Bus trial funds may come from ratepayers

A $200,000 funding support request for the trial of a new ‘‘on demand’’ Timaru bus service could be siphoned from the Timaru District Council’s footpath maintenance budget.

Environment Canterbury is going through the process of researching the viability of an ondemand service, similar in approach to Uber, for Timaru and has requested the Timaru District consider financially assisting the transition.

‘‘The proposed new service will require set up costs and pilot trials. It is anticipated these costs will be met through additional funding assistance from New Zealand Transport Association (NZTA). However, the anticipated fixed-term transition will have an additional cost that is outside the current ECan and NZTA funding envelope,’’ a report from TDC land transport manager Andrew Dixon says.

ECan is asking for the district council to provide $100,000 in funding for each of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years.

‘‘This would need to be a cost on the Timaru urban area and could be funded in the Timaru footpath budget.

‘‘The Timaru cost would be 100 per cent rates funded and not eligible for NZTA financial assistance.’’

Dixon’s report said ‘‘the cost could be offset by a reduction in footpath expenditure in both years which was recently significantly increased following the additional unbudgeted revenue of $500,000 with the footpath maintenance and renewals now being eligible for NZTA financial assistance.’’

The scheme is currently in the ‘‘prototype testing’’ phase, where aspects of the service such as functionality, hours, cost of operation and service coverage are being tested with individuals and focus groups. A feasibility study should be complete by the end of this month.

Dixon adds that ‘‘the consultation to date has indicated that success may require the transition of the new service.

‘‘This will require the current scheduled bus service or part of the service to run alongside the (on demand service) for a period of time. This has cost implications and raises funding issues.’’

ECan deputy chairman Peter Scott, of South Canterbury, said he hoped the transition phase would begin ‘‘sometime before spring’’.

He said the standard bus infrastructure, including bus stops, would remain for the meantime. However, Scott said if the ‘‘on demand’’ service increased in popularity, then there would be less need for stationary bus stops.

‘‘But whatever happens, we’ve got to bring the community along with us on this journey,’’ Scott said.

‘‘We’ve got to start somewhere, but from my point of view, success would mean an increase in passenger numbers overall.’’

Scott said there had been a lot of discussion about the proposal from other places.

‘‘I’ve heard that Ashburton is interested in the idea, and there are parts of Christchurch where it could feasibly work. But there is a need for the Timaru district council to be supportive of this.’’

Scott said he did not have figures to hand about how much the overhaul of Timaru’s bus service would cost, but said it was ‘‘sizeable’’. ECan was in the process of applying for NZTA funding for the next stage, he said.

Dixon’s report recommended the funding request be considered on March 18-19 when council debates its new budget.

‘‘The Timaru cost would be 100 per cent rates funded and not eligible for NZTA financial assistance.’’ TDC land transport manager Andrew Dixon