Mamaku residents call for bus service to village

Calls are being made for a trial bus service connecting Rotorua to Mamaku.

Mamaku Residents' Association chairwoman Wendy Roe said talk of a bus service always came up at meetings and it was time to at least trial it.

"There's a growing community up here."

In a submission to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council on its 2018-2028 Long Term Plan, the Rotorua Rural Community Board suggested a trial bus service for the village.

"Public transport is seen as essential for many of the district's population, yet a village of over 700 people does not have a public transport service," the submission said.

"Mamaku is experiencing a resurgence of growth in the community which now demands consideration for public transport options."

The board suggested a trial service which connected with services to Ngongotaha and into town.

"As the expectation is for all residents to be paying a targeted rate for a public bus service then it is expected a service could be provided."

Community board chairwoman Shirley Trumper said a hearing on the issue would be held on April 20.

Trumper said bus services to Mamaku had been discussed by the Mamaku Residents' Association on multiple occasions.

"It will provide for a rural community that was isolated by its distance from town.

"It's come from the community wanting a service. Mamaku has experienced a resurgence and growth."

Trumper said representatives from the residents association would attend the hearing.

"To make sure we really get the message across this is coming from the community."

Roe said Mamaku had a morning and afternoon bus service in the 1980s and its reintroduction would help with independence for some residents.

"You see people getting older and having to shift into town because there's no transport."

Roe said the condition of the roads wasn't a concern because Dansey Rd had been upgraded to a national standard.

It was 10km from the main highway to Mamaku and buses travelled on the road to access tourist destinations and to the school.

"Public transport is one of quite a few things this community has not had any support for for a long time," Roe said.

"We've paid rates to the regional council for many years."

Consultation on the Long Term Plan ran from February 19 until March 19 and hearings will be held from April 16 to 20. Deliberations are scheduled for May 22 to 24 and the final plan must be adopted by June 30.

The council's general manager of corporate performance, Mat Taylor, said the council had a large response during the consultation period.

"Overall, we had some pretty clear messages of support for the work that the regional council does, and the submissions will give us some very useful feedback about our work and what is and isn't a priority for our communities."