The Otago Regional Council will vote next week on whether to approve the service, which would replace a successful community shuttle.
New operator Go Bus is due to start running the Route 1 Palmerston to Dunedin service on October 1, which would then be extended to Oamaru at a cost of $100,000 a year, a report prepared for Wednesday’s meeting read.
Only about 31 adult fares a day — at a proposed $10 one-way ticket — would be required to recoup the ‘‘very competitive’’ cost of the service, which was lower as an extra bus was not required, the report said.
Despite being expected to generate good fare revenue, the service would initially need to be funded by general rates due to it being ineligible for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi co-funding mid funding cycle.
Hundreds indicated they would use the service daily or a few times a week, in community feedback received.
The Route 1 extension was recommended by ORC staff as it would provide a ‘‘daily vital public transport link’’ for those living in Oamaru and towns north of Palmerston, including Maheno and Hampden.
The service could offer long-awaited basic public transport within Oamaru twice a day, reliant on the council separately adopting different fare zones i.e. an Oamaru fare and an Oamaru to Dunedin fare.
‘‘This is a significant improvement in regional connectivity and is exceptionally good value for money.’’
The service would provisionally depart from North Oamaru, going via Eden St and South Hill, before leaving town if fare zones were agreed.
Weekends would include diversions to Karitane and Warrington.
ORC and Waitaki District Council staff are working on finalising routes and bus stop locations in Oamaru.
The proposed service would follow on from a successful community shuttle trial, given $50,000 of ORC funding, which is due to end on September 30.
Oamaru Community Shuttle Steering Group founder Trevor Goodin said he hoped the daily public service would be given the go-ahead.
‘‘For the community, I hope that is what comes about.’’
More than 2500 volunteer hours helped keep the shuttle running in its first seven months of operation and hundreds of passengers were transported, with passenger numbers increasing month-on-month.
A report including passenger feedback gathered by the steering group and the results of a survey from ORC will also go before regional councillors next week.
Extremely high levels of satisfaction and support were recorded for the shuttle service and a regular connection between Oamaru and Dunedin was identified as ‘‘vital’’.
‘‘The community shuttle is more than just transport; it is vital in reducing isolation, increasing independence and strengthening community connections.’’
There was ‘‘no appetite’’ to continue the trial beyond September and a belief from volunteers that the shuttle had served its purpose, the report stated.
The long distance between Oamaru and Dunedin meant the route was better suited to a subsidised service model.
The community trial being well-supported and appreciated by the public demonstrated the need for a public transport connection.
All of the Oamaru community shuttle’s services now run direct from Oamaru to Dunedin, following community feedback, Mr Goodin said.
The shuttle’s schedule has changed and it will operate three days a week: Monday, Thursday and Friday.
The booking number for the shuttle is 027214-4131.
Anyone interested in volunteering can also call this number.
The shuttle is also running a $5 one-way winter offer and koha is welcomed.
