CityRide bus changes set for July

FILE

Improvements to Rotorua's CityRide bus network are a step closer to being implemented with the awarding of the contract to operate the network for $2.5 million.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has signed a new contract with existing operator Reesbys Coachlines.

Lyall Thurston, chairman of the Public Transport Subcommittee and Bay of Plenty regional councillor said he was thrilled with how the tender process had gone and with the level of interest in it.

"It's enabled us to start planning changes to the network for July which will benefit both the passengers and the central city," he said.

"Of added benefit has been the competitive nature of the tender, resulting in significant savings which we are pleased will result in a reduction to what is currently out for consultation in the draft Long Term Plan."

As part of the retender process, several enhancements to the Rotorua network have been approved by the regional council.

These include having all buses travel on a new loop around the central city and bringing more downtown locations closer to a bus stop to support the revitalisation of the city's central business district. The new loop will take passengers along Fenton, Arawa, Amohia, Rotorua Central Mall and Victoria St.

Buses will also have bike racks, and the network will operate on public holidays - the first one being Labour Day.

Buses will continue to be fully accessible to people with limited mobility.

Mr Thurston, a former National President of CCS Disability-Action, said he was delighted at benefits the fully accessible fleet provided to both residents and visitors to the city.

"I have pushed for accessible public transport both here in Rotorua and nationwide for years, and hope that it gives those people with a lived experience of disability and those with limited mobility much greater access to their community."

Rotorua Lakes Council is to establish a new inner city interchange at Arawa St, in the section of road adjacent to the i-SITE and library, with the existing Pukuatua St interchange being removed.

The changes will come into effect in mid-2015 when the new contract for operating the buses will begin.

More information about the CityRide network is available at www.baybus.co.nz.

Key changes to come into effect mid-2015

The existing Pukuatua St interchange will be removed and all buses will travel along a larger Fenton, Arawa, Amohia, Rotorua Central Mall, Victoria Street circuit. Rotorua Lakes Council will establish a new central city interchange at Arawa St, in the section of road adjacent to the i-SITE and library.

Route 1 (Ngongotaha): to operate via Rotorua Hospital instead of Ranolf St
Route 2 (Polytech): To be split into two separate half hourly services, one operating to the Polytechnic via Fenton St and one operating via Ranolf St
Route 6 (Koutu): to include an additional one-way loop serving Kawaha Point
Route 9 (Springfield): to operate as a large one-way loop by omitting the current end of route loop via Jackson St and Nikau St and continuing along Otonga Rd and Old Taupo Rd to rejoin the existing route north of Hillcrest Ave
Route 10 (Airport): to operate along Vaughn Rd instead of Te Ngae Rd on the trip out to the Airport

Bikeracks will be installed on all buses to better integrate public transport with other modes of travel, and to provide cyclists with more opportunities to ride and use the bus.