Our local Councils are asking for feedback on plans that will shape the future of Tauranga…

We imagine a Tauranga that is easy, safe and fun for people to get around by foot, bike and public transport… and we know there are tons of other people out there who feel the same way.

We’re asking local Government to prioritise the following six ideas:

1. Get our transport agencies singing from the same song sheet and show us the vision.
2. Give us a modern, quick and really easy to use bus service!
3. Support the intercity train between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga.
4. Build our cycle network in ten years (not 30 years)
5. Fund the redesign of Cameron Road as an exemplar, multi-modal urban corridor.
6. Support a FREE school bus trial for the BOP region.

One minute submission to support Greater Tauranga

If you think any of these ideas sound like part of the future Tauranga you’d like to see, please take one minute and click the button below to add your support to Greater Tauranga’s submission.

1. Get our transport agencies singing from the same song sheet and show us the vision

We desperately need all agencies in the region to work together with community to solve our transport issues. These are exciting times! Driverless buses, cycleways, inland ports, big new suburbs, a fast train to Auckland… We need to be able to respond quickly to change, make the most of innovation opportunities and keep Tauranga moving. That means having a clear vision and revising our old model of governance and planning to be way more collaborative and flexible.

• We see our three councils, NZTA, the freight industry, Port of Tauranga and KiwiRail focussing largely on their own interests to the detriment of better solutions that create wins for all. A new model is required that includes community in the governance structure. A first step while this is being designed is to co-opt community representatives onto the existing transport committees.
• Technology and innovation are rapidly changing our transport system. Cities around the world are adopting more flexible and innovative approaches to keep pace with this. We see huge opportunity for small scale, low risk, low cost trials done in partnership with community to test effectiveness of solutions, where community is at the start of the process not the end.

2. Give us a modern, quick and easy-to-use bus service!

Buses are by far Tauranga’s best shot at moving masses of people around cheaply in high peak traffic and easing congestion for everyone, but they have to be a better and easier choice or it just won’t work. We believe TCC needs to double the funding on infrastructure over the next ten years to achieve a bus service that people of all ages and abilities want to ride.

To do this we believe there needs to be:

• Bold, deliberate investment in continuous bus lanes/bus priority measures on high frequency commuter routes.  We support Stage One: The proposed City Loop starting in December is a 15 minute service linking the Hospital, CBD, Mount and Bayfair. This service has potential to be an exemplar pilot project however the investment being made by Regional Council on increased bus frequency will not deliver a better service due to TCC’s lack of commitment to bus lanes/priority measures.
• A joined-up approach to determining the location of bus interchanges to facilitate fast and reliable bus movements, point to point service and transition from other modes (e.g. park and ride sites, the future CBD train station, walking and cycling routes and future housing density). We believe interchanges are NOT suited for local roads (e.g. Farm Street, Mount Maunganui) and that collaborative design between all agencies and community is key to the success of all modes.
• A 10% bus patronage target across ALL transport plans. 
Currently the patronage target for 2030 is 9.3% in the Tauranga Transport plan, but only 1.8% in the PT Blueprint. We believe this kind of misalignment sets the bus service up to fail. There needs to be a cross agency package of measures adopted to achieve a bold target of 10%: This includes more buses, innovative technology, better routes, parking measures, infrastructure improvements and marketing and engagement strategies for various communities.

3. We support the intercity train between Auckland / Hamilton / Tauranga

It’ll be SO good! Catch the train to downtown Auckland for the big game, the big concert, a weekend of shopping, a cheap flight out… no worries about Auckland traffic or finding a park! We need our Councils to actively support this and show the Government we are keen to move forward.

• We think BOP councils need to be much more proactive in supporting the Intercity Train Phase 1 Proposal – as put forward by the Labour Government. Waikato councils are strongly advocating for this, Auckland Council have included this as a key item in their new Auckland Plan, but Tauranga City and Regional Councils have been silent. The first phase is likely to be a trial of the old Silver Fern carriages to and from Papakura. Once new rail lines into Auckland are built, the next phase will take you from Tauranga to downtown Auckland in 2.5 hours. Beats sitting in Auckland traffic and finding somewhere to park your car!

4. Build our cycle network in ten years (not 30 years)

It’s happening world-wide and we need to be part of this cycling revolution, for the free-wheeling independence of our kids, for the potential e-bikes offer to commuters and our growing retired population. Investment in cycling gives us great bang for bucks and Tauranga is well on the way, we have a fantastic Cycle Action Plan in place but it will not be finished for 30 years unless we front load the funding to get it done.

• The Cycle Action Plan has been developed by TCC with the help of thousands of school kids, cyclists and would-be cyclists. We are confident that this plan has engaged our communities and will get many people onto bikes. We want the Cycle Action Plan to be funded so it is completed within ten years. That would take in ALL of our schools and connect safe separated pathways across the network.
• Cycling is innovating at a rapid pace, and e-bike sales are increasing exponentially (already 30% of all bike sales in some countries). Before long the price of these bikes will drop closer to conventional bike levels. These bikes remove the obstacle of ageing bodies, hills, wind and sweaty arrivals at a workplace. We need to move fast to create safe cycle infrastructure to support this technology as it is rapidly changing the profile of the cycling public.

5. Fund the redesign of Cameron Road so it operates as an exemplar, multi-modal urban corridor

Funding the redesign of Cameron Road – with walking, cycling and buses, as well as cars, will foster a dense, vibrant commercial/residential district that is not impeded by a constant need for carparking space. Developing a bold plan for this now will create certainty for the business community and enable a well functioning, future-fit city centre.

6. We support a FREE school bus trial for the Bay of Plenty region

This idea is worth a trial. Parents run their kids to school to get them there safely, but this adds to congestion on the roads and around schools. Until safe walking and cycling alternatives are in place free buses are a no-brainer, this is spending money to save money – removing the financial obstacles for families and incentivising the transport behaviours we need our future generation to support.

To be kept informed…

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