Bus commuters needed for Remuera Rider

Remuera residents have a hip reason to catch the bus with the introduction of metallic purple buses into town.

Stagecoach has introduced the "Remuera Rider" purple bus service to increase patronage on route 625 from Glen Innes via Meadowbank, Remuera Rd, Newmarket, Khyber Pass Rd and Symonds St to the downtown bus terminal.

Marketing manager Russell Turnbull said the Remuera Rider followed the successful Link Bus Service.

He said the number of passengers using buses along Remuera Rd had increased from 5000 to 6000 a week since June when the 625 service went from running every hour to every 15 minutes on weekdays. Another 1000 passengers were wanted.

The service was also being used as a trial to mimic train services by naming each of the 40 stops along the route.