MyWay is right way for public transport

Patronage of Timaru’s trial of ondemand public transport has surpassed the services it replaces by nearly 40 per cent, since the beginning of June.

MyWay by Metro’s 12-month trial will be officially launched in Timaru today, after the service was quickly brought out of its pilot period to aid those needing public transport for essential travel when the Covid-19 lockdown began, a statement from Environment Canterbury says.

With nearly 1000 people having taken rides, ECan councillor Peter Scott says it is clear the public is interested to see how the service will work for them.

‘‘That’s exactly what it’s been designed to do – work around the user.

‘‘Unlike traditional public transport, which has set routes and timetables that people must fit in around, users can book MyWay by Metro to pick them up and drop them off at convenient locations across Timaru.’’

The Timaru Link and scheduled school service continue to operate as normal, while on-demand transport has replaced the Grantlea, Watlington and Gleniti services.

ECan says patronage has risen from an average of 262 trips a day on these services at the same time last year, to a weekday average of 365 during June. On Monday, there were 244 users and 263 on Tuesday when fares were introduced this week, and has since climbed back to 325 on Thursday.

ECan said with wide acceptance among the community that Timaru’s public transport usage was in decline, it had embarked on a research project with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Timaru District Council to find a sustainable solution.

‘‘The reality was that things needed to change, because ratepayers and taxpayers cannot keep subsidising a public transport system that is poorly utilised,’’ Scott added.

In 2019, the NZTA confirmed its support for the trial and is funding 51 per cent of it.

ECan says it has visited community, senior citizen and disability advocacy groups, run focus groups, pop-up consultation booths, an online survey, and conducted a pilot with more than 150 users to ensure the service meets the diverse needs of the community.

More than half of those surveyed said they would like to be able to use public transport during the day in the weekends, and around a quarter would use the service in the evenings, enabling easier access to work or social activities.

‘‘MyWay meets these needs – we run longer hours and now have a weekend service carrying nearly 200 passengers a day, accessibility features have been included, such as ramps and space for wheelchairs and strollers, and there’s also bike racks,’’ Scott said.

Mercedes Sprinter and LDV vans are used.

Over 70 per cent of bookings are made through the app, with the remaining made through the local call centre.

If the trial is successful, the NZTA is interested in replicating the on-demand model for public transport in many other towns and small cities.