Better Nelson bus service wanted

Nelson may get a new bus terminal, a report on public transport says.

The unifying thread for dozens of submissions on the city council’s land and public transport plans was a desire for improved bus services.

Submissions asked for longer-running services, more frequent buses, and an improved central terminal including bathrooms.

Councillor Mike Rutledge said public transport in Nelson was due for an upgrade. ‘‘Our product is pretty poor at the moment. That yard – because that’s what it is – is not a modern transport hub.’’

There are improvements slated for the terminal as part of the council’s long term plan, including potential relocation to another area in the CBD.

The relocation wouldn’t be taking place until the second or third year of the plan going into effect. The plan covers from June 2018 to June 2028.

Group manager of infrastructure Alec Louverdis said staff were in the early stages of an investigation into relocation, but they were ‘‘working to prepare a business case for provision for an inner city bus terminus’’.

‘‘It is too soon to say where it will be located or what it may look like. There is funding in the transport plan to enable investigation and design with some pro- visional funding for construction.’’

In the meantime, there are calls for improvements to the existing bus terminal. It was noted that there are no toilets provided at the terminal, which Mayor Rachel Reese said should be a simple problem to fix.

‘‘Can we just get that done? It’s a really basic service,’’ she said.

There is no contractual obligation for Nelson Suburban Bus Lines to provide bathroom facilities. The nearest public toilet is 100 metres away in Montgomery Square.

Other improvements to the service include the eventual introduction of a new bus-card system, which will give a 20 per cent reduction on all fares.