Minutes of Regional Council Meeting

1. Welcome/ Apologies

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the first submitter.

Hearings and Decision Making Processes for Regional Public Transport Plan

The Panel commenced hearing and considering the verbal submissions.

1.00pm Terry Hickling, Wairoa Disability Trust (sub19) Only Public Transport service available from Wairoa to Hastings is by Wairoa Disability Transport Service. Keen to keep the service and would like HBRC to assist with operational costs including driver wages.

1.15pm Gary Neems (sub24): Aim to reduce number of cars on the road and encourage people to use public transport services. No seating at bus stops for senior citizens discourages use so consideration needs to be given to seating and shelters throughout the cities.

General discussions about submissions.

1.45pm Timothy Peacock, Central Hawke’s Bay (sub26)8: Require a bus service in CHB, ideally including Takapau, Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otane, then possibly expanded to include Ongaonga and Tikokino

2.00pm Ron Wilkins (sub27): Strongly believe that the 10.55am bus service #17 Parkvale/Akina needs to be reinstated. Also extend all service for senior gold card holders until 3.30pm, and introduce a new service between Hastings and Napier via Clive running at 9.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm.

2.15pm Jude Henderson, Napier Disability Advisory Group (sub23): Huge time constraints, including access and costs, for disabled people using public transport. Suggests colour coded busses and or signs for disabled people to easily identify busses. Suggests a concession fare for people with disbailities.

2.30pm Andrew Lessells, Younited Students Assn (EIT) (sub32): represent 11,000 EIT students and wants public transport to be a viable alternative. Bus travel times are too slow, recommends a Flaxmere to EIT service and that timetables synchronise with EIT class times. Willing to engage to investigate possible solutions including further student discounts.

2.50pm Shari Tidswell, HB DHB (sub33): Public transport reduces pressure on parking and road networks and infrastructure costs. It also increases road safety and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

3.05pm Cr Simon Nixon, Hastings District Council (sub36): Supports the RLTP in principle and suggests ways to improve journey times, including a review of all bus services. Strongly supports promotion of commuter concession fