Thank you to everyone who provided input on the Eastern Bay bus review. We heard from 176 people, most of them regular users, including direct feedback from passengers we talked to on buses and at bus stops.

You told us Saturday services matter, smaller towns need to stay connected, and buses should be reliable and fit for purpose.

Based on what we heard, we are recommending:

• Saturday services stay in place on key routes

• Links for towns like Pukehina, Matatā, Tāneatua, and Waimana are retained

• Timetables are updated and vehicles right-sized where needed

We also heard calls for a service to Coastlands. While this is likely not possible in the short term due to cost and practical limits, we will look to include it in our planning for the future.

These are recommendations that will now be carried into detailed design and new operating contract, which is expected to begin in late 2026. We’ll also keep working with local district councils on bus stop facilities and safety as part of wider improvements.