Public Transport | Ngā waka tūmatanui

Bus and ferry services

Council's preferred programme of work includes:

• Delivery of all PT Futures network improvements over the next 7 years which includes:
  • making all core routes ten-minute frequencies or better by 2028, resulting in average wait times of 5 mins. Route 7 is the next frequency uplift planned for 2025.
  • additional direct services to the key centres in Waimakariri and Selwyn starting in Year 3*
  • a review of the connector and local services through a business case to be completed by mid-2026 and implementing the improvements identified through the business case by 2031, improving the level of service across the whole network.
• An additional Diamond Harbour ferry and refurbishment of the existing ferry
• Targeted ‘quick win’ improvements on the existing network responding to changes in demand, for example increasing capacity on crowded buses, small tweaks to routes or frequency to better service the community
• Enhanced safety improvements for customers and drivers
• Increased investment in tools and systems to improve reliability
• Continue to replace end-of-life diesel buses with new electric buses
• Explore opportunities:
  • to improve public transport access to and from the new stadium (Te Kaha)
  • for on-demand services in Greater Christchurch
  • over the longer-term including asset ownership, network planning, and funding.

Option 2 includes the same level of work but with a slower delivery over 10-20 years. Option 3 reduces some network improvements and removes decorbonisation of the fleet as a priority.

*The targeted public transport rate is paid by communities that predominantly benefit from the service improvement. For example, the improvements to the direct services for Waimakariri would be funded 100% by the district’s ratepayers, with the main funding source coming from the urban public transport targeted rate e.g., Rangiora Urban.

Enabling Total Mobility and support for Community Vehicle Trusts

Increase investment required for the Total Mobility scheme and maintain funding support for Community Vehicle Trusts.

• There is no difference between options in this area of work.

The level of investment for Year 1 is similar across the three options, but from Year 2 onwards the level of investment will increase significantly depending on the option chosen, as this is where we will see a significant increase in the level of service provided. For these high-level costings for Years 2 and 3, see the consultation document.

*For Timaru, the example provided is for a rural property and does not cover the cost of the urban Public Transport network. Timaru urban residents are encouraged to review further sample properties.

This is the impact for Public Transport. Make sure you look at each of the core services to determine the full impact on you.

Take a look at our rates calculator for a greater selection of sample properties, to get a better idea of what the cost could look like for you. You can find the breakdown between targeted and general rates in the consultation document.

Providing convenient, low-emissions public transport plays an important role in reducing transport emissions – the second-largest source of emissions in Waitaha/Canterbury. We are focused on reducing transport emissions and achieving our climate change outcomes through:

• Procuring only zero-emissions buses from 2025 in Options 1 and 2 to meet our target of decarbonising our fleet by 2035. This will be deprioritised under Option 3 and will take substantially longer to achieve.
• Improving the convenience and accessibility of the public transport network to increase mode share which helps reduce emissions from the transport network. This will take longer to achieve with Option 2 and 3.