Transit hub

Image shows aerial view of buses entering the bus terminal on a wide city road.

An effective, efficient and attractive public transport system enables Palmy to achieve sustainable growth while delivering improved safety, city vibrancy and equitable access. A high-quality, future-proofed transit hub linking people to services and opportunities is a key contributor to ensuring public transport is a viable option for many trips currently made by private car.

Tell us your thoughts about a proposed bus passenger waiting lounge

We’re considering leasing space in the Tryp by Wyndham Hotel development for a bus passenger waiting lounge and a drivers’ lounge.

The proposal would see our Council contribute $23,746 towards the public waiting lounge, with Horizons Regional Council, NZTA, and Tranzit covering the remaining costs.

While the Business Case looking at transport in the city centre is still being finalised, work so far has identified Main Street as the preferred long-term location for the Urban Bus Hub. The proposal is an opportunity to partner with Horizons Regional Council, NZTA and Tranzit Coachlines to provide improved facilities in the current locations, without undertaking significant infrastructure upgrades on the current bus hub.

Both lounges would be located on the ground floor at the eastern edge of the development. The waiting lounge could include public transport information and amenities such as a coffee cart, vending machines, and secure bike or e-bike storage and charging.

Council has agreed to defer this proposal to the current annual budget process. This means there is an opportunity now for you to have your say before any decisions are made.

You can share your feedback by 4pm, 10 April.

Find out more and have your say today

  

The existing bus terminal was constructed in the early 2000s to replace an earlier iteration. But it’s uncomfortable, discourages people from spending more time and visiting local businesses, and has constrained access for users with higher mobility requirements. 

The ability for the current terminal to cater for increased demand in future is limited, and there is a negative perception of this area which can act as a significant barrier to public transport uptake. Several reviews of the strategy and concept design have been carried out since 2008, with the 2016 City Centre Streetscape Plan containing the most recent work to investigate improvements to the terminal.

A redeveloped transit hub and improved bus service – separately being reviewed by Horizons Regional Council – are key to the city and regional councils’ efforts to increase the take up of public transport over the long term, to help ensure the service is viable, attractive and a dependable transport option. With Horizons’ review of the service aiming to deliver a major step-change in the quality of the public transport service provided to Palmy residents, the existing terminal needs to be improved and revitalised to ensure there are viable alternatives to Palmerston North’s dependence on cars, and to support the decarbonisation of the city’s transport system.

Our parking framework will also evaluate our transport needs for the future, considering issues such as the reduction of carbon emissions, catering to population and urban growth, integration of parking with the wider transport system, managing parking space as a limited public resource and evaluating the needs of individuals, businesses and the wider community.

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