A community shuttle trial is set to launch on Wednesday September 28 connecting Wānaka, Albert Town, Hāwea and Hāwea Flat. 

The shuttle will run Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays for three months, servicing 13 bus stops between the Wānaka CBD, Wānaka Lakes Health Centre, Three Parks, Albert Town, Lake Hāwea and Hāwea Flat, for $2 per ride. 

The initiative has been developed by Community Networks/LINK and will be delivered by local transport provider Yello! (Wānaka Transport Group).

“In recent years, the issue of public transport has been raised by young people, commuters, older people, and other residents – people who are seeking more affordable transport options or wanting to reduce their carbon footprint through shared transport,” Community Networks/LINK manager Kathy Dedo said. 

“Over the past 12 months, we have carried out extensive research and preparation for what we hope will be just the beginning of public transport in the Upper Clutha.”

The Community Shuttle vehicle is a 13 seater Mercedes Sprinter with a wheelchair hoist, space for larger luggage items and a bike rack on the back – all features that Community Networks/LINK’s market research indicated were important features for the community. 

Yello! owner and operator Ramash Swamy said the company was thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the trial.

“We are committed to working with community organisations such as Community Networks/LINK to achieve local climate change initiatives and transport solutions.”

Anyone will be able to book a ride on the shuttle, but the timetable has been developed to meet the needs of three demographics in particular: seniors travelling to and from Wānaka during the day for appointments or shopping; youth travelling to connect with friends or attend extracurricular activities; and commuters in Hāwea and Albert Town wishing to use public transport to attend and return from work (based on a 9am - 5pm working day).

“We have had to make some tough decisions about when the shuttle will run and accept that it cannot be all things to all people,” Community Networks/LINK community development coordinator Joanna Perry said,” but this trial is as much about data collection as it is about providing a service – so, if the current service is not meeting your needs, tell us why.”

Community Networks/LINK and Yello! will collect customer feedback throughout the trial to inform longer-term public transport planning. 

“We are grateful to the representatives of QLDC, ORC, local businesses and individuals who have supported and advised us throughout this process, and to the Otago Community Trust for helping us fund it,” Joanna said. 

All are welcome to attend a ‘Bus Warming’ morning tea to celebrate the launch of the trial at the Wānaka Community Hub on Tuesday, September 27 at 10:30am.

For more information on the shuttle trial, visit the Community Networks/LINK website.

PHOTO: Supplied