An Upper Harbour Local Board proposal to introduce a bus service for Paremoremo residents funded by a targeted rate will be discussed at a public meeting on 17 March.
The targeted rate proposal is part of Auckland Council’s 10-year budget currently open for public consultation until 22 March.
Board Chair Margaret Miles says a bus service that runs from Paremoremo to Albany during peak times on weekdays can be introduced if funded through a targeted transport rate.
“We’re often asked why some areas have access to public transport and why other areas don’t. The reality is, if a bus route is an integral part of the public transport network, and can be delivered within the budget, then it is seen as a priority and these are the routes that get delivered first.
“Neighbouring Coatesville has a bus service which is funded through a targeted transport rate successfully applied in the Rodney Local Board area.
“Unfortunately, Paremoremo and Lucas Heights lack the population to be seen as a priority for a bus service and there are no plans to deliver the service within the next decade.”
Fifty-five per cent of respondents from last year’s local board plan consultation asked for further investigation into providing public transport to areas without a bus service.
“Now, we are asking for feedback on the targeted rate proposal which affects residents living in the Paremoremo and Lucas Heights areas,” says Margaret Miles.
Residents are invited to hear more about the proposal from local board members at a public meeting hosted by the Paremoremo Ratepayers and Residents Association. The meeting takes place on Wednesday, 17 March at 7pm at the Paremoremo Community Club at 503 Paremoremo Road, Paremoremo.
Note: the meeting could change due to COVID-19 Alert levels so keep up to date here.
Key points from the Paremoremo Transport Targeted Rate Proposal:
- The proposed service will operate from Paremoremo to Albany during peak hours on weekdays. Peak hours are estimated between 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm. The travel route and timetable will be finalised following submissions from residents.
- The proposed service’s operating costs is based on seven round trips each weekday at an estimated annual cost of $160,000. Current bus stops, including school stops between Albany Bus station and The Avenue, will be used and extra sites added for additional stops along the route.
- A peak-only service has been identified as providing a balance between service levels and the impact on ratepayers in the service area. Service levels can be increased should there be sufficient demand in the future.
- Two options are being considered for the targeted rate.
- Option 1 – targeted rate of $238 for each separate dwelling or business on a property for properties located within 500m walking distance of a proposed bus stop (that equates to $4.58 per week).
- Option 2 (preferred option) – targeted rate of $153 for each separate dwelling or business on a property for properties located in the wider Paremoremo and Lucas Heights area of the Upper Harbour Local Board (that equates to $2.94 per week).
- Auckland Transport’s Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) describes the public transport network proposed for the Auckland region and identifies the services that are integral to that network over a 10-year period. Paremoremo has not been identified in the RPTP as a priority area at this time. The RPTP is updated periodically and the public can make submissions on it in early 2022.
- People are being asked to give feedback on the targeted rate proposal as part of the 10-year budget consultation.
Read more about the proposal at:
- 10-year Budget 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan Consultation Document (page 45)
- Paremoremo Public Transport Targeted Rate proposal
- Paremoremo Public Transport Targeted Rate – Frequently Asked Questions
To give feedback on the proposal and the 10-year budget, visit akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget
