Free buses on Saturday as part of consultation
Public consultation has opened on a proposed shakeup of Canterbury’s public transport network.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) is offering free bus rides across the network on Saturday so people can try the service and think about what the sort if public transport system Greater Christchurch needs.
The draft Regional Public Transport Plan proposes sweeping changes for the region’s public transport network, to be bought in over the next 30 years. They include:
❚ More bus routes, including four new core routes (Lyttelton to the airport, Lincoln to New Brighton, Wigram to Prestons and Belfast to Cashmere) running every 15 minutes.
❚ More frequent services, with the five current core routes Halswell to Queenspark, Hornby to New Brighton, Sumner to Avonhead, Belfast to Barrington, and the Orbiter) running every 10 minutes.
❚ An emission-free fleet by 2030.
❚ A central-city shuttle trial.
❚ Rapid transit corridors to and from the north and southwest of the city. This may or may not be light rail, dependant on how technology develops.
But the changes would come at a cost – it is forecast an extra $9.26 million of ratepayer money would need to be found in the
2020/21 financial year (based on expected patronage), with further shortfalls predicted in subsequent years.
ECan chair Steve Lowndes said the plan was ‘‘vastly different’’ to previous plans, containing for the first time the ‘‘visionary change needed to create a healthier and more environmentally sustainable city and region’’.
‘‘It’s all about making public transport a much more desirable option, and setting up Greater Christchurch for a sustainable transport future.’’
Lowndes said ‘‘substantially’’ more investment would be needed from the early 2020s to make the future vision a reality.
‘‘How fast we can make this transition will depend on the rate of funding available, coming from a combination of fares, rates and government grants.’’
Following submissions, ECan will hold hearings before finalising the Regional Public Transport Plan and adopting it in December.
ECan is holding a range of community events to explain the plan.
The public will be able to comment on the plan until October 14. You can submit at https://haveyoursay.ecan.govt.nz/connect-canterbury/ or at the ECan offices in Christchurch and Timaru.