SunLive – Bus users speak out over council’s bus fare review

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) has launched a comprehensive fare review to ensure public transport remains affordable, sustainable and easy to use.

The council said the review would simplify the tariff structure and balance affordability with rising service costs.

“With the region’s rapid growth, the demand for reliable public transport continues to grow. Meeting this demand requires sustainable financing, which is primarily achieved through government subsidies, travel revenues, fares and advertising.

“However, new national expectations require all regions to recover a greater share of costs through tariffs and third-party revenues to maintain financial stability in the long term.”

Public Transport Committee Chair and BOPRC Council Member Andrew von Dadelsen said through this review the regional council aims to develop a simpler and more sustainable fare system that balances these financial goals with the needs of the community.

“Our goal is to create a simple, fair rate structure that will serve our growing region.

“By simplifying fares and providing options for frequent passengers, this review will improve public transport for everyone.”

Key directions

The review’s three key areas include: rewarding frequent commuters by introducing options that make public transport an attractive and cost-effective choice for frequent users; improving affordability by creating a clear, easy-to-use, and uniform rate structure across the region; and working toward financial sustainability by ensuring that rate structures support the costs of maintaining and expanding a reliable network.

Due to the fact that the regional council is asking the public for feedback on the revision of bus fares by December 2, Closed Sun visit city bus stops to see what riders think of BOP buses and fares.

Tauranga bus users Hayes Wynne-Tohill and Rachel Williams. Photo: David Hall.

Tauranga residents Rachel Williams and Hayes Wynne-Tohill, who were at Durham Street bus stops, take the bus as neither of them have a car.

“I have a motorcycle and I can’t take her on it,” Wynn-Tohill said. The couple lives in the countryside and only gets to the city by bus. They said they would be inclined to take the bus more often if access to rural areas was better.

Unreliable

Tauranga bus user Neve Wilson. Photo: David Hall.

Neve Wilson, who was also waiting for her bus to arrive on Durham Street, takes the bus every one to two weeks because she doesn’t yet have a restricted driver’s license.

When asked why she doesn’t use buses more often, she replied: “They’re pretty unreliable.”

Out of seven people Sun When asked about city buses, many said they found them unreliable.

School friends Jesty and Freya traveled by bus every day. They no longer take the bus as often because of the cost, but only occasionally go to school or sports practice. They said they would be more motivated to take the bus every day if the fare were cheaper.

Tauranga resident Craig Goodwin, sitting in a wheelchair at a bus stop, said the city’s public transport was quite unreliable. “You don’t plan your day around buses, that’s for sure.”

Tauranga bus user Craig Goodwin. Photo: David Hall.

Availability

Goodwin believed that improved accessibility would make him more motivated to take the bus. “Sometimes the (wheelchair) ramps get stuck so it takes a while for the driver to get them up, so if they improved the ramps it would be easier.”

Goodwin said electric buses have updated ramps where there is a cord to pull. “I think they should all be like this.”

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was frustrated by the lack of access.

They use the bus because they can’t afford a car. A bus user told Sun they had problems with their therapy dog ​​not being allowed on the bus.

They also stated that the buses were unreliable to the extent that they were often left stranded, unable to get home.

They used to call taxis, but said they were incredibly expensive and “often they don’t show up or are very late, and then I’m late to where I’m going.”

Bus stops on Durham Street. Photo: David Hall.

Motu Mowe

BOPRC director of public transport Oliver Haycock said the rollout of the new fares structure in the Bay of Plenty will coincide with the introduction of Motu Move, a national ticketing solution that will be rolled out across the country late next year.

Haycock said Motu Move will provide customers with new flexible payment options across the country, including the use of debit and credit cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as Motu Move prepaid cards and tickets, making it easier to use public services. transport.

“Partnering with Motu Move gives us the opportunity to build a system that is not only simple, but also future-proof. We are committed to making public transport more convenient and convenient for users in the BOP.”

Give me feedback!

Haycock encouraged residents to get involved and have their say as part of the BPOPRC rate review.

“Community input is critical to the success of this review. Whether you are a regular commuter or an occasional traveler, your ideas will help shape a fare system that effectively serves our community. Have your say online now or connect with us at upcoming community events.”

To leave your review: participate.boprc.govt.nz/fares-review

BOPRC staff will also be available at the Historic Village in Tauranga from 9am to 1pm next Friday 30 November to discuss the review and gather public feedback. The deadline for feedback is December 2. The tariff review is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with any changes introduced with Motu Move later in 2025.