‘Bold’ plan - better bus, train services, less carbon
‘‘Bold’’ changes to the region’s public transport are being proposed in a new plan from Waikato Regional Council.
It includes a significant expansion of bus services for Hamilton and ‘‘continuous improvement’’ for the Te Huia train service linking the city to Auckland. Another goal is making public transport net negative on the carbon emissions front through the likes of electric buses and tree planting.
The release of the plan for public submissions follows information going to councillors about a planned almost fourfold public transport spending increase from $36 million annually to $140m in 30 years. The majority of that overall spend would be sourced from fare revenue and central government, with some coming from ratepayers.
A council statement said the plan – approved by eight votes to three for consultation – aimed to connect every urban area to its nearest regional centre with daily bus services. A future network was proposed that would enable growth to increasingly concentrate around frequent public transport corridors. ‘‘These corridors would enable fast and convenient car-free access throughout [Hamilton and the] ... wider metropolitan area,’’ the council said.
For Te Huia, the plan signals investigating the viability and benefit of rail stations in Pō keno and Te Kauwhata.
The cost of achieving carbon emissions neutrality is expected to be up to $900,000 a year, regional connections committee chairperson Angela Strange said.
The ‘‘very ambitious’’ goal is thought to be the first of its kind in the country.
Strange said that central to the overall plan was a goal to maximise access to vari
The plan signals investigating the viability and benefit of rail stations in Pōkeno and Te Kauwhata.
ous opportunities such as jobs, education and housing.
‘‘That means designing our public transport network in a way that meets people’s needs, and in doing that we can reduce dependency on private motor vehicles and harmful impacts on the environment from transport.’’
It was acknowledged that achieving the plan’s goals would require higher levels of public transport expenditure over time.
‘‘I want to reassure people that even if we get public support for these aims, any changes to investment will need to go through a Long Term Plan process,’’ said council chairperson Barry Quayle.
The draft plan and online submission form will be available from today.