Chapter / Clause / Subclause – General 22 submitters - Waikato ...

Submission summary
Decision
Submitter: 18 Elphick, Carl
Matter: PTP11-18.2
Summary: Other issue that I feel needs considering is a Bus Service to Hamilton
Airport, presently the only form of public transport to the Airport is by Taxi or
Shuttle Service and given the distance the airport is out of Hamilton it is very
expensive. If Hamilton wants to promote Airport Use and tourism to the region I
feel one of the basics we need is a cost effective service from Hamilton and other
major Waikato towns. I note that Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as major
centres have Bus services to the airport.
Nakedbus offers fares starting at $1 so it can work out cheaper to bus to
Auckland Airport over Taxi/Shuttle to Hamilton Airport.
Submitter: 21 Arthur, Mike
Matter: PTP11-21.1
Summary: Provide some form of public transport between Matamata and
Hamilton.
No change required.
Comments noted.
The WRPTP notes the challenge of constrained funding and competing demands
and clear indication from NZTA as to capped funding at current levels. Given this,
providing additional services will need to be prioritised on greatest need at least
in the short term.
To ensure that the entire network works in an optimal manner and especially
given the lack of funding for new services a whole of network approach to
assessing demand and appropriate service provision is important. And therefore
it is suggested that provision of any new services, including service to the airport,
be assessed as part of the strategic network review which is an action in the
WRPTP. This review is intended to be started in the 2012/13 financial year.
No change required.
Comments noted.
Accept in part.
All of the existing funding from NZTA for public transport services is committed to
current services. NZTA have indicated that no additional funding will be available
for new public transport services in the 2012 to 2015 period. However, Council is
putting up a request for additional funding from the National Land Transport
Programme, for rural services through the Regional Land Transport Programme
(RLTP). If the funding request is approved Council will look at providing some
additional services in rural areas where it is most appropriate. Council will be
guided by the transport disadvantaged study as to where the areas of greatest
need are. Final approval on the RLTP is expected around August 2012.
Two things need to be noted in this regard – firstly that indications from NZTA
are that obtaining additional funding for new services will be difficult. Secondly,
the current funding policy requires that the local authority fund 50% of the cost of
any public transport service provided by Council. Therefore, the local Council
needs to approve and fund 50% of any public transport service provided to the
community.
In terms of process, funding requests will need to be routed through the Long
Term Plan processes of Matamata Piako District Council, Waikato Regional
Council and any other Council that is expected to share in providing funding.
Council will continue to work with MPDC and the community on investigating
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