Moturoa
One route for both Options 1 and 2
Where to next?
This consultation is now closed.
Next, we’ll be seeking feedback on regional public transport branding, followed by the launch of the new public transport network.
This consultation ran from May to June 2024 presenting the community with two bus network options. The options were developed using feedback from the previous Hop on board consultation. We asked for your preference between:
Option 1: High-frequency and direct routes
Option 2: A balanced network with a mix of high-frequency direct routes and access to key destinations
Details in development
Timetables and schedules will be fully developed once we know the preferred network and the funding available. However we have included target service frequencies for each option, so you know what we’re aiming for. We think that’s important to help you balance up the pros and cons of each option.
We’re currently working through a process to obtain funding for the new bus network and will be able to release final timetables and schedules once that’s confirmed.
We’re working hard to get the funding we need to provide you with a great network, however, it’s important to keep in mind that frequency may be staged or routes may have to be modified until more funding becomes available. Either way, the principle remains the same – that is, Option 1 is a more direct network which means it can have higher frequency, whereas Option 2 has access to more destinations and therefore a slightly lower frequency.
Bus operators have preferred routes that enable their drivers to negotiate the inner New Plymouth CBD. How a bus arrives and leaves the Ariki Street hub may change slightly, pending feedback from the new operator.
Some routes are both clockwise and anti-clockwise using one way streets. We're aware of this and the finalised routes will display the alternative one way street for the opposite direction.
We received significant feedback during this consultation, with a total of 383 responses through online submissions, in-person discussions, emails and phone calls.
Option 2 emerged as the preferred choice, with 68.3% of respondents favoring this route. We’re also exploring some additional suggestions and adjustments based on your feedback.
Key Changes and Additions
- The connection from South Taranaki to Taranaki Base Hospital will be retained
- New stops to be added including:
- Marama Crescent on the Moturoa route
- Glenpark Avenue on the Base Hospital route
- Branch Road on the Merrilands route
Option 1: A “turn up and go” bus network featuring high frequency, direct routes
Option 1 is a highly efficient network that gets commuters where they need to go faster. It includes 12 direct, high frequency services on main routes. On the flip side, for some in our community, the nearest bus route may be further away.
This ‘turn up and go’ service means people don’t need to worry about checking a timetable – they can just head to their nearest bus stop knowing it’s just a short wait for the next bus.
Under this option, we will aim to run buses every 15 minutes at peak times, subject to funding.
| Pros | Cons |
| High frequency, direct services. The goal is 15 minutes at peak times. | Fewer bus routes than Option 2. |
| Maximises the number of people who can get to key destinations quickly and efficiently. | Reduced accessibility for some passengers, who live in or want to travel to, areas further away from the key corridors. |
| Loop services. Merrilands, Spotswood and the Orbiter route will have buses travelling both clockwise and anti-clockwise, cutting down unnecessary travel time to get where you need to go. | |
| Airport service. |
Option 2: A balanced network featuring some high frequency direct routes as well as access to key destinations
Option 2 allows for faster connections to key destinations, but also has more route coverage which means that you have better access to where you want to go. Option 2 has 15 routes and will reach destinations that Option 1 does not, such as Glen Avon. This option focuses on the destinations you requested in recent public consultations such as supermarkets, medical and social services and sports facilities. We’ve taken this feedback on board.
This option aims for a 15-30 minute frequency at peak times, subject to funding.
| Pros | Cons |
| More bus routes than the current network and Option 1. | Less frequent services than Option 1. |
| Better connections to some residential areas, while still having higher priority routes with more frequent services. | |
| Focus on getting people to key destinations e.g. supermarkets, medical and social services and sporting facilities. | |
| Better transfer options between routes to more easily move around the network. | |
| Orbiter will have buses travelling both clockwise and anti-clockwise cutting down unnecessary travel time to get you where you need to go. |
|
| Airport service. |
New Routes
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Spotswood
Option 1 and 2
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Hurdon
Option 1 and 2
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Vogeltown
Option 1 and 2
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Frankleigh Park
Option 2
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Westown
Option 2
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Merrilands
Option 1 and 2
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New Plymouth Orbiter
Option 1 and 2
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New Plymouth to Airport
Option 1 and 2
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Waitara Express
Option 1 and 2
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Waitara
Option 2
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Ōpunake to New Plymouth
One route for both options 1 and 2
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Ōpunake to Hāwera
One route for both options 1 and 2
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Hāwera to New Plymouth
Option 1 and 2
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Hāwera to Waverley
One route for both Options 1 and 2
What about my current route?
