New features planned for Rotorua’s CityRide network

11 December 2014

Rotorua’s CityRide buses will travel on a new inner city route next year, creating a loop around the central city and bringing more downtown locations closer to a bus stop.

The new loop will take passengers along a Fenton, Arawa, Amohia, Rotorua Central Mall and Victoria Street circuit from July 2015.

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

The change to where buses travel in the inner city was approved atTuesday’s Bay of Plenty Regional Council Passenger Transport Subcommittee meeting as the first steps in a re-tender process for the Rotorua CityRide contract. Other changes to some routes were also approved.

Lyall Thurston, Chair of the Passenger Transport Subcommittee and Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor said the changes were developed from extensive discussions held with Rotorua Lakes Council about how the Regional Council could support Rotorua’s Inner City Revitalisation Strategy, and from information gathered in a recent review of the Rotorua network.

“The changes mean more of the central city will be covered by the bus network, and it puts both regional buses and local buses within easy walking distance of each other for those using a combination of services,” Cr Thurston said.

Passengers will also see bike racks appearing on buses and will be able to take the bus on public holidays. Buses will continue to be fully accessible to people with limited mobility.

“The inclusion of bike racks on buses means people will be able to mix their modes of travel, perhaps taking the bus into work in the morning and cycling home later,” he said. “As well as the associated health benefits from cycling, we hope it will reduce the transport footprint in the city.”

District councillor and Rotorua Lakes Council representative on the Public Transport Subcommittee, Glenys Searancke, expressed her appreciation to the Regional Council for their work and cooperation in making the changes.

“I want to thank the regional council for the manner in which the consultation process has been undertaken,” she said. “The new routes that have been agreed upon, in particular having the buses coming into Rotorua Central, will be a huge benefit for the Rotorua community and visitors to Rotorua.

Peter Faulkner, representing Pukeroa Oruawhata, owners of Rotorua Central Mall, said they were pleased to be able to participate in the revision of the schedules.

“The changes will certainly contribute towards the inner city revitalisation,” he said.

The changes will come into effect in mid-2015 when the new contract for operating the buses is expected to begin. The regional council’s re-tender process for operating the service will begin on 16 December.

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

Key changes to come into effect mid- 2015
The existing Pukuatua Street bus stop 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 terminal at Arawa Street, in the section of road adjacent to the i-SITE and library.

Route 1 (Ngongotahā): to operate via Rotorua Hospital instead of Ranolf Street

Route 2 (Polytech): To be split into two separate half hourly services, one operating to the Polytechnic via Fenton Street and one operating via Ranolf Street

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 Street and Nikau Street and continuing along Otonga Road and Old Taupō Road to rejoin the existing route north of Hillcrest Avenue

Route 10 (Airport): to operate along Vaughn Road instead of Te Ngae Road 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.

Who is responsible for public transport?
Public transport services (routes and fares) are managed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Bus companies are responsible for operating bus services under contract to the regional council.

Public transport infrastructure (bus stops and shelters) is managed by Rotorua Lakes Council (local roads) or the NZ Transport Agency (state highways).

ENDS

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