Survey on bus service between Whanganui and Palmerston North

Published on 12 December 2014

Public feedback on the possibility of a bus service between Whanganui and Palmerston North, run by Horizons Regional Council, is being sought.

Horizons has organised a survey, available online and in print, which asks the Whanganui community what they think about a potential service.

Wanganui District Councillor Jack Bullock and Horizons Regional Councillor Rod Pearce discussed the idea at a Passenger Transport Committee meeting in August.

Cr Bullock says he is pleased Horizons is asking people what they think about the service as he believes it could benefit lots of people.

“I know the service could be helpful to people who commute for work, as well as those who have friends and family in Palmerston North. There are also people who don’t have a car who would benefit from the service.

“It would be great to be able to have a regular bus service which could help unite our two communities so people from each centre could access some of the things our neighbours have to offer.”

Horizons transport manager Phil Hindrup says if the idea is popular it could lead to a trial service.

“At this stage we want to know what the community thinks; whether a bus between Whanganui and Palmerston North would be well utilised, when it would need to run and how much people would be willing to pay.

“We will review and present the community feedback to our Passenger Transport Committee in the New Year.”

The survey is available as an online form on www.wanganui.govt.nz/bussurvey.

Hard copies are available at the Customer Services counter at the Wanganui District Council.  The survey was also distributed through the River City Press on Thursday, December 4, with a prepaid stamp attached.

The deadline for the survey is 20 January 2015.