Mixed response to main street bus proposal
South Cantabrians are being asked to give their views on the region’s bus services - and whether they want public transport along Timaru’s bustling main shopping street.
The survey is part of an Environment Canterbury review into the effectiveness of the service.
Questions for Timaru residents included whether a bus should be introduced through the main shopping area, along with what would motivate people to try using a bus.
It also asks whether the region’s bus stops were accessible enough.
Opinions were mixed on whether a bus service down Stafford St in central Timaru was a good idea.
Timaru Acquisitions manager Dorothy Armer said the street was a busy thoroughfare, and having a bus would not be practical unless parking was reduced.
‘‘I’m not sure a bus service going up the main part of Stafford St would be beneficial,’’ she said.
However Mocca Cafe and Roastery owner Melanie Palmer thought transport to bring people into Timaru’s business hub would be ideal, as long as it was just one bus.
Armer said she lived on the outskirts of Timaru and did not take the bus herself, but if buses were more frequent she would use the service. ‘‘I think a lot of people [would].’’ Buses run from Gleniti, Watlington and Grantlea into central Timaru every hour, with twice-hourly buses between 7am and 8am.
The Timaru Link bus, which goes past the hospital and Highfield Mall, runs twice an hour throughout the day.
ECan public transport strategy manager Edward Wright said after the survey responses were collated the council would consider what changes could be made, and run a public consultation.
A separate survey has gone out to people in Temuka, 18km from Timaru, and Geraldine, 36km from the town.
Wright said the council was particularly interested in finding out whether Geraldine residents wanted more public transport to Timaru. Geraldine Community Board member Janene Adams said the town’s community vehicle trust provided a very popular transport service, but it would be interesting to explore other options as well.
Temuka residents were asked whether the bus to Timaru ran frequently enough, and what their preferred times were.
Timaru District councillor Steve Wills said in Timaru itself the service was meeting the needs of the population.
He did not see a need for a bus down Stafford St.
However several people in the community told him they wanted a bus from Timaru to the Washdyke Flat area.
‘‘I would like to see an extension of it. Hopefully that will be addressed,’’ he said.
The surveys are running until June 11 and can be viewed at the Metro Info website.