Hearings on the ORC’s plan for the next 10 years of public transport investment began yesterday.
The panel of Crs Andrew Noone (chairman), Kate Wilson and Elliot Weir heard a range of submissions on the plan.
The Otago regional public transport plan 2025-35 is a strategic document that guides the council’s design and delivery of public transport services, information and infrastructure.
Speaking in support of the Dunedin City Council’s submission, Mr Radich said the council was eager to help increase bus patronage.
"One of the ways we have suggested in the past is ... having a half-sized electric bus round the inner city.
The bus would be a "very attractive" option for people, including students and tourists, travelling around the city at non-peak hours.
"They’d be more nippy and they’d be able to negotiate city streets a bit more quickly.
"They may not cost much less to purchase, but I think they’d be very welcoming to people wanting to use public transport," Mr Radich said.
A trial loop bus was run in 2009, but axed following poor passenger numbers.
A 2020 study, jointly funded by the city and regional councils, found a city centre loop bus could cost more than $1 million a year to run and had a track record of failure elsewhere in New Zealand.
Mr Radich said the relationship between the councils had improved in recent years, particularly on matters concerning public transport.
He asked for an overall network review to assess demand, commuters services between Oamaru and Balclutha, a Dunedin Airport service and more bus services options for the Edgar Centre to be considered in the plan.
He also asked for improved service options between central Dunedin and the northern coast. However, in a written report, regional council staff said "we are not currently in a position to commit to service improvements in these areas but they will be considered in the future".
The hearings continue today.
