Denis Mander
The Queenstown Lakes District Council wants to improve
transport options for travellers through a route-planning
internet tool.
Council infrastructure strategy manager Denis Mander said the
council was seeking a professional service provider to
provide a user-friendly internet tool to inform travellers
about walking, cycling and public transport options in the
district.
Users would choose a start and end point, and the website
would create a detailed travel itinerary taking in public
transport, walking and cycling options.
The website would supply maps with directions, including
nearest bus stops and walking/cycling routes.
The itineraries would outline journey time, distance and
difficulty of the route.
Mr Mander said the web-based tool was part of the council's
travel awareness and travel behaviour change programmes.
The Otago Regional Council intended to improve bus services
in the Wakatipu from July this year.
"A key part of this is ensuring people get good information
about bus, walking and cycling transport options within the
district," he said.
The Wellington Regional Council had a similar website in
operation.
"We are looking at a web-based tool as a viable option for
Queenstown.
"We are taking the idea to the market to see if it is
feasible in a district our size," Mr Mander said.
He estimated the council would have to spend up to $15,000
for set-up costs.
Providers were invited to submit a tender to the council,
outlining relevant experience and budgets, including ongoing
costs of maintaining the service.
Mr Mander said the service could also be expanded to include
the itineraries to be sent to travellers' cellphones by text
message.
The service would allow ratepayers and tourists to have more
awareness of public transport, walking and cycling travel
options.
It would encourage people to use sustainable modes of
transport and, hopefully, reduce traffic congestion in the
resort, he said.
The deadline for interested providers is Wednesday, March 3.
Once a preferred provider was chosen, the proposal would go
to councillors for approval.
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