Express bus commute for Lakes and Tauriko travellers

Mike Furniss Transport Operations Officer, Regional Councillors Stuart Crosby, Jane Nees and Go Bus Regional General Manager Ashley Burton in front of the new Route 52 Lakes Express service bus.

Starting Monday Lakes and Tauriko residents will have a more direct and shorter commute time to the CBD.

Bayhopper bus services would travel from Tauranga Crossing to Willow St on the toll road (Route K) at peak morning and afternoon times.

The commute time on the new express service was around 22 minutes, and Bayhopper buses would operate two services in the morning and two in the afternoon during weekdays.

The current service travels via Greerton to the CBD, which has a longer commute.

Newly elected regional councillor and former Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby, along with re-elected Regional councillor Jane Nees, took the opportunity to check out the new bus service before it started on Monday.

"This new service has been something residents have asked for and we have responded," Bay of Plenty Regional Council transport operations officer Mike Furniss said.

Mr Furniss said the benefits of this service for passengers included saving on transport costs and reducing the hassle of driving and finding a park in the CBD.

"Why would you want to drive when the commute by bus gets you there around the same time.

"You also don't have the hassle and costs of paying for tolls or parking," he said.

The Lakes Express and Tauranga Crossing's morning services would arrive at Willow Street at 7.22am and 8.32am; and the afternoon services would depart the CBD for The Lakes at 5.07pm and 6.12pm.

"The service between The Lakes and Greerton will also continue but will have timetable and bus stop changes," Go Bus' Bay of Plenty Regional general manager Ashley Burton said.

To find out more about the Route 52 The Lakes Express and Tauranga Crossing service, including travel times and bus stop locations please call 0800 4 BAYBUS(0800 4 229 287) or visit www.baybus.co.nz