Four new buses will be added to the public transport goBay network from today and this will double service frequency between Napier and Hastings.
"Doubling the frequency of the service between the two cities will make public transport a more attractive, practical and economical option," Hawke's Bay Regional Council transportmanager Carol Gilbertson said.
"With an earlier start time and later finish time, the extra services will help even more Napier and Hastings people get between the cities for work and EIT.
"More frequent services will also provide people with much easier access for shopping, social outings and hospital visits."
Bus use has been increasing as a result of improvements made to services, routes and frequency of buses and high fuel prices have had some effect. From January to July bus patronage increased 15 per cent, with 340,267 trips.
Route 12 services will operate every 15 minutes in peak times, between 7am-8.30am and 2 pm-5.30pm and every 30 minutes in the off-peak times of 8.30am-2pm, and 5.30-6.30pm. The first bus will depart Napier and Hastings at 6.30am Monday to Friday, with the last service departing at 6.30pm.
Route 12 has been running every half hour in peak times and hourly in off-peak times.
A new bus timetable is available from next week from bus drivers, public libraries, at www.hbrc.govt.nz or by calling HBRC on 833 8032.
