Horizons presents options for enhancing Whanganui bus services

Published on 01 April 2025

Horizons Regional Council media release

Horizons Regional Council has presented three options for improvements to the Whanganui urban bus network and is asking the community to share their thoughts on them between 31 March and 1 May 2025.

"We're looking at how we can improve routes, schedules and services to better connect the community and support the city's growth," says Horizons manager transport services Mark Read.

"Each of the three options takes a slightly different approach to improvements, but we've designed all three to bring about significant and positive changes for Whanganui.

"Option 1A - 'More Frequency' - would see three routes like Te Ngaru The Tide operating across the city every 20 minutes and two routes running hourly. Option 1B - 'More Coverage' - would see two routes operating every 20 minutes and four routes running hourly. These options would also see services extended into some areas not currently covered, like Pūtiki, and would replace existing school services due to the increased connectivity," says Mr Read.

"Option 2 - 'Network Refresh' - would see an extended Te Ngaru The Tide route running every 20 minutes and four hourly routes across the rest of the city. This option only covers the current network, so there would be no extensions into areas like Pūtiki, and it would maintain the existing school services," he says.

"Regardless of the network changes we settle on, there are some things we think should happen no matter what, including:

• Buses operate seven days a week.
• Services run at least hourly through the day across the city.
• Te Ngaru The Tide route extends to Aromoho Cemetery or nearby."

While Option 2 could be implemented using the existing public transport budget, Options 1A and 1B are only viable if Horizons Regional Council approves further funding.

Council initially included further funding in year two of its Long-term Plan 2024-34, based on the provision of like-for-like funding from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Despite NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's decision in 2024 to no longer financially support new public transport initiatives in the Region, Council subsequently signalled a desire later that year to include $400,000 for Whanganui passenger transport improvements in 2025-26.

"During the Long-term Plan process in 2024, the Whanganui community were very vocal about their desire for further passenger transport funding locally," says Horizons Regional Council chair Rachel Keedwell.

"We listened and indicated that we would like to provide an increased level of service for passenger transport in Whanganui, with or without NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's support," says Cr Keedwell.

Despite their indication of support, the funding still requires a change to Council's Long-term Plan through this year's Annual Plan process. As part of this process, people can provide feedback specifically on the matter during the Annual Plan consultation period, which runs concurrently with the Whanganui network review consultation.

Horizons has been working closely with Whanganui District Council on the network review through the joint Whanganui Public Transport Governance Group. District Councillor Charlotte Melser sits on the group and says community input is crucial in the process.

"Getting around Whanganui should be easy, convenient, and work for everyone. We want to hear from people whether they catch the bus daily, occasionally, and even if they don't currently use it at all," says Cr Melser.

"From now until 1 May, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the proposed options to improve the network. These include a number of events and drop-in sessions across the city throughout the consultation period," she says.

Mr Read notes that any changes to the network will take time to be implemented.

"We need to use the feedback collected to settle on a network design, which we'll then present to the community for a final check," he says.

"After that, we must agree on a contract variation with our operator, who will need time to organise their drivers and buses to meet the new requirements. Changes are likely to come into effect in mid-2026."

People have until Thursday 1 May to give feedback on the proposed Whanganui network options, and the question of funding the improvements through the Annual Plan. Both consultation sites can be found here. 

More information about public transport in the Horizons Region is available here or follow Connect - Horizons Regional Transport on Instagram and Facebook.