“We need to get that transport system to where people can easily access it, make it available time-wise and run the buses frequently to areas of basic needs.
“We need to ensure the elderly can access public transport and return home comfortably.
“Often the elderly prefer to use taxis because they drop them right in front of the supermarkets, rather than the buses which take them to the centre of the town.” A map of the bus routes on the council's website shows stops on Gladstone Road near Pak'nSave and Countdown on the 1B (City-Elgin-City) and 2B (City-Elgin-Hospital-City) bus route. The map of the 2A bus route (City-Kaiti-Tamarau-City) shows two bus stops on Childers Road near Pak'nSave. Buses run hourly according to the website, which means that if someone misses their 7.45am 1A (City-Hospital-Te Hapara-City) bus they have to wait two hours for the next one to come along at 9.45am.
A lot of work needs to be done on the region's public transport system, Ms Toroa says.
“It will benefit our community, especially with rising fuel prices. A better transport system will encourage car users to switch to buses.
“In other cities, using buses is very convenient. We need to get it right in our region as well.”
Tairāwhiti Beneficiaries Trust advocate Shelley Hannah-Kingi says public transport needs better connectivity to the suburbs and buses need to run more frequently.
“At the moment it's not easy for people to hop on a bus, get into town and then get a bus home,” she says.
“Buses run at a certain time and are not as frequent as they used to be. We should definitely have more bus stops across suburbs.”
The council needs to consult with people on what times suit them best, she says.
“There was consultation on school buses a while ago but I think there needs to be another one on public transport.”
It is hard for anyone to be on time with the current bus timetable, Ms Hannah-Kingi says.
“When our office was in Kaiti I had to schedule people's appointments an-hour-and-a-half or two hours later so they could take the bus from the other side of town to get into town, and then catch another bus to get to the office.
“Then they do the same thing again to get back home.”
She also thinks public transport should be subsidised “because many beneficiaries cannot afford public transport”.
“Other cities have free bus fares at certain times of the day to go into town.”
Aotearoa Collective for Public Transport Equity has started a petition called Free Fares, demanding free public transport for Community Service Card holders, tertiary students and under-25s. So far 13,171 people have signed it.
Spokesperson Mika Harvel says it is not just about the Government making public transport free. It is also about investing to ensure there is equitable access to public transport in all regions.
“Gisborne has a similar public transport issue to Nelson where there are three or four bus routes and if you miss a bus you have to wait an hour or two to catch another. “In these regions, there needs to be more investment from the Government to improve the public transport infrastructure, along with free fares.
“Free fares are not a solution which will magically fix all our problems. It needs to go hand in hand with investment — more buses, bus stops and routes.”
The Government introduced a fuel tax cut of 25 cents a litre for the next three months to ease pressure at the pumps.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently said the Government was making it cheaper to catch a bus or a train.
“In the long term we need to build greater resilience into our transport system so we are less vulnerable to spikes in the price of petrol, but for now halving the cost of public transport will provide some families with an alternative to filling up the tank,” she said.
Transport Minister Michael Wood said the Government was investing $209 million into Gisborne's land transport system over the next three years.
That included improving the region's public transport network, walking and cycling options and addressing road safety.
In September last year, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency announced a record $24.3 billion investment in the country's land transport system as part of Ngā Kaupapa Huarahi o Aotearoa 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). The agency said in that NLTP, it was investing $3 million to maintain and develop Gisborne city's public transport network, with funding for an improved ticketing system and a strategic review of the city's public transport system.
Gisborne District Council journeys infrastructure manager Dave Hadfield said the Council was required by the government to review its public transport services to determine if it was fit for purpose every three years.
The Council had engaged with Abley, a New Zealand-owned company which specialises in transport planning.
“Abley will review our public transport network to see what improvements can be done here to increase patronage and accessibility within our community.
“The review is in its initial stages of information gathering before engaging with stakeholders to help make final recommendations for the Regional Transport Committee to consider.”
