The bus is back!

The bus is back!

Hopefully you’ve heard the good news that the Community Networks/LINK Community Shuttle Trial restarts next week!

With funding from Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT), this second trial will be bigger and better. We’re delighted that so many partners have come together to make public transport a short-term reality in the Upper Clutha, recognising the importance of initiatives seeking to reduce carbon emissions and combat the climate crisis.

We have heard and appreciate our community’s feedback, and we hope this second trial will offer more opportunities to leave the car at home. We’re refining elements of the first trial in response to feedback and testing different network design options - while collecting further data to inform longer-term public transport planning. This time, ORC are particularly interested to see the impact of the shuttle on decarbonisation and vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) reduction.

There’s a timetable, map of the route and FAQs on our website, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s everything you need to know:

·        There will be two services: a streamlined Hāwea - Wānaka express route, and intra-city loops around Wānaka.

·        The service will run five days a week, Monday – Friday.

·        There are four stops on the express route - at Lake Hāwea; Camphill Road; Albert Town; and Wānaka CBD - with travel time totalling 25 minutes.

·        Intra-city loops connecting the Health Centre, Three Parks, Albert Town, Northlake and Anderson Road to the CBD will run five times a day.

·        The price per trip is $2.

·        There are 11 passenger seats on the bus.

·        Booking is still encouraged to guarantee your seat on the express service, but is not required to jump on an intra-city loop – just wait at a marked bus stop.

·        There will be space for two bikes on a rear bike rack – first come, first served. If you’re carrying a bike, it’s best to add this in the comments when booking.

·        The feedback survey will work in the same way as the previous trial, but with a few additional questions to capture VTK reduction data. Please be sure to complete the survey online or on paper every time you take a ride.

·        For more information, timetable and FAQs, visit www.communitynetworks.co.nz/shuttle-trial.

·        To book your seat on the express service, visit www.yello.co.nz/community-shuttle.

As always, the more we use it, the greater the message that the Upper Clutha needs a permanent public transport service. Let’s keep the wheels turning, Wānaka!