Changes made to Ka¯ piti’s timetable

In response to issues raised about the Ka¯ piti Coast train and bus timetable connections we are making timetable changes from September 30 to rectify the problem.

Thanks to those commutes who have provided examples of when and how the connections didn’t work resulting in buses leaving before trains arrived when they were running late.

As you may be aware, GWRC has brought in an international expert from Real Time Information (RTI) company ViX to work on the RTI system which has been unrealisable since the bus service transformation went live in July.

The result is that GWRC has been able to substantially fix the system-wide issue of the “Due” message being cleared from the sign minutes before the service arrived at stops.

It is now also possible to investigate the root cause of a system-wide issue where the accuracy of RTI onroad signs is affected when updating during the busy morning period.

We’re also investigating the flow on effect of late running vehicles and the impact they have of the accuracy of cross journey predictions on RTI signs. This situation is at times generating either “ghost buses” or “unannounced arrivals”. We are working with the operator to resolve this issue of predictions.

At the GWRC Sustainable Transport Committee today we will consider a paper proposing to extend the Levin to Waikanae bus service.

This follows a survey and district wide review by Horizons of their bus services — confirming the ongoing patronage and support for the service. Some tweaks are also being recommended — but all in support by retaining and improving the service.

Recommendations to councillors include; “The continuation of funding for the Levin — Waikanae trial bus service for a three year period commencing from March 2019”; that “The timetable being amended to allow connection with the rail services departing Waikanae Station at 10am and arriving at Waikanae Station at 2.53pm”; and that “The retention of the existing compulsory stop at O¯ taki”.