Hamilton’s bus services are getting significant improvements from the end of this month by introducing new technology and redesigned routes.
“The changes aim to make bus travel easier for passengers by providing real-time travel information and streamlining routes and services,” says Waikato Regional Council’s public transport manager Andrew Wilson.
The planned technology improvements include a mobile app that allows people to track their bus in real-time and trialing of new real time information street displays at select locations.
There will also be new and refurbished coaches with on board CCTV cameras, and free wifi for passengers phased in between September and January 2018.
A new ticketing system is also being developed, allowing top ups of bus cards online, along with other features that will make bus travel easier. The new ticketing system is due in 2018.
Meanwhile, a range of route changes is coming into effect at the end of September, with the second round of improvements due to be in place by the end of January 2018.
At the end of September, some bus routes will be merged, with resources allocated to higher-demand areas, and routes simplified by making them more direct.
The number 15 Ruakura bus will be withdrawn as part of these changes to reduce duplication of services and in response to relatively low utilization.
The city’s busiest bus route, the Orbiter, will increase service frequency to every 15 minutes between 6 am and 6 pm and approximately every 25 minutes between 6 pm and 9 pm Monday-Friday. There will also be greater seating capacity available on the Orbiter service at peak times.
The Orbiter route is simplifying within the vicinity of the University. Buses will now travel via Ruakura, Knighton and Clyde streets. Obiter buses will no longer go along Old Farm or Cameron roads.
This change is to improve journey times, service reliability and provide coverage to Ruakura Road stops following the removal of the 15 Ruakura service.
As part of the changes, Hamilton City Council is installing new bus stops near Innovation Park. The previous Orbiter stops on Old Farm Road, and the 13 University services, will now serve Cameron Road.
These changes also mean the Orbiter will no longer travel along Peachgrove Rd between Ruakura Rd and Clyde St. However, Orbiter school assist buses will still go along that section of Peachgrove Rd at school times.
Meanwhile, three additional bus services – being the Te Rapa, Pukete and Nawton routes – will be extended to The Base, enabling better access to a major activity centre. The bus hub at The Base will also become a more convenient inter-change location for people transferring between services.
The council will be providing extensive information about the changes in the weeks leading up to the rollout of the new routes.
Full details are at www.busit.co.nz
