An express bus service from Te Puke to Tauranga will start February 27 to cater for an increased demand for public transport between the two areas.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council Public Transport Committee approved adding a new express service to Route 221, after hearing some passengers had been unable to board the 7.45am and 5.40pm bus due to overloading.
The Regional Council's transport policy manager Garry Maloney said the express service would travel direct from Te Puke to Tauranga return offering an additional morning and afternoon travel option for Te Puke residents.
The costs for the additional services will be met in the current budget by reallocating a bus from an under patronised service to run the two new Te Puke express services, he said.
Mr Maloney said a large number of passengers using Route 221 are tertiary students studying in Tauranga, but living in Te Puke. The new services would continue through to the start of the new Bayhopper contracts in mid 2018.