Whangarei's CityLink public bus service will drop some little-used routes from March to save money.
The Northland Regional Council, which operates the service in conjunction with ratepayers and the New Zealand Transport Agency, says removing trips carrying three or fewer passengers at a time, mainly in the early morning and evening, will save about $300,000 annually.
NRC reviewed the number of passengers travelling on the 10 buses that began operating 18 months ago. Most of the trips to be cancelled are before 7am or after 6pm, Saturday services after about 2pm, on public holidays and the downtown route.
NRC land transport committee chairman John Bain said the current timetable had largely been based on previous surveys and public feedback when the public requested the downtown service - which runs between the central business district and Okara Park - and extra early-morning and evening trips to accommodate workers.
But while the NRC was keen to ensure timetables matched people's expectations as much as possible, some of the services introduced as a result of public requests had been very poorly patronised.
"We had a marked increase in passenger numbers in 2008 when oil prices rocketed but that then fell off again as prices reduced," Mr Bain said.
Meanwhile, he said from March 1 several peak-hour trips would also run anywhere from five to 15 minutes earlier than they did now to try to minimise delays caused by peak-hour traffic. Buses on those routes currently often struggled to keep to the posted timetables during peak hours due to the sheer volume of traffic on the roads.
By leaving a few minutes earlier, he said, the problem would be eased.
New timetables were being compiled and revised times would be advertised soon.
Details would also be available online from early next week on www.nrc.govt.nz/bus
The trips to be removed are:
CBD shuttle: Removal of all trips Monday to Saturday inclusive.
Onerahi: 6.45pm trip from Monday to Friday and 2.15pm, 3.15pm, 4.15pm, and 5.15pm trips on Saturday.
Tikipunga via Kamo: 6am, 5.45pm, 6.15pm and 6.45pm trips Monday to Friday and 2.15pm, 4.15pm and 6.15pm trips on Saturdays.
Kamo via Tikipunga: 6.35am trip Monday to Friday and 3.15pm and 5.15pm trips on Saturday.
Otangarei: 6am, 6.30am, 6.15pm and 6.45pm trips Monday to Friday and 2.40pm, 3.40pm and 4.40pm trips on Saturday.
Raumanga/Morningside: 6am, 6.30am, 6.15pm and 6.45pm trips Monday to Friday and 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm trips on Saturday.
Maunu: 6am, 7am, 5.45pm and 6.45pm trips Monday to Friday but a new 5.15pm trip will be added. Removal of 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm trips on Saturday.
All services on public holidays to be removed.
Cutting back bus services will bring $300,000 saving
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