Tweaks coming for Palmy bus network

Small changes to Aotearoa New Zealand’s first fully electric bus network will expand coverage, improve driver conditions and create more reliable timings.

Horizons Regional Council manager transport services Mark Read says patronage in Papaioea Palmerston North and Otangaki Ashhurst has increased by about 40% since the new network rolled out in March 2024. 
 
“It is clear the fast, frequent and direct lines across the city are helping more people connect to the places they want and need to get to. Generally, the network is working well, with patronage growing and expected to continue increasing over time,” says Mr Read.
 
“However, a network cannot be fully physically tested before it goes live. That’s why we committed to monitor the new network and make changes as we collected patronage and timing data.”
 
The changes, which will be active from 1 March 2025, are:

  • The 102 and 106 lines will both start and end on Maxwells Line closer to Rangitāne Park. 
  • The 103 will start and end in Hokowhitu on Albert St closer to the Hokowhitu Village Centre, creating a new bus stop.
  • The 104 in Highbury will start and end outside Arvida Olive Tree retirement village on Dalwood Grove, using the existing shelter.
  • The 104 from Highbury towards the city centre will travel along Dalwood Grove towards Clarke Ave, then turn right onto Clarke Ave before travelling the same route it does now. 
  • The 107 towards Westbrook will now turn left off of Tremaine Ave onto Highbury Ave, then right onto Havelock Ave. The line will stop outside Bill Brown Park. The bus will layover briefly before beginning the 107 to Terrace End. Passengers can remain on board during the layover and will not need to transfer buses when continuing to Amberley Ave.
  • The 107 towards Terrace End will start outside Bill Brown Park, travel along Havelock Ave, turn right onto Amberley Ave, then right onto Tremaine Ave before continuing as it currently does.
  • Peak frequency in the evening will go from 3pm-6pm to 3pm-5.45pm. 
 
The changes are primarily driven by a desire to improving driver conditions and timetable reliability, says Mr Read.
 
“Our bus drivers are one of the greatest parts of the network. We cannot deliver services without them, and we want to make sure they have good working conditions.
 
“Ensuring drivers have easy access to toilets is important. Many of the tweaks place the ends of lines closer to public toilets, making it easier for drivers to access facilities.
 
“Having toilets closer to the end of lines can also help to save time when a driver may have to otherwise drive to a toilet facility or stop mid-route. 
 
“Some of these tweaks have also improved coverage, such as for the 107 near Bill Brown Park.
 
“Passengers on board the 102 and 106 can also benefit from ‘in-seat transfers’ – where they can stay on board the bus at the end of one line to connect to the following line – as long as the driver is not going off duty. 
 
“These in-seat transfers will be programmed into journey planning tools such as the Transit app, helping people to make the quickest and most efficient trips possible.”
 
Moving the start and end point for the 103 Hokowhitu moves the end of the line away from the intersection with Ihaka St, giving a clearer view for traffic turning onto Albert St when buses are waiting to start their next run, says Mr Read.
 
“This change has the added benefit of putting a stop closer to the Hokowhitu Village Centre, giving people better access to those businesses and services. Currently, the closest bus stop to Hokowhitu Village Centre is about 250 metres away and uphill from the centre.”
 
The changes should also help to improve timing reliability, especially during peak hours when buses run every 15 minutes, says Mr Read.
 
“We know some services have run late during peak times. While the 15-minute frequency during peak hours means those delays are not especially long, having buses run as close to timetables as possible makes it easier for people to plan journeys.
 
“Shaving 15 minutes from the end of evening peak enables us to better plan and deploy buses throughout the network at its busiest time, helping to mitigate known timing issues without adding to running costs.
 
“Other changes, such as those for the 107 and 104, will also help to speed up trips.
 
“We will be working to update timetables, stop information and infrastructure between now and when the changes go live.
 
“We will continue to monitor the network after these tweaks, and may make further changes in the future. We are committed to having a network which is responsive to the needs of the community and fulfils our vision for public transport in Palmerston North: An accessible public transport network that provides competitive travel choices for all users to key destinations.
 
More information about the Palmerston North and Ashhurst network is available at https://www.horizons.govt.nz/buses-transport/palmerston-north-and-ashhurst-network.