Passengers catching the regional bus services from Cambridge and Tamahere hit record levels last month but fare hikes are on the way.
Frequency has been given as the major reason for the boost in numbers – more buses to and from Hamilton – plus the introduction of modern electric models.
The Cambridge 20 bus at Hamilton Transport Centre. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The number 20 Cambridge service at about 12,000 passengers last month is soaring ahead of pre Covid numbers – and up nearly 40 per cent on May last year – while the Tamahere-Matangi trial, launched in February, has started with a hiss and a roar.
Sandra Sesto-Dekic
Some commuters from further south appear to be using it as a park and ride option.
The other Waipā service – number 24 from Kihikihi and Te Awamutu – is also breaking records with more than 13,000 passengers last month. It is so pressed for space, ma22ny passengers are hopping on the Te Kūiti Connector.
But there are concerns at Waikato Regional Council headquarters in Hamilton about the Te Kūiti and South Waikato connector services which travel through Waipā.
Some Cambridge travellers take the South Waikato Connector because it stops at Waikato University Gate Two in Knighton Road and does not have as many secondary school students as the regular service.
And Te Awamutu and Kihikihi numbers on the King Country bus are regularly more than half the total on Te Kūiti Connector each day.
Regional council team leader of Customer Focus Sandra Sesto-Dekic said it will take longer for people to get used to the increased services which now include more evening and weekend runs.
She gave the example of a family member who lives in Cambridge and is now able to catch the bus to Tamahere on Saturday to play sport where before she would have been reliant on a car.
Ruth Crampton
All fares go up on July 1.
“We are now looking at the biggest ever tariff changes since we had the Bee card,” she said.
Part of it is the government’s decision to scrap subsidies for age-based fares. Before April 30, children aged five to 12 travelled free and 13-24 got half price fares.
The regional council opted to keep those until July 1.
Super Gold card holders and those with an impairment, which means they are unable to drive, remain free.
Sesto-Dekic is confident the council’s decision to introduce a weekly fare cap for under 19s of 6.5 trips and nine for adults will help.
Another success has been the extra boost given to Bee Card retailers like the Cambridge i-Site which also provides top ups.
Liz Stolwyk
“I just ordered another 100 (Bee Cards), they’re flying out the door,” said Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton.
Across town routes in Tokoroa and Taupō are also meeting with success but there seems little chance something similar will happen in Cambridge anytime soon although deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Waipā’s representative on the regional council’s Future Proof committee, is applying the pressure.
“I’m still pushing Cambridge’s story,” she said.
On the (Regional) buses
On the (Regional) buses, the Te Awamutu 24
On the (Regional) buses – Kihikihi
