Coast Rd bus service trial ruled out after council test

Bryan Scott
Bryan Scott
The trial of a bus service along Coast Rd between Karitane and Evansdale has been ruled out by the Otago Regional Council.

The council had committed to investigate, with the bus contractor, the possibility of running a bus service through that area after a request was made by Liz Abbott and Rudie Verhoef at annual plan hearings in May.

They asked for the bus service to be rerouted from State Highway 1 along Coast Rd past Seacliff and Warrington to service the 200 households in the district, believing it would add only one or two minutes to the trip to Palmerston.

Corporate services director Wayne Scott said in a report to the finance and corporate services meeting last week, the bus contractor was very positive about the idea and a trial run along the suggested route was undertaken by the contractor, with council staff on board.

They reported Coast Rd was extremely winding, in poor condition with uneven surfaces and narrow corners and using it would add an extra 17 minutes to each trip, increasing running costs.

Gearing issues caused by the rail crossings meant a heavier bus would be required, he said.

"Additionally, the road conditions would likely cause some bus passengers to feel travel-sick, and would increase the risk of accident and maintenance."

Cr Bryan Scott said the report highlighted the negatives and did not cover the cost implications of a trial.

"I'd like to know more about it - the costs and benefits - before we dismiss it for the next 10 years."

Mr Scott said there were other issues to consider as well, including the threat to the Ministry of Education free school bus service, and that the area was not rated for public transport.

Chairman Stephen Woodhead said the residents had the option of using public transport from Evansdale or the former Cherry Farm site and the council's decision not to go ahead with the trial should be communicated directly to the submitters.

Cr Gerry Eckhoff said it could be an opportunity for a private operator to run a "feeder service" to those stops, which would eliminate the problem.

Cr Gretchen Robertson said some Otago towns did not have a public bus service at all.

The proposed service would be on a hazardous road and require other people to take a longer trip than they might like.

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