Local bus services boosted



June 18 2010

Bus users travelling between Cambridge  and Hamilton will have more choice and a greater number of services to choose from before the end of the year.

And they look set to be riding to and from Hamilton on brand new state-of-the-art buses being built specifically to service the new Waipa timetable. 

Before Christmas, passengers heading to Hamilton and back will have a choice of six return trips each week day and three return trips on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (except Christmas day).   Services between Te Awamutu, Kihikihi and Hamilton will also be increased.

The fully air-conditioned buses will boast low floors to make boarding and disembarking easier and will conform to the latest fuel emission standards.  They will also be easy to use for passengers in wheelchairs, with prams or carrying  extra luggage.

The improved service is a result of feedback received by Waipa District Council during its 10-year planning process.   During that process, local  bus users asked for  increased services between their towns and Hamilton city and for more comfortable buses.  

The new service will be provided by Go Bus which won an eight-year tender awarded by Environment Waikato.

Waipa District Council’s manager, road corridor Dawn Inglis said Environment Waikato had responded “superbly” to local concerns by providing a more flexible timetable and by securing new buses to service the route. 

Bus fares were likely to be in line with current pricing, although the recently announced GST increase would impact on fares, she said.   Senior citizens would still be able to use their Super Gold Cards on the new service. 

Further details about the new service would be announced closer to the time.

For more  information, please contact:
Jeanette Tyrrell
Ph: 07 872 0097 or 027 293 8679
Email: jeanette.tyrrell@waipadc.govt.nz