair Shed Waverley 2.30pm.
Fares: $3 to Manutahi or Mokoia, $5 to Kakaramea or Patea, $6 to Waverley.
Bookings as above.

Opunake to Hawera return

Opunake-Hawera (Thursdays from July 5):
Departs Taranaki Farmers Opunake 9.15am, opposite 4 Square Kaponga 9.40am, King Edward bus stop Eltham 9.55am, SH3 toilets Normanby 10.15am, arrives Hawera Information Centre 10.25am.
Fares: $6 from Opunake, $5 from Kaponga, $4 from Eltham, $3 from Normanby.
Bookings: 0800 221 120 (Pickering Motors) or 0800 111 323 (South Taranaki District Council - please ask for bus services).

Hawera-Opunake (Thursdays from July 5):
Departs Hawera Information Centre 1.30pm, Normanby Dairy 1.40pm, King Edward bus stop Eltham 2pm, Kaponga 4 Square 2.20pm, arrives Taranaki Farmers Opunake 2.45pm.
Fares: $3 to Normanby, $4 to Eltham, $5 to Kaponga, $6 to Opunake.
Bookings as above.

Opunake to New Plymouth return

Opunake-New Plymouth (Fridays from July 6):
Departs Taranaki Farmers Opunake 9.15am, Rahotu Plunket 9.30am, opposite Pungarehu Town Hall 9.40am, opposite old Okato Fire Station 9.50am, Messenger Terrace Oakura 10am, arrives Ariki St bus station New Plymouth 10.15am.
Fares: $6 from Opunake, $5 from Rahotu or Pungarehu, $4 from Okato, $3 from Oakura.
Bookings: 0800 221 120 (Pickering Motors).

New Plymouth-Opunake (Fridays from July 6):
Departs Ariki St bus station New Plymouth 1.30pm, Messenger Terrace Oakura 1.45pm, old Okato fire station 1.55pm, Pungarehu Town Hall 2.05pm, Rahotu 4 Square 2.15pm, arrives Taranaki Farmers Opunake 2.30pm.
Fares: $3 to Oakura, $4 to Okato, $5 to Pungarehu or Rahotu, $6 to Opunake.
Bookings as above.

ENDS

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