Changes made to Ashhurst bus timetable from feedback

ON THE MOVE: The last bus departs Palmerston North for Ashhurst at 2.50pm each weekday afternoon. PHOTO: KARLA KARAITIANA

Feedback from the Ashhurst community has prompted changes to their bus service.

From April 3 the least used, early morning services will be replaced with more in demand times at the end of the day.

Both the 7.05am and 7.40am return services will no longer run in favour of two additional afternoon services, Palmerston to Ashhurst at 2.50pm and Ashhurst to Palmerston North at 3.10pm.

The changes were made after a significant amount of feedback was given to Horizons Regional Council from members of the Ashhurst community.

"I would like to thank the Ashhurst community for their ongoing support of the service and for continuing to work with us to ensure we're meeting the community's needs," Horizons councillor Rachel Keedwell said.

Dr Keedwell says the changes made will be of huge benefit to children who would be able to catch the bus into town for extra-curricular activities, as well as providing an alternative Palmerston North to Ashhurst service for SuperGold cardholders to travel free between 9am and 3pm.

"Following strong feedback from the Ashhurst community, and a review of the service which showed the least used timings, we were confidently able to introduce the changes to the timetable."

Horizons' transport planner Ashleigh Gulliver says prior to the new trial service commencing on July 4 last year, the service operated only twice a week on a Tuesday and Thursday, consisting of one return trip at off-peak times.

"Public feedback indicated this service was not meeting the needs of the community. Taking on-board public feedback, improvements to Ashhurst bus services were recommended including weekday commuter services, frequent off-peak services, and a Saturday service which were included in the trial service timetable.

"Last month we reported to our Horizons Passenger Transport Committee, advising how the service was performing over the first six months of operation from July to December 2016."

The amended timetable was finalised after discussing the changes with the bus operator, as a cost-neutral modification.

The new bus schedule is available from the Ashhurst Four Square, school, library and other local businesses, as well as the Palmerston North iSite and on Horizons' website www.horizons.govt.nz