New bus routes for city raise concerns

Blind residents are worried changes to bus routes will make it more difficult for them to use public transport.

The concerns came as the Invercargill City Council’s community services committee adopted a new regional public transport plan yesterday.

The plan proposes to replace the four current one-way looped bus routes with 3 straight routes with buses running in both directions, and also plans to introduce a flat fee structure.

The council received 50 submissions on the plan with two submissions supporting the plan unchanged, and 48 making suggestions for amendments or additions.

Blind Citizens NZ, in its submission, says the current service was accessible and wanted this to continue.

Southland branch chairwoman Andrea Courtney said the proposed route servicing Southland Hospital would drop passengers on the opposite side of the road to the hospital.

‘‘That puts a barrier for the vision impaired and I believe the elderly and those with some mobility issues, there’s no way we can cross that road.’’

Either a controlled crossing would need to be installed, or affected passengers would need to ride the bus to the end of the line and alight at the hospital on the return journey, she said.

Their submission says that changes to bus routes had an increased impact on members, with users having to relearn safe routes to and from bus stops.

‘‘In many cases we will require some orientation and mobility training from the Blind Foundation so we can use our buses again,’’ it said.

There was also disappointment a bus stop had not been introduced near the Blind Foundation building on Queens Dr.

Invercargill City Council roading manager Russell Pearson said one route would be altered to run down Gala St, and the stop at the intersection of St Andrew St and Mary St would give blind users another option to access this area.

Eleanor Easton spoke to her submission and said the proposed routes would disadvantage Ascot Care home residents and Waverley Park School pupils.

The closest proposed bus stop for these groups was a forty minute round trip, she said.

‘‘That’s a lot to expect of people who are over 80 and it’s a lot to expect of our school children every day, particularly when its wet.’’

Pearson said that there would always be people disadvantaged when bus routes change.

‘‘We recognise some customers will get an improved service whilst unfortunately some will have less service.’’

The new routes had taken current usage statistics into account when they were designed, he said.

The Invercargill Youth Council said the proposed move to a $3 flat rate for cash fares was expensive for children.

The discounted $2 fare for Bus Smart card users was also inequitable, with the submission saying ‘‘having a 40 year old pay the same as a six year old is unfair’’.

Youth council spokesman Hamish Muhl said: ‘‘We find that children have a limited income and there are other things that they won’t be able to do potentially if they have to pay a higher bus fare’’

Children between five and 15 years of age currently pay $2.10 for peak travel, and $1.60 off peak.

The transport plan will now go to a full council meeting on March 13 for approval.