Bus passenger numbers down

Bus-passenger numbers in Dunedin have fallen in the past year.

In March last year, about 170,000 trips were taken, well up on the corresponding month in 2008 (130,000), a report on the patronage trends for Otago Regional Council contracted bus services said.

But by April, numbers had dropped to about 130,000.

Trip numbers throughout the year were about 20,000 less than for the corresponding time the previous year, to a low of about 110,000 in December.

The report, considered at the policy and resource planning committee last week, said part of the month-to-month variation was due to holidays, when patronage declined, and the time of year.

With the exception of one month, fare revenue for each month in 2009 exceeded that of the comparative month for 2008.

Fares were increased in July 2008.

The results meant the fare-box recovery was just above the target of 50% set by council in the regional passenger transport plan.

Committee chairman Michael Deaker said the fare increase in July did not seem to immediately impact on patronage.

A graphic in the report showed bus-passenger trips each month remained at the 150,000 mark until October, when they dropped to about 130,000.

Cr Bryan Scott said a significant investment had been made in services but the time would come when routes needed to be assessed.

"If, on a particular route, people are not fronting up, then we need to review it. Use it or lose it."

At some stage reality had to kick in but in the meantime the council needed to continue to refine services, he said.

Tenders for the new timetables on southern bus routes close at the end of the month.

Twenty-nine people submitted on the proposed new timetables and as a result service details for Brighton, Green Island and Mosgiel were fine-tuned, a report to the policy and resource planning committee said.

The new contract will begin on July 1.

rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz