A "critical" volunteer-run community shuttle service that operates from Oamaru to Palmerston and Dunedin has been extended by a further six months and will now run until the end of September.
The Otago Regional Council voted to extend the trial service, originally due to last six months, and further fund it to the tune of $25,000.
In the trial’s first four months, 210 people made 136 trips, with direct services to Dunedin or connecting services to the Orbus network in Palmerston available three days a week.
And the council will be looking at a "long-term solution" to a public transport problem between Oamaru and Dunedin, the council said in a statement.
The service was a bid to improve transport access in "areas where traditional public transport is not feasible", the statement said.
Cr Kevin Malcolm, deputy chairman of the ORC, said: "It’s critical to have this service and we have to recognise those in the community that need this assistance."
Meanwhile, the council’s transport portfolio co-lead Cr Alan Somerville said: "Now that this trial has started, it’s important it is continued until we come up with a permanent solution.
"Later this year, the council will look at a long-term solution to public transport between Dunedin and Oamaru."
Cr Somerville said the council had heard from two speakers during a public forum "about how valuable this is for individual community members and that patronage is growing".
He added he felt it was "worthwhile" for the council to support the extension of the trial.
Cr Somerville said the trial would not have been possible without the support of the Oamaru Community Shuttle Steering Group organising volunteer drivers, with more than 1300 hours volunteered so far.
There would be a full evaluation of the trial presented to the council later this year.
The shuttle service is separate to the Waka Ora Health Shuttle operated by Oamaru St John which also runs between Oamaru and Dunedin.
