Seeking more buses? Then start using them
OPINION: For the first four months I lived in New Plymouth, I had no car and relied on the public transport system or my bike to get around.
Can you guess which one I used the most?
Working normal day shifts was manageable, but outside those hours the Bell Block/Waitara bus was not much help. Occasionally I could catch it one way and be early, but short of that I had to ride the 10 kilometres one way. And back again.
I’d say I rode my bike at least as much as I caught the bus.
I’ve heard a friend in Wellington say their public transport is great, and Auckland’s is also extensive (if a little confusing at first because it’s such a vast area to cover). Nelson, my hometown, has a bus that runs through Stoke to Richmond every half hour from 6:45am to 7pm, more at peak times and numerous offshoot routes.
New Plymouth, on the other hand, has only three evening routes after 6pm, and the weekend loop services – one to the west of the city, one to the east – only runs twice. There is no Sunday bus.
The hard thing was working shifts, or weekends, when I had no other option. If I didn’t want to go to work early or go home late, I’d have to ride both ways.
The Big Man Upstairs was watching out for me, because I didn’t get soaked very often. It kept me fit, anyway. But if it was wet, or I wasn’t feeling good, or was just really tired at the end of the week, it was hard work. And for those who have no option except the bus, you have to order your day around when it’s running.
I think it would be great if there was a regular connection between the outer towns of Waitara and Oakura and the city. I can understand that the council have to balance service with demand, but it could become quite popular.
As petrol costs rise and drivers become more environment-focused, more people may use public transport, especially if it’s hard to maintain the costs of running a car. For me, convenience and energy dictate that I need a car.
It’s all very well talking about being a fitness freak who bikes to work every day, but in reality it takes its toll, especially in winter.
It is cheaper to use the bus than run a car. My 96 Toyota Corolla costs me a bit more than $60 to fill up (which is awesome!) and that lasts me a good two weeks around town. But that’s not counting insurance, maintenance, WOFs and so on.
On the bus, it cost me $3.09 a trip from Bell Block into town on a Smartcard, which meant my total transport costs were about $20-$30 a week (not including bike maintenance, which is about $10 a month maximum). If you are a student or beneficiary it’s cheaper.
It’s a balancing act for the council, but I tend to think that private transport is more attractive.