Overview

This consultation is now open until 11 June.

We’re excited to reveal the two bus network options for Taranaki. Have a read and let us know which one you prefer and why.

What we’re asking you

We’re asking you to compare the two options and tell us which bus network you prefer; Option 1 or Option 2.

How these options were developed

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Hop on Board consultation – whether you came to a pop-up session, submitted online or left a comment on Facebook. Your feedback has helped shape the future of public transport in Taranaki.

Three themes came through loud and clear. You wanted buses to key destinations, higher frequency services and for it to be easier to get around. We’ve developed both options with these goals front of mind.

We can't please everyone. Public transport funding will always involve trade-offs between service frequency and network coverage. We saw this in the Hop on Board consultation. Some of you asked for direct routes with high frequency while others said coverage and access was more important.

Ultimately our job is to use the available funding to provide a bus network that is as effective, efficient and equitable as possible.

Key points

  • Buses to destinations that matter most to you such as the airport, supermarkets, medical centres and sports fields.
  • Increased bus frequency (subject to funding availability).
  • Buses on Option 1 will travel clockwise and anti-clockwise on certain routes for added convenience.
  • Both options have a high frequency Orbiter service linking New Plymouth suburbs – removing the need to travel into town then out again.
  • Weekend, evening and public holiday services are a high priority where possible (the extent will be subject to funding).
  • Implementation of a new network is expected to start in late 2025 or early 2026. It will be phased in, improving the network in stages as funding becomes available.

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.

Have your say

The Options

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.

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Route Details

New Routes

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

Option 2

Option 1

Option 2

Option 1

  • Westown is covered in the option 1 Spotswood route.
  • Hurdon is covered by the option 1 Hurdon route.

Option 2

Option 1

Option 2

Option 1

Option 2

Option 1

Option 2

Option 1

Option 2

Option 1

  • There is no route that would cover Fitzroy and Glen Avon in option 1.
  • The Valley is covered in option 2 Airport route.

Option 2

  • Fitzroy is covered in option 2 Airport and Waitara routes.
  • Glen Avon is covered in option 2 Airport route.
  • The Valley is covered in option 2 Waitara 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

Option 2

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

Option 2

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.

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FAQs

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.
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