InterCity won't move to The Hub

Whangarei's new bus terminal Te Manawa - The Hub has lost one of its wheels.

The Whangarei District Council has confirmed that Northliner and InterCity buses will not be using the new bus terminal, opting instead to stay at their current location on Bank St.

The bus operator, SDK Ltd, said it chose not to move to the new terminal because of unfavourable commercial factors. SDK was involved in discussions about the facility from the earliest stages, council spokeswoman Ann Midson said. "Initially the outlook for Northliner/InterCity to re-locate its stop to Te Manawa - The Hub, was very positive. Over time discussions have stalled around a number of commercial factors, and it appears that for now InterCity is happy to remain where it is."

In the meantime, Northliner's competitor Nakedbus.com had relocated to The Hub and increased its services, Ms Midson said.

"It is our vision that over time the area will become the main centre for buses travelling through Whangarei and we remain very open to an approach from InterCity when the time is right for them."

SDK manager Sharon Klinac said the decision to move to The Hub was hers and had nothing to do with InterCity.

"The council approached SDK Ltd who trades as Northliner Express and who also holds the franchise for InterCity in the North along with running Northland Coach and Travel at 3C Bank St Whangarei, to see if I would be interested in moving my businesses to the proposed Hub facility," she said.

"As stated by council, discussions have stalled around a number of commercial factors that do not favour a privately-owned business nor meet the requirements of the travelling public, so to this end I have chosen to remain at 3C Bank St Whangarei."

Ms Klinac said Northliner and InterCity buses stopped in Whangarei eight times a day, seven days a week.

Nakedbus.com buses stopped in Whangarei four times a day, seven days a week, spokeswoman Candice Baker said.

Ms Baker said Nakedbus.com had not increased its services but had changed some of the times to better suit Auckland commuters.