MyWay hours trial to continue
A trial of longer hours for Timaru’s on-demand MyWay public transport service on Fridays and Saturdays has been extended until the end of June.
On January 26, Environment Canterbury heeded calls from users to extend the public service on both nights until 9pm.
Previously, it finished at 7pm on Fridays and 6pm on Saturdays.
Last month, the regional council reported that the extended hours had received a positive community response.
The trial had been set to finish this month. On Tuesday, ECan announced it would continue until the end of June so users could “benefit for longer while more data is gathered”.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer this additional service of later night rides to our Timaru community,” ECan public transport general manager Stewart Gibbon said.
“We would like to see even more people make the most of it over the next two months.
“Extending the trial until the end of June enables us to continue through the colder months and gives us a better idea of its demand in different seasons.
“While it’s had a positive reception, we do want to caution this is a trial, and we want to see patronage continue to rise to prove the late-night service’s viability [in the] long term.”
He said the regional council was aware some users would like MyWay to run even later on the weekends, but this was “not viable with current patronage numbers”.
So far, about 800 rides have been completed on the later night service.
On average, 23 rides are taken on Friday evenings and 47 on Saturday evenings, Gibbon said.
The extended hours, which began on January 26, came after a survey was completed in October to gauge the level of community interest.
Of the 600 responses, 87% said they might use the service and 52% said they might use it each weekend.
Bookings can be made on the MyWay by Metro app or by calling (03) 688 5544. An adult fare costs $2.50.