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. “