The public bus service in Queenstown will be operated fully
commercially from March 16.
The Otago Regional Council introduced the public bus service
three years ago with the aim of it becoming a commercial
service.
Council corporate services director Wayne Scott said the
services run by Connectabus would become fully commercial in
March.
The successful outcome was due to significant capital
investment by contractor Connectabus, the regional council
and New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
''All credit to the contractor, he has the enthusiasm to meet
the target.''
The service had been subsidised by the council and NZTA for
the past two years.
Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said there was some
scepticism when the service was introduced at how successful
reaching the commercial goal would be, but the contractor had
proved those doubts wrong.
''It's fantastic. He's a very good operator.''
A new timetable would be distributed later this month and
come into effect on March 1 with services being operated on a
completely commercial basis from March 16.
Mr Scott said all areas being provided with services would
continue to have them, but on a timetable that was
commercially viable.
The operator rationalised the provision of services so
Arthurs Point would have two per day from Arrowtown.
The Otago Regional Council's only involvement would be
through the joint ticketing system. As part of the launch of
the services, a newly branded Go Card would be released for
the Wakatipu Basin. The Go Card could also be used in Dunedin
and Invercargill.
- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
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