Taranaki Regional Council media release
4 July 2008
For immediate release

Thanks All Round As City Link Gets Off To Good Start

Bus passengers and drivers alike have been praised for this week’s largely smooth transition to a new bus operator in New Plymouth.

“The new operators, Tranzit Coachlines, and their staff worked hard to make it a seamless and hassle-free changeover to the City Link service, and passengers took the change in their stride,” says the Taranaki Regional Council’s Director-Operations, Rob Phillips.

“There’ve only been a couple of glitches, involving school buses, and we’d like to thank the passengers and parents involved for their patience and understanding.

“Otherwise the City Link changeover went really smoothly and we’re getting good feedback on the smart buses now plying the streets of New Plymouth, Bell Block, Oakura and Waitara.

“There’ve been hundreds of hits on the new bus website, www.taranakibus.info, and there’s also a new toll-free inquiries number, 0800 872 287.”

Under a new contract with the Council and using new City Link branding, Tranzit took over urban bus runs on 1 July after a two-year trial of expanded services. The trial was operated by Okato Bus Lines, which has now been bought by the new operator.

Tranzit’s contract with the Council runs for three years, with a two-year rollover possible.

Mr Phillips says new early-morning and late-afternoon commuter services will be introduced in the spring, and convenient new fare-paying technology is also being investigated.

“We’re entering a new era in public transport and with fuel prices the way they are, we’re expecting that interest and patronage can only grow.”

For information about City Link routes, fares and timetables, see www.taranakibus.info.

ENDS

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