Key Takeaways
- The proposed bus network in Hawke’s Bay aims to create a simpler, more frequent, and reliable service.
- The network prioritizes a simple structure to support frequent services, with most routes running hourly in each direction.
- Route 1 will continue to run every 20 minutes during peak periods and half-hourly off-peak.
- The network has been designed with growth in mind, avoiding costly changes later.
- Consultations were held in 2022 and 2025, allowing the community to play an active role in shaping the proposed bus network plan.
Introduction to the Proposed Bus Network
The proposed bus network in Hawke’s Bay has been designed with the goal of creating a simpler, more frequent, and reliable service. From an operational perspective, the two-sided stops allow buses to run more efficiently, avoiding unnecessary detours or awkward turning movements, which helps services run on time. This is a standard practice in well-designed urban networks. The network prioritizes a simple, understandable structure that can support frequent services over time, rather than a complex web of routes that run rarely.
Frequency of Services
Frequency is the most important factor influencing public transport use. Bus users prefer services that arrive soon and reliably, rather than planning their day around infrequent timetables. For at least the next few years, most routes will continue to run hourly in each direction, as they do today. The exception is Route 1 (formerly Route 12), the main link between Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North, which will continue to run every 20 minutes during peak periods and half-hourly off-peak. The network has also been designed for future improvements when funding allows. Stop locations have been planned with growth in mind, avoiding costly changes later. The long-term intent is clear: this network is designed to grow.
Consultation Process
The strategic direction for a simpler, more frequent bus network was outlined in the 2022 Regional Public Transport Plan, which went through public consultation. That process included online submissions, written feedback, and in-person engagement with community groups and the wider public. It was refined and consulted on again in 2025 alongside extensive consultation with councils, employers, schools, health services, and community groups. Through these multiple opportunities, the community has played an active role in shaping the proposed bus network plan. This consultation process has ensured that the needs and concerns of the community have been taken into account.
Route Planning
Routes are based on where people live, work, study, and access services. They connect residential areas with town centers, hospitals, schools, and employment hubs. The design also considers road safety, congestion, and the ability for buses to operate reliably. Some routes may no longer pass every home, instead running along main roads for efficiency. This trade-off supports a more reliable service overall. The goal is to create a network that is easier to understand, more reliable, and better positioned to improve in the future.
Impact on Bus Users
Some bus users may have to walk further to reach a stop. The reason is simple: fewer, strategically placed stops help buses run faster, stay on schedule, and deliver a more reliable service for everyone. Too many stops slow buses down and make timetables harder to maintain. This approach creates a network that is easier to understand, more reliable, and better positioned to improve in the future. While some users may be inconvenienced by longer walks to bus stops, the overall benefit to the community is a more efficient and reliable service.
Addressing Concerns
The proposed network change is not about saving money, but about using the available limited funding effectively. A network that attracts more users, reduces congestion, and supports those without private vehicles benefits the entire community. Hawke’s Bay is growing, and population growth, shifting travel patterns, and rising costs mean the existing network cannot stay as it is. Doing nothing would lock in low-frequency services and missed opportunities. The proposed network is about preparing for the future, not reacting too late.
Conclusion
Change can be unsettling, particularly when it affects daily routines. But the goal of the proposed network is straightforward: to create a bus system that is simpler, more reliable, and capable of improving over time. The community has played an active role in shaping the proposed bus network plan through consultations. The network has been designed with growth in mind, and the long-term intent is clear. To see the new route starting January 25, visit gobay.co.nz and click on the ‘new routes’ page. As Neil Kirton, a Hawke’s Bay regional councillor and chair of the Regional Transport Committee, urges, look beyond any myths and consider the long-term picture. This is about building a network that works for today and for the future.
