Seniors Urged To Give The Bus A Go

Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 9:58 pm
Article: Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

A new programme has been launched to support and encourage seniors to use public transport in the Top of the South.

“The eBus is something that I think should be more accessible for older people – our population’s growing so much, and not everyone is able to drive,” said Jackie MacIntyre, a community support coordinator with Age Concern Nelson Tasman.

The organisation is hosting a series of drop-in information sessions across the region as part of its All On Board programme over the next couple of months so people can learn more about the eBus service.

SuperGold cardholders can ride the bus for free outside of peak times, while Community Services cardholders can ride for half price.

These concessions can be loaded onto your Bee Card which otherwise provides cheaper fare than paying with cash.

The information sessions will include how to read a timetable, something MacIntyre said can be “a little bit daunting”, how to pay, and how the bus accommodates walkers and wheelchairs.

Attendees will also be able to get a Bee Card at the sessions too, which enables cheaper fares and free transfers.

There will also be several semi-guided bus journeys alongside volunteer ‘bus buddies’ so seniors can give the service a go without the stress of having to figure it out themselves the first time.

“I was a bit nervous of using the buses,” admitted Stoke resident Denise Gridley, “but once I used it for the first time, it was great.”

She currently used the bus once a week to take a trip into Nelson to socialise and run errands but will making the trip more often once she moves.

“It'll be at my gate; I'll be hopping on and off it more regularly,” Gridley said.

She tended to take the route via Tāhunanui into the city and enjoyed the views of the waterfront which she doesn’t see as much when she drives herself.

Denise Milne also catches the bus from Stoke into Nelson and Richmond several times a week to meet with friends or do shopping.

Catching the bus takes away the hassle of dealing with traffic or parking,” she said.

“I just find it much more relaxing going on the bus.”

Milne added that the drivers were “really helpful” and so people shouldn’t be apprehensive about using the service.

“I've noticed them with older people with walking frames or things like that, the bus drivers are always really good, and they can let down that step for someone, and people in wheelchairs.”

The eBus service launched in August 2023 and for the first time linked the outlying Tasman towns of Wakefield and Motueka with Nelson via public transport.

Barbara Jefferies has caught the bus from Motueka into Nelson a couple of times and plans to use it more in the future.

“It’s a very, very good service. I'd recommend it to anybody.”

A SuperGold cardholder, she can ride the bus for free outside of peak times, which she said was a “big bonus” for older people while costs are high.

The Motueka bus, which travels along Tasman’s coast between Motueka and Māpua, also offered “fantastic views”.

She did caution passengers that the Motueka bus timetable is less frequent than those in the urban area, but otherwise it was a “brilliant service”.

Age Concern's guided journeys and information sessions were being run with support from the Nelson City and Tasman District Councils.

Alec Louverdis, the group manager infrastructure with the Nelson council, said the councils aim to ensure the eBus was accessible, reliable, and affordable for all residents, including seniors.

“Public transport plays a vital role in promoting independence, reducing social isolation, and enabling older people to access essential services, participate in community activities, and enjoy what Nelson has to offer.”

The council frequently engaged with age and disability groups to address issues as they arise, such as recently softening the angle of the floor when the bus kneels to make it easier for people to enter and exit the bus.

Special engagement has also been sought to ensure the new bus hub to be built at Millers Acre considered the mobility and accessibility needs of everyone, Louverdis said.

A full list of the drop-in sessions and bus journeys can be found at ageconcernnt.org.nz/events-and-activities/all-on-board.

Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.