News & Media Releases

Bus Lane for Harbour Link

27 September 2007

Transit New Zealand's Harbour Link Project includes a dedicated Bus Lane on Hewletts Rd to encourage more people out of cars and onto buses.

The dedicated Bus Lane can be used by buses, cyclists, motorcyclists and emergency vehicles. Cars can only use it for 50 metres when turning into or out of a driveway or side road, and drivers can be fined $150 if they drive or park in the Bus Lane. The lane will be painted later this month, and Tauranga and Mount Maunganui residents will shortly receive a brochure explaining how they work in their letterboxes.

The Bus Lane will be indicated by signs and will operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day and will be patrolled by trained Tauranga City Council Enforcement Officers and Police at any time.

Transit Harbour Link Project Manager Kevin Reid said the aim of introducing the Bus Lane is to make travelling by public transport quicker and more reliable than taking a car, as well as carrying more people in fewer vehicles.

"It is a move to future proof the city's transport network and encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport. We can move more people more quickly and efficiently, and eventually have fewer cars on the road."

Buses travelling to Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Rotorua and Whakatane and the Papamoa express buses will be using it, along with school buses and charter buses.

"We expect the number of buses to rise significantly in future as there is more development in Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke. We're investing in the future and making our transport system more sustainable long-term."

NEWS MEDIA: For further information, contact:
Kevin Reid
Transit's Harbour Link Project Manager
Ph 07 927 6008 or 021 2856512

www.smarttransport.org.nz

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