Our Reference:A1237729
6 May 2019
Matt B
Email: mailto:[FYI request #10188 email]
Dear Matt,
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) Request
We refer to your information request dated 23 April 2019. A copy of your request is set
out below:
Numerous reports have identified a direct bus between Queenstown and Lake Hayes
Estate/Shotover Country is a necessary service to help manage traffic congestion on
SH6 & 6A. It has also been widely expressed by the community and it's representatives
how important this service is.
http://www.scene.co.nz/queenstown-news/boult-pushes-for-bus-ramp-up/
This service was suggested to ORC when it requested feedback before bus routes were
implemented and after the routes were put in place. It is simple to implement and
achieves your policy statement for transport that promotes and encourages the
sustainable management of Otago’s transport network through:
• Promoting the use of fuel efficient modes of transport • Encouraging a reduction in the
use of fuels which produce emissions harmful to the environment • Promoting a safer
transport system • Promoting the protection of transport infrastructure from the adverse
effects of land use activities and natural hazards.
Please identify what plans are in place to get this service running, what constraints have
prevented this from already being implemented and by what date ORC will get this
service operational?
I have been informed of the following in response to your questions:
The Otago Regional Council has heard really clearly that Lake Hayes Estate and
Shotover Country residents would like to be able to access Queenstown without
transferring between services at the Frankton Hub. Our transport team have been
investigating how we can best address this.
In discussion with the operator, we’re working through the potential for a direct feeder
service on this corridor during the morning and afternoon peak. The current service, with
its transfer point at the Frankton Hub, would continue – with additional services that
would specifically service the Lake Hayes Estate/Shotover Country – Queenstown
corridor (instead of running to Jack’s Point). These more direct services would still run
via the hub, with the potential to pick up additional passengers there, but wouldn’t
necessitate a transfer at that point. A key advantage to this approach is that it would also
add some needed overall capacity to this corridor. While it wouldn’t be an ‘express’
service in that it would still service bus stops and the hub along the way, it would provide
a much more direct connection for Shotover Country/Lake Hayes Estate residents to
Queenstown.
Once we have a way forward, we will present a solution to council in the coming months.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you have any queries concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
James Gribble
Administration Officer- Legal
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