Yesterday, the council’s public and active transport committee approved a priority list of 10 bus stops across the city to be upgraded after an audit of Dunedin’s 853 stops last year.
In a statement, committee co-chairman Andrew Noone said investment was carefully considered to ensure user safety and good value for money.
"We considered improvements that are needed such as adding new shelters, seats, yellow painted lines to indicate the bus stop, lighting and adjusting kerb height."
The priority list considered the patronage and nearby key destinations of each stop, and their level of deficiency relative to government guidelines.
The council had a $520,000 budget for new bus stop infrastructure and $297,000 for improving existing stops, which was 51% co-funded by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Planning and transport general manger Anita Dawe said the stop at 151 Princes St was the top priority for investment — an average of 180 passengers used it daily.
The stops at the Gordon Rd clocktower and Knox Church garden in George St rounded out the council’s top three priorities.
The initial priority list would be used to further develop an implementation plan and the council would work with stakeholders, including the Dunedin City Council, to make improvements at the most appropriate time, she said.
"In practice, this means the order may change and some additional improvements may be made at the same time."
The regional council would work with key stakeholders, which included disability groups and bus operators, before beginning work.
The audit, carried out by the regional and city councils, looked at shelter and street lighting, seating, kerb height, footpaths and crossing connections, timetable and bus stop signs, rubbish bins and public art such as murals.
It found most stops were 50% to 70% compliant with transport agency guidelines. — Allied Media
