The Otago Regional Council said this week it would investigate a service between the city and airport early this year.
Bus Users Support Group Otepoti Dunedin co-president Alex King said it could ‘‘work really well’’ to take pressure off Mosgiel buses, which were often full at peak times.
They would be ‘‘going against the flow of traffic’’, meaning they could drop early business commuters off at the airport before picking up Mosgiel-to-city passengers on the way back.
‘‘I think it’s a great idea to have a bus service to the airport,’’ he said.
‘‘Most cities do.’’
Council transport manager Garry Maloney said yesterday the investigation was yet to be scoped, but would probably consider the elements of any new service.
These included cost and funding, fares, timings, routes and stops and engaging with interested parties such as Dunedin Airport.
‘‘Any new service that could result from the investigation would likely be on a trial basis, but we cannot say at this stage if or when it would begin,’’ he said.
Bus services to Mosgiel were ‘‘well patronised and often full’’.
The council provided additional buses for extra capacity during the school term last year, and that would resume this year.
‘‘Any changes we make to our public transport service are always considered within the wider network, because one route change can have flow-on effects in other areas,’’ he said.
‘‘While the investigation is yet to be scoped, one option that it will need to consider is how/if it connects to Mosgiel.’’
