New bus runs added
A schedule upgrade for Te Awamutu’s and Cambridge’s popular bus services to and from Hamilton means commuters will have more options with extra evening and weekend runs being added next week.
Waikato Regional Council’s BUSIT will implement the schedule upgrade from Monday, January 20.
The upgrade comes as a result from feedback received from passengers who indicated there was a demand for additional runs.
“We’ve been hearing from our daily commuters for some time that a later evening service would make balancing work, life and travel much easier for them,” said Waikato Regional Council public transport manager Andrew Wilson.
The changes made to Te Awamutu’s bus schedule include an earlier weekday service from Hamilton to Te Awamutu, leaving the Hamilton Transport Centre at 7.45am, and two later weekday services with a run from Te Awamutu to Hamilton at 5.20pm and a run from Hamilton to Te Awamutu at 6.15pm.
Two later evening runs have also been added to Cambridge’s bus schedule with a bus leaving Leamington for Hamilton at 5.15pm and a run from Hamilton to Leamington leaving at 6.15pm.
The last runs from Hamilton to Te Awamutu and Cambridge is an hour later than the current last evening run.
Waipa¯ District Council service delivery group manager Dawn Inglis said it is hoped that these additional runs will make it more feasible for commuters to use the bus service as their daily method of transport.
“The bus service needs to be an option for everyone. With the last run back to Cambridge and Te Awamutu at 5.15pm some people weren’t able to make it to the bus stop in time, so this later service will mean they won’t miss out,” said Dawn.
An additional service on the weekends and public holidays has also been added to the schedules of both bus services. Times throughout the weekdays have also changed for both to even out gaps in the current schedules.
Bus passengers are encouraged to check the timetable online at busit.co.nz or call the 24-hour bus Infoline on 0800 205 305.