Wondering what's replacing your current route? Take a look at the info below to see what new route/s in each option could be replacing your current route.
Moturoa is covered in the option 1 and option 2 Moturoa route. This route is the same for both options.
Option 1
- Lynmouth is covered in the option 1 Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Blagdon is covered in the option 1 New Plymouth Orbiter route.
- Marfell is covered in the option 1 Spotswood and Hurdon routes.
- Whalers Gate is covered in the option 1 New Plymouth Orbiter route.
- Spotswood is covered in the option 1 Moturoa, Spotswood, New Plymouth Orbiter and О̄punake to New Plymouth routes.
Option 2
- Lynmouth is covered in the option 2 Spotswood, Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Blagdon is covered in the option 2 Spotswood and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Marfell is covered in the option 2 Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Whalers Gate is covered in the option 2 Spotswood and New Plymouth Orbiter route.
- Spotswood is covered in the option 2 Moturoa, Spotswood, New Plymouth Orbiter and О̄punake to New Plymouth routes.
Option 1
- Lynmouth is covered in the option 1 Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Marfell is covered in the option 1 Spotswood and Hurdon routes.
- Taranaki Base Hospital is covered in the option 1 Waitara Express route.
- Westown is covered in the option 1 Spotswood route.
Option 2
- Lynmouth is covered in the option 2 Spotswood, Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Marfell is covered in the option 2 Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Taranaki Base Hospital is covered in the option 2 Westown, New Plymouth Orbiter and Waitara routes.
- Westown is covered in the option 2 Westown, New Plymouth Orbiter and Waitara routes.
Option 1
- Frankleigh Park is covered in the option 1 Hurdon and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Ferndale is covered in the option 1 Hurdon route.
Option 2
- Frankleigh Park is covered in the option 2 Frankleigh Park and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Ferndale is covered in the option 2 Frankleigh Park route.
Option 1
- Lower Vogeltown is covered in the option 1 Vogeltown route.
- Vogeltown is covered in the option 1 Vogeltown and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Upper Vogeltown is covered in the option 1 Vogeltown route.
- Brooklands is covered in the option 1 Vogeltown route.
Option 2
- Lower Vogeltown is covered in the option 2 Frankleigh Park route.
- Vogeltown is covered in the option 2 Frankleigh Park and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Upper Vogeltown is covered in the option 2 Vogeltown route.
- Brooklands is covered in the option 2 Vogeltown route.
Option 1
- Welbourn is covered in option 1 Merrilands and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Highlands Park is covered in option 1 Merrilands route.
Option 2
- Welbourn is covered in option 2 Merrilands and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Highlands Park is covered in option 2 Merrilands route.
Option 1
- Merrilands is covered in option 1 Merrilands and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Highlands Park is covered in option 1 Merrilands route.
Option 2
- Merrilands is covered in option 2 Merrilands and New Plymouth Orbiter routes.
- Highlands Park is covered in option 2 Merrilands route.
The new bus network does not have a separate Saturday bus route. The goal is to have all New Plymouth urban bus routes operating on weekends and holidays.
The new bus network does not have a separate Saturday bus route. The goal is to have all New Plymouth urban bus routes operating on weekends and holidays.
Option 1
- Bell Block is covered in option 1 Airport and Waitara Express routes.
- Waitara is covered in option 1 Waitara Express route.
Option 2
- Bell Block is covered in option 2 Airport and Waitara routes.
- Waitara is covered in option 2 Waitara Express and Waitara routes.
Option 1
- There is no route that would cover Fitzroy in option 1.
- The Valley is covered in option 1 Airport route.
- Bell Block is covered in option 1 Airport and Waitara Express routes.
- Waitara is covered in option 1 Waitara Express route.
Option 2
Option 1
- Opunake is covered in the Opunake to New Plymouth and Ōpunake to Hāwera routes.
