MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Public feedback wanted on public transport

Want to share your two cents about buses?

Horizons Regional Council has released their draft regional public transport plan and is seeking feedback from the community.

An effective, efficient transport system is what Council wants but to help achieve this they are looking to the public to share their thoughts and opinions on the plan.

The 10 year plan specifies the public transport services that Horizons are proposing as well as nearly 40 other policies surrounding fares, funding and accessibility.

The number of passengers carried by public transport in the region has steadily increased in the last decade.

The latest figures showing passenger numbers on services supported by Horizons were up 119% in the last 10 years.

Chair of Horizons Passenger Transport Committee Vern Chettleburgh says it would be fantastic to see this number keep rising.

"Public feedback on the new draft plan is important to ensure the progress we have made is continued.

"We want to hear what people think about the proposed plan for the next 10 years, how well it will support their way of living and how we can encourage them to keep using these services" Mr Chettleburgh says.

Horizons have been working closely with city councils, district councils and community groups to ensure the region's transport needs are adequately identified.

In the early 2000's several new services were introduced and improvements made to public transport after a funding increase from Central Government.

The last regional public transport plan saw a number of services get off the ground, including:
- the Marton to Palmerston North trial service;
- continuation of the Massey University free scheme after a successful trial;
- introduction of a Fernlea / Heights bus service and
- a new Palmerston North bus timetable with more frequency.

ENDS

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