MEDIA RELEASE

Bigger buses in Tauranga

For immediate release: Wednesday 1 October 2008

Tauranga's busiest routes will get bigger buses from Wednesday 1 October.

Bus passengers have been experiencing overcrowding on routes serving, Brookfield/Matua (route 5), Papamoa (route 6) and Brookfield/Bethlehem (route 10) during the past few months.

As a result, Environment Bay of Plenty, which provides the bus services, and Tauranga City Council are funding larger buses with more seats on these routes.

On routes 5 and 10 there will be 200 extra seats each a day, while on route 6 there will be 500 extra seats a day.

This will mean an extra 900 seats in total a day.

Environment Bay of Plenty Transport Committee Chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said the larger buses would enable more people to experience bus services which were affordable, sustainable and increasingly convenient.

"We want to encourage more people to travel more often by bus. We know passengers have been experiencing overcrowding on these routes and we are pleased to be able to provide larger buses which will make the journey more comfortable for our loyal passengers and for potential new passengers," Councillor von Dadelszen said.

Meanwhile SuperGold card holders will be able to travel free by bus for from 9am to 3pm and from 6:30pm to the end of service on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays from tomorrow (Wednesday 1 October). Free bus travel is available on Tauranga, Katikati, Ohope, Rotorua and Murupara services, as well as services between Tauranga and Whakatane.

You must show your SuperGold card to the driver to be able to travel off-peak for free.

The SuperGold card is available to all eligible New Zealanders aged 65 years old or older and those under this age who receive the New Zealand Superannuation or the Veterans Pension. The card was launched in August 2007, providing access to business discounts, government and local authority services, entitlements and concessions. To get a SuperGold Card call 0800 25 45 65 or visit any Work and Income Service Centre.

For more information call 0800 4 BAY BUS or visit www.baybus.co.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media