TOURIST BUSES NEED TO STOP

Tokoroa is in a straight line between Waitomo Caves and Rotorua.

Hundreds of tour coaches travel between the two attractions each day, but none of them pass through Tokoroa.

Daily pressure should be put on parliament to build a direct route between those two top attractions.

Unrelenting effort should be put into pushing for connecting Mamaku Sth Rd directly with Utuhina or Otonga Rds in Rotorua.

This would slice the distance in half between Tokoroa and Rotorua via Mossop Rd.

Even just the Tok-rotorua link would make it perfectly feasible for coaches to come via Old Taupo Rd bringing thousands of tourists to lunch in Tokoroa.

Arriving in town along Bridge St would also open up need for an alternative bus stand, perhaps by Pockets. It would also entice Mangakino district folk to travel via Tokoroa to Rotorua.

Tokoroa businesses need not fear from the Rotorua link, as our town would become an elite suburb of Rotorua, a smell-free, thermal-threat-free place.

Many would reside in Tokoroa and amble to work in Rotorua.

I put this to Waikato Regional Council four years ago and they showed their contempt for Tokoroa by not showing the least interest.

Rotorua being over their border it was totally out of any consideration from them.

We would be better off in Bay of Plenty Region.

Rotorua desperately needs that connection to be made with us, as most of their residents may well need that escape route, the only exit not passing thermal activity. Push that angle. If these links are not made, our largest rate of decline in Waikato region will just continue.