Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton is urging people to complete a new survey investigating options for restoring an affordable, same-day return public bus service between Taumarunui and Hamilton.
The former BUSIT Route 25 service operated as a combined health shuttle and public transport service until June this year. It enabled patients to travel to Hamilton for hospital and specialist appointments, while spare seats were available to carers, support people and members of the public travelling for other reasons.
Following a review, Health New Zealand moved to a dedicated health shuttle model and advised that it was unable to include public transport as part of its new bus service offering.
Mayor Kirton said Route 25 had grown into an important inter-regional transport link for Taumarunui and communities along the route, including Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga and Kihikihi.
“The service provided something that is not currently available - an affordable way for people to travel to Hamilton, spend several hours there and return home on the same day,” he said.
“When the combined service ended, Taumarunui lost an important public transport connection used for shopping, appointments, visiting whānau, education and many other purposes.”
Mayor Kirton said he had continued working with Horizons and Waikato regional councils to explore whether a new inter-regional service could be established.
“To move these discussions forward, we need clear evidence of community demand and a better understanding of the type of service people would use,” he said.
“The survey asks whether people would use a new service, how often they might travel, their preferred days and times, where the bus should stop and what they consider a reasonable fare.
It also seeks feedback on possible funding arrangements and whether people would use a service connecting with existing public transport at Te Awamutu rather than travelling directly to Hamilton.”
Mayor Kirton said responses were needed from former Route 25 passengers as well as people who had not previously used the service but may use or benefit from a new one.
“Restoring this connection will require a strong case supported by clear evidence,” he said.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in this service to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us understand what is needed and strengthen the case for restoring this important public transport connection.”
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The survey can be found via the link below or if you prefer a hardcopy pick one up from Council’s Huia Street office or the Taumarunui isite.
