Gore district councillors will be briefed next month on a proposal that could result in a public transport link between Mataura and Gore.
A feasibility study is in its final stages and its author, public transport consultant Russell Turnbull, will present his draft findings at a council committee meeting.
The idea of a public transport service between the towns, 13km apart, was first suggested by the Mataura Community Board which believed it could also benefit the wider district.
In a brief report to go to next week's council meeting, roading manager Murray Hasler said an attempt was made using school buses but users would have had to pay the full cost of that service "which, in the end, proved to be prohibitive to those most likely to use the service and it did not last long".
At that time, little was known about potential funding contributions but the council now knew more and it appeared a subsidised link, if possible, was much more likely to be successful.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has agreed to pay 75% of the $13,438 cost of the feasibility study.
