Stratford gets a bus service

29 July 2013

A once-a-week shoppers’ bus service from Stratford to New Plymouth and return begins on Thursday (1 August) for a trial of up to 11 months.

The new service is an extension of the once-a-week Inglewood-New Plymouth service that began in 2007, operated by Tranzit Coachlines under contract to the Taranaki Regional Council.

“The trial comes after advocacy from Grey Power and support from the Stratford community,” says the Council’s Transport Services Manager, Chris Clarke. “We’re urging Stratford people to remember that this is a trial service, so it’s a case of use it or lose it.”

The new service will depart from Miranda Street, opposite the Stratford i-SITE, at 9am on Thursdays, arriving at New Plymouth at 10.05am. The return service will leave New Plymouth at 2.10pm and arrive in Stratford at 3.05pm.

“There’s no change to times or bus stops for Inglewood passengers,” says Mr Clarke. “The Stratford leg is simply an addition to the existing Inglewood service.”

Passengers in Stratford and Inglewood are urged to book in advance by calling 0800 87 22 87 or (06) 765 5843. “This is simply so we don’t get caught out by putting on a bus that’s too small for the demand in any particular week,” says Mr Clarke. “But unless the bus is already full, people will be able to hail it from anywhere along the route.”

Because of a Government moratorium on new SuperGold Card services, holders of these cards will be able to ride for free only on the Inglewood-New Plymouth leg.

For more information on the Stratford-New Plymouth shopper service, see www.taranakibus.info.

ENDS

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