Resident floats water taxi idea from Omokoroa to Tauranga

An Omokoroa resident is hoping the regional council will back his idea for a water taxi from Omokoroa to Tauranga's CBD to reduce traffic congestion on the road.

Glen Proctor said his idea to operate a water taxi on weekdays could be a solution for commuters from Omokoroa to Tauranga and would help reduce traffic on the roads.

"The roads are shocking," Mr Proctor said. "It can take 45 minutes to an hour to get from Omokoroa to CBD if the traffic is bad."

Mr Proctor, 69, said the idea could be viable if it received backing from Bay of Plenty Regional Council and believed it was worthy of a two or three-month trial.

He had recently met with the regional council about the idea and was waiting to hear back.

Mr Proctor said it took half an hour to get to the CBD from Omokoroa on his 11.5m catamaran, which he would use for the service.

"It will reduce the price of parking and there would be fewer cars on the roads."

Residents could catch the water taxi from Omokoroa Boat Club and be transported by boat directly to The Strand.

"They have spent a lot of money down there and no one is using it," Mr Proctor said.

"It is a gorgeous trip coming into the city."

Mr Proctor would charge about $15 return for the water taxi on his boat which seated about 40 people.

"That is if we can get some backing, otherwise it might be a bit more expensive.

Mr Proctor had received positive feedback since he put up a sign outside an Omokoroa fruit and vege shop.

"People said what a great idea it was and wanted to know the price," he said.

"They have had enough of the roads and they said it would be a nice idea to ferry into town."

He had recently floated the idea with Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

"I think from a tourism point of view, a water taxi would be ideal," Mr Proctor said.

Mr Proctor is no stranger to the ferry trade. He currently runs a ferry service from the bridge marina in the Mount to Mayor Island for people who have booked to tramp or stay on the island.

He also operates a ferry service from Omokoroa to Matakana Island which transports vehicles and machinery back and forth. "That has been going for about 17 years."

Bay of Plenty Regional Council transport policy manager Garry Maloney confirmed Mr Proctor had met with regional and Tauranga City councils.

"In order to determine whether or not a Tauranga Harbour ferry service was worth investing in, a value for money assessment would need to be made," he said.

Mr Maloney said regional council had not budgeted to invest in a Tauranga Harbour ferry service in the 2017/18 financial year.

Omokoroa Community Board chairperson Murray Grainger said the idea was being well-received by Omokoroa residents.

"A big factor was what the price was going to be."

He said when the new Omokoroa Walkway was complete, residents would have the option of getting to and from Omokoroa by boat and bike.

"Travelling from Omokoroa to Tauranga on a bike and going back on a ferry would make a wonderful trip."

Mr Grainger said public transport was dependant on population density. "Our population is a little veering towards the retirees as opposed to the working people."

There were two "shopper" buses operating from Omokoroa to Tauranga CBD on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for residents who wanted to go into town to shop.

"But they only have two hours before they have to get back on the bus again," he said.

"So having a more regular service at a better time would be an advantage."

Mr Grainger hoped Mr Proctor received enough interest to make the water taxi viable.

"I think it would be a great asset for the peninsula."