- Hawera, Normanby, Eltham, Stratford, Midhurst, Inglewood and Egmont Village are covered in the Hawera to New Plymouth route.
- Taranaki Base Hospital is covered in the option 1 Waitara Express route.
- There is no route that would cover Hawera Hospital in option 1.
Option 2
- Opunake is covered in the Opunake to New Plymouth and Ōpunake to Hāwera routes.
- Hawera, Normanby, Eltham, Stratford, Midhurst, Inglewood and Egmont Village are covered in the Hawera to New Plymouth route.
- Taranaki Base Hospital is covered in the option 2 Westown, New Plymouth Orbiter and Waitara routes.
- Hawera Hospital is covered in the option 2 Hawera to New Plymouth route.
- Ōpunake is covered in the Ōpunake to Hāwera route.
- There is no route that would cover Kaponga and Ohawe.
- Manaia is covered in the Ōpunake to Hāwera route.
Waverley and Pātea are covered in the option 1 and option 2 Hāwera to Waverley route. This route is the same for both options and remains unchanged.
Ōpunake, Rahotu, Pungarehu, Okato and Oakura are covered in option 1 and option 2 Ōpunake to New Plymouth route. This route is the same for both options and remains unchanged.
The Hāwera to New Plymouth service for both options follows the same direct route along State Highway 3. Both options go into Ariki Street. Option 1 travels to and from the Hāwera isite and Option 2 stops at Hāwera Hospital. Neither option will include Taranaki Base Hospital.
The Ōpunake to New Plymouth route remains the same.
The Ōpunake to Hāwera route has one change, where the Ohawe on demand service is no longer an option.
The Hāwera to Waverley route remains the same.
You’ve told us you want more services on these routes, including weekend and public holiday options. We won’t know if that’s possible until funding is confirmed but it’s a priority for us and we’re working hard to make this happen.
A new bus network is expected to be implemented in late 2025 or early 2026. We know that seems like a long way away but there’s a lot of work to do between now and then to ensure a smooth transition.
For some passengers this will be the case, particularly under Option 1. Option 2 provides more access than Option 1, but some current routes may have been removed or changed.
The challenge is finding a balance between service frequency and network coverage, given funding constraints.
Option 2 is the more balanced option for those concerned about ensuring accessibility for as much of the community as possible. Option 1 is more beneficial to commuters and those on or near the direct routes.
The options set out the target frequencies for each service, which is every 15 minutes at peak times in Option 1 and every 15-30 minutes on peak times in Option 2. These are subject to funding.
We’ll share the timetables and confirmed schedules for the preferred option as soon as we’re able. Regardless of funding, the principle remains – that is, there will be higher frequency services and less connection on Option 1 and slightly less frequency on some routes but more connection on Option 2.
No. School services will remain as they are now.
Absolutely. We’re interested in what you have to say. If you have a favourite but have a suggestion to make it even better, let us know what that is. We’ll consider all feedback before making a decision.
We’ve worked alongside the community and specialist public transport planners to come up with these two options, which we believe best meet the needs of the community.
Regardless, we know we’re never going to please everyone. Even if you don’t love either option, we still want to hear which one you prefer and your suggestions on how to improve it.
At this stage there are no plans to change our fare structure. If that changes, we’ll give you plenty of notice.
We’ve listened to your feedback and heard you want direct and frequent services. High on people’s list is access to certain destinations, such as the airport, supermarkets, medical centres and sports grounds. Therefore, we favour Option 2 as it works to achieve a balance of both high patronage and accessibility. But, we want to know what your preference is and hear your thoughts.
Your feedback was the foundation of the development of the two network options. The Government’s Land Transport Policy Statement also plays a major role in our bus network planning, as it sets the direction for the Government’s priorities for land transport and dictates the funding range for public transport services.
Your feedback from previous consultations has been considered and has remained consistent when it comes to faster and frequent buses, with access to more destinations.
Nothing is set in stone. We’ll consider each piece of feedback we receive and go through a process before the final bus network is presented to the public.
We’re currently waiting on Government funding for these additional bus services. We hope to know more later this year and will then be able to let you know what the next three years look like.
