Whanganui residents are being asked to have their say on the funding of passenger transport improvements as part of the 2025-26 Annual Plan consultation process next year.
Horizons Regional Council has signalled a desire to include $400,000 in funding for passenger transport improvements in Whanganui for 2025-26, despite NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s decision earlier this year to no longer financially support new transport initiatives. This investment will be consulted on as part of the regional council’s Annual Plan process next year.
While funding for passenger transport improvements in Whanganui was initially included in year two of Horizons’ Long-term Plan 2024-34, it was based on the provision of like for like funding on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
“During the Long-term Plan process earlier this year, the Whanganui community were very vocal about their desire for further passenger transport funding locally,” says Horizons Regional Council chair, Rachel Keedwell.
“We have listened, and today we have 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.”
The Council says momentum in the passenger transport space has been building in Whanganui, evident with the success of Te Ngaru The Tide. Since its inception at the beginning of 2023, Te Ngaru The Tide can account for over half of the patronage on urban bus services in the city, making it the most popular service in Whanganui by far.
Meanwhile, across the network, more than 190,000 passenger trips have been clocked in the last financial year – almost 70,000 more than 2023.
Horizons Passenger Transport Committee chair, Sam Ferguson says the increased patronage is not only attributed to service improvements, but also new and upgraded facilities across the network.
“Over the past two years we have provided 19 new and improved shelters across multiple suburbs, enhancing the experience for our passengers,” he says.
“This increase in investment for 2025-26 gives us the opportunity to explore a second frequent bus route within the city to open up even more destinations for people to be able to get to quickly and easily. We will also be exploring the hours of service including evenings and weekends. This will give the people of Whanganui more freedom to travel independently and safely when they wish to.
“An added bonus is that as more people choose to take the bus, we are enabling a reduction in private vehicle trips within the city and helping to reduce carbon emissions from transport.”
Rachel Keedwell explained the process from here.
“This decision is an indication of where the council is heading in terms of the Annual Plan process,” she says.
“It does mean that consultation with the Whanganui community will be required next year, before adoption of the Annual Plan can take place.”
In the New Year, the Council will also undertake a service review, seeking feedback on the future of the bus network for Whanganui to understand whether current routes are ‘fit for purpose’, or if enhancements can be made.
