'We can do buses better' - Tauranga councillor

John Robson wants the Tauranga City Council to take over running the city's bus network. Photo / John Borren

We can do it better.

That's the view of some Tauranga elected officials on who should be running the city's bus services.

The city and regional councils share responsibility for Tauranga's public transport.

Buses and the bus network are run by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, with the cost split roughly evenly between rates, fares and New Zealand Transport Agency funding.

Tauranga City Council, as the local roading authority, is responsible for infrastructure such as bus lanes, shelters and interchanges.

Mayor Greg Brownless says it would make sense for "one or t'other" to run the lot. He does not mind which but says Tauranga is the more logical choice.

Councillor John Robson agrees, and is calling for Tauranga to take the reins.

He says the regional council is taking in "a few million in rates and a few million in fares" to run buses.

"That money would not only be better spent but better managed by us. It would probably solve our debt-to-revenue ratio issue."

Lyall Thurston, regional councillor and chairman of the Public Transport Committee is dubious, saying Tauranga had "enough on its plate".

He is open to the discussion, however, as is fellow regional councillor and former Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby, who says sole charge would fit better with the city council.

"We should have an open conversation about it. I think both councils are up for it."