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The service replaces the previous route 51 which ran from Pyes Pā to Tauranga Crossing.
The program, which will run for 18 months in the suburbs of Greerton, Gate Pā, Parkvale, Pyes Pā, Lakes and Tauriko, has so far seen about 8350 pickups and more than 2600 people create OnDemand app accounts.
About 92% of passengers rated the service 5 out of 5 stars.
Ollie Haycock, the council’s head of public transport, said feedback showed passengers felt the service “made their journeys more spontaneous, offering flexibility and convenience compared to traditional fixed-route services”.
One passenger commented: “My wife and I have used this service many times, especially the electric vans we trialled in South Tauranga. It makes our trips to the Lake District and the hospital so much easier and is very convenient. It takes one or two rides to get used to using the app but once you do it works great.”
Other feedback included a passenger with a spinal injury who said: “I now have my life back thanks to this fantastic service! I have newfound freedom and I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“In addition, we frequently receive feedback from people asking when the service will be available in their area, which shows that people care deeply about how on-demand services can become part of our region’s overall transportation system toolkit,” Haycock said.
When the trial comes to an end, the service will be reviewed by district councillors and, if successful, rolled out to other parts of the city.
Haycock said that while the on-demand service is popular compared to the previous Route 51, it covers a different area and provides a different type of service.
“On-demand services offer wider coverage and flexibility, allowing for dynamic routing based on real-time demand, unlike fixed-route services which operate to set schedules and routes.”
Andrew von Dadelszen, chairman of the city council’s public transport committee, said the service had seen a significant increase in popularity in its first three months.
“Route 51 has only a few hundred passengers a month, 350 at most… If you take the average of the first three months of the on-demand service, it would not have reached 800 passengers. This service has already received 4,600 passengers in three months.
“I think it’s exciting. I hope it stays, but we haven’t seen the financials yet.”
Von Dudelsen said the potential cost of the service could be a trap. For now, he wants to replace large buses with smaller electric ones.
He believes these vehicles can reduce the burden on roads that are not suitable for heavy electric buses and create more jobs by increasing the number of drivers.
“I’m sure that’s the way to go. We have more drivers and more labor costs than running a big empty fleet, but the cost is much lower, isn’t it?”
Earlier, bus passengers told Bay of Plenty Times They would be keen to use the on-demand service if it expanded beyond the pilot in south Tauranga.
Toi Ōhomai student Taylor Louw said previously, buses had to arrive at each stop before a set time.
“When we go to Toi Ōhomai we go through Greerton and it can take a minute or two for people to get on and off the bus.”
She prefers more direct transportation options, such as on-demand buses. “That way, it doesn’t matter if I get up early or miss the bus.”
Similar trials have been carried out in Timaru and Hawke’s Bay, with significant increases in patronage.
Environment Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council have since been exploring ways to expand their services.
Service Details
- Operating south of Tauranga including Gate Pā, Greerton, Parkvale, Pyes Pā, Tauriko and Lakes.
- Available daily from 6am to 7pm (except Good Friday and Christmas Day).
- Bookings can be made through the dedicated app Baybus OnDemand, by calling 0800 4 BAYBUS (0800 4 229 287), or in person at participating Book on Behalf organisations or businesses.
- The standard fare is $3.40, which is reduced to $2.72 with a Bee Card (follows the Baybus fare structure). Baybus offers concessions and transfers.
- Pay with credit/debit card or Bee Card through the app (no cash).
How it works
1. Let Baybus know where you want to go and whenBaybus OnDemand does not have a fixed route or timetable. Instead, it has flexible pick-up and drop-off locations, usually within 150 meters of your location. Currently, people can complete their journey on a connecting regular bus (within 30 minutes) for free if they need to.
2. Book your trip. You can book your trip as soon as possible or up to seven days in advance.
3. Arrive at the pickup location. To ensure a smooth journey for everyone, you must be at the pickup point before the vehicle arrives.
4. Pay using the app or Bee Card. At the start and end of your journey, hold your Bee Card over the vehicle’s card reader. App payments will be processed automatically.
Kiri Gillespie focuses on local politics and urban issues. She is a finalist for the 2021 Voyager Media Awards Regional Journalist of the Year.
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