Our Nelson Issue 171 – 7 June 2023

Before the road, they’re on the water
Our fleet of 17 new electric buses are on their way to New Zealand. 
Due to arrive in Aotearoa in the next month, they are now in the ocean between New Zealand and Australia. 
Once they arrive at Port Auckland, they will travel via truck to Nelson.
“Council staff have been working hard to bring new routes, timetables and fare structures to life. Changes that will make the service accessible to as many people in the region as possible”, says Group Infrastructure Manager Alec Louverdis.
Once the buses arrive they will need to be certified for use on NZ roads, retrofitted with smart equipment and wrapped in the new eBus livery.

Detailed bus routes and stops released 
Council is accepting submissions about proposed bus stop locations for the new bus service until 15 June. 
To provide Nelson Tasman’s new bus service there are some proposed changes to our routes and bus stop locations. For a detailed map visit: 
shape.nelson.govt.nz/ebus.
If a proposed bus stop is located near your home or business we will already have contacted you to see if you want to make a submission to the 16 June Hearings Panel where locations will be finalised.  
However, submissions are welcome from everyone in our community, so if you want to write in support of a bus stop location or to suggest a change, visit: 
shape.nelson.govt.nz/catching-ebus. 
The closing date for submissions was 6 June, but this has now been extended to 15 June. 
Some areas will see bus stops removed. Where this has happened, it is due to low patronage in this area.  
Routes have been changed so that buses travel through larger residential areas and to ensure we can provide a service every 30 minutes.

Founders book bonanza returns 
Founders Annual Book Fair is back for 2023, and a bounty of books awaits.  
The popular fair, expected to draw over 10,000 people, is on now and runs through to Sunday 11 June - with daily opening hours of 10am-4:30pm.
The fair is a fundraiser for projects at Founders Heritage Park, such as new displays and venue improvements. 
Book Fair Coordinator Susan Johnson says record lovers are in for a treat this year; a silent auction featuring 35 rare and collectable LPs will be held.   
A team of volunteers has worked for the past six weeks to organise thousands of donated books, puzzles, games, vinyl, DVDs, CDs and cassette tapes.   
“We sort donations into over 100 categories, which helps make the Book Fair more enjoyable, and somewhat unique from many other large book fairs. 
“It's an awesome event for the community, and an important fundraiser for Founders. 
What you’ll find:  
Returning by popular demand is a section of books about birds. These sold out quickly last year, and there are plenty more on offer this year.  
For pottery fans there's a large number of pottery books ready to inspire. 
If your thoughts have turned to travel, there are numerous travel guides. 
And plenty of children’s books, jigsaws, games, and foreign language books. 
Don’t forget... 
We will have bags available, but recycling and sustainability are a big part of this event so please remember to bring your reusable bags.  
Entry costs $2 per person, children under 12 are free.
Bus patronage up as new service rounds the corner 
March 2023 saw record patronage on Nelson Tasman’s bus network, with 49,211 bus journeys taken by people over the age of five, a 20% increase on pre-Covid levels. 
“This is the highest number of people since we started collecting data and demonstrates rising demand for public transport in Nelson, at a time when we are making a considerable increase to capacity,” says Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis. 
Nelson Tasman’s expanded bus service will launch on 1 August. It includes: 
Electric buses offering a smoother, quieter, more sustainable ride.  
A flat $2 fare for Bee Card users, making travel even better value (cheaper on a concession).  
Buses every half hour on a new set of urban routes (routes 1-4 between Nelson and Richmond), ending long wait times.  
Express services to Richmond, Nelson Hospital and Nelson from Wakefield and Motueka making buses an option for thousands more people.  
Rationalised routes mean less changing – for instance travelling from Atawhai to the hospital used to involve two buses, it’s now just one.  
Free wifi, so commuters can start work early and get home earlier or watch something on a device to relax. 
An increase in those who live within a ten-minute walk of a bus stop from 35,200 to 57,100. 
Improved real-time tracking on phones and major bus stops. 
“We currently carry around 480,000 passengers per year and anticipate the new service will lift that number to around 750,000,” says Louverdis. 
“The last time our service was upgraded was in 2012, when Routes 1 and 2 were brought into the contracted network. We saw a 40% increase in patronage over three years, and only a 5% increase in population. The upgrade we are launching on 1 August is of a similar if not larger scale.” 
Patronage in April is 4% up on pre-Covid levels. However, April is always a low month due to the Easter holidays and there were also high levels of rainfall, where people are more likely to use their cars. 
“It’s hard to pinpoint why we are seeing this increase, but we can make educated guesses,” says Louverdis. “We know petrol prices are high, and that many people in Nelson are affected by the cost-of-living crisis. Whatever the reason someone is choosing to take the bus, it’s important we provide them with the best service possible.” 
In a survey prepared for Nelson City Council’s last Regional Public Transport Plan (2021-31), people were asked what changes would make public transport more convenient. The overwhelming request was for changed routes and timetables.  
“I expect there’s a growing number of people who are mixing up the way they travel around,” says Louverdis. “Those people want to see more regular buses, that go to more places.  
“Transport is all about choice and we are trying to make our bus service as convenient, sustainable, and cheap as possible so people feel they are able to choose it more often.” 
“We want to dispel the view that travelling by bus is an inferior option and make it a normal part of everyday life. Providing people with a service that is good value, more regular, and closer to their doorstep is a big part of that. “
Crafts, groceries and a bargain: St Vincent Street businesses open!
For the next several months, the traffic plan in place on St Vincent Street will remain, including a full road closure at the Hastings Street intersection. 
Crafters, cake makers or those who want new sheets can still access Spotlight through their Hastings Street entry via Washington Road, follow on-road signage for directions. 
Access to and from The Warehouse and Countdown retail stores is restricted, but you can still access the store through St Vincent Street. Alternatively, they can both be accessed through Vanguard Street. 
Work so far has involved installing and moving existing power cables to allow the new stormwater pipes to be installed underneath. 
This work will improve stormwater infrastructure so the area can better manage the impact of more frequent heavy rain and future housing development.
The bus stop on St Vincent Street between The Warehouse and Countdown is closed with a detour in place for Route 5 via Vanguard Street. The temporary stop will be opposite New World.

Meetings
The following meetings of the 
Nelson City Council have been scheduled. 
Council
9am	8 Jun
Hearing Panel
9am	16 Jun
Council
9am	22 Jun
Council - to hear submissions to Traffic and Parking Bylaw (if required)
1pm	23 Jun