JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
25 January 2019

New destinations, more service in Waikato’s north

Residents in Waikato’s north will have more public buses traveling to more destinations with improvements rolling in from Tuesday, 29 January.

Timetable changes are available online at www.busit.co.nz, or by calling the 24-hour bus infoline on 0800 205 305.

“These new bus services are a vast improvement in public transport availability for the people of north Waikato, bringing a wide range of social benefits,” said Waikato District Council Strategic Projects Manager Vishal Ramduny.
“Public transport forms a critical part of our planning for managing growth in the northern area of our district over the next 30 years.
“We have worked closely with Waikato Regional Council on this and we appreciate the regional council’s support in preparing for the challenges that population growth brings to the district.
“Waikato District Council’s vision is to create Liveable, Thriving and Connected Communities – these services are a step towards realising that vision.”
Andrew Wilson, the regional council’s public transport manager, also acknowledged the successful collaboration.

“We’ve worked closely with Waikato District Council to come up with an improved service that’s going to better meet the needs of north Waikato communities.
“For people unable to drive, in particular, these changes are going to make a massive difference to their ability to access essential health and other services,” Mr Wilson said.

The services are funded through fares, a NZ Transport Agency subsidy and Waikato District Council rates.

What’s changing?

One bus will now travel from Te Kauwhata to Hamilton in the morning, leaving at 7am, and departing the Hamilton Transport Centre at 5.35pm for the return trip on weekdays. This service will travel via Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, The Base, Hamilton Transport Centre and terminate at the University of Waikato.

The Hamilton to Pukekohe service will now operate every weekday, a significant increase on the current once a fortnight bus. In addition to stops at Te Kauwhata, Meremere and Pokeno, the bus will now also stop at the Mercer service station and travel a different route though Tuakau.

The Huntly Assist and Horotiu Assist services will be combined into one bus route, and a double decker bus will operate for this service. Due to the double decker bus being unable to travel under the low bridge, this service will no longer stop in Main Street. Instead, it will start its run at 3 William Street and also stop at 13 Hakanoa Street. Passengers travelling from Huntly must be at one of these two stops to board the bus.

The Huntly internal service will now run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, three times a day.

There will also be minor timetable changes to the remaining Northern Connector weekday timetable.

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