The eBus service for Nelson and Tasman is proving to be successful. Data shows there were 68,000 journeys in August, its first month. This is an increase of 68 per cent on the old NBus service.
It is encouraging that patronage continued to climb through August with a 16 per cent increase from week one to week four. It is also encouraging that the new services to Motueka and Wakefield are proving popular with nearly 3000 journeys over the month.
The introduction of this service has been a massive job. We needed agreement between our two Councils and Waka Kotahi on funding. A new contract had to be negotiated with Nelson Coachlines. The 17 new eBuses had to be purchased and 30 bus drivers were recruited.
New routes and the locations of 100 new bus stops had to be determined and the roadworks and markings done. We also upgraded the Bridge Street interchange and are building 14 new bus shelters.
The success of the new service is a reinforcement of the decision I initiated last November for the two Councils to form a Joint Regional Transport Committee. It makes no sense for Nelson and Tasman to be separately planning and delivering transport improvements when we are so connected.
The new service could not have come at a better time with family budgets under acute pressure from the highest inflation in 30 years. Petrol prices have hit $3 a litre making running a car costly. These prices are likely to rise further with the Kiwi dollar falling to 59c against the US dollar and the Government proposing to increase the excise tax by another 12c/litre.
There have been some inevitable bumps. We moved the Stoke interchange in response to local concern. Some buses have been full, requiring overflow buses. The most common issue raised has been the need for an earlier service on Routes 1 and 2 between Richmond and Nelson. We welcome additional feedback so we can refine and improve the service.
We are leading NZ with this new eBus service reducing emissions and improving transport choices. I thank all who have helped with its successful implementation.
