Council wants to up transport spend to $18.2m

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is proposing to increase its investment in Western Bay bus services from the current $13 million a year, to $18.2 million a year in 2019/20. Photo/file.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council wants to spend millions to improve the Western Bay's public transport network.

Today the council announced a proposal to up its investment in public transport from $13 million a year to $18.2 million a year in 2019/20.

The council will tender for new bus service contracts in 2018, and expected the contracts to be in effect from December 2018 for urban and rural bus services, and January 2019 for Tauranga school services.

In a statement, the council said it was still working to agree on changes to school bus networks with schools.

"School-led solutions" were in place for 10 schools but others were still being finalised.

The council's plans for the public network included more frequent buses, with most services running every 20 minutes.

New routes would be developed, including a "city loop" linking Mount Maunganui, Bayfair, the CBD and Tauranga Hospital. That would later be extended to Greerton. A new eastern "cross-town connector" route would link Greerton and Bayfair.

There would also be an off-peak "gold line" service linking Mount Maunganui, Bayfair and Papamoa.

The trial of five hybrid buses would reduce carbon emissions by 200 tonnes a year, the council said.

Regional councillor Lyall Thurston said the tender and contract process would allow for flexibility to support an evolving public transport system.

"Like many other regions around New Zealand, the Bay of Plenty is facing a number of transport challenges, including rapid population growth, congestion, increasing demand for public transport, environmental considerations - and an increasing level of investment in order to deliver public transport."

"Public transport is fundamental for society to survive, and we will continue to work with our stakeholders and the community, particularly the aged and people with disabilities, to ensure our public transport network is the best fit for our growing region and its changing needs."

Mr Thurston said much of the discussion would take place through the council's long-term planning process, which would start in February or March next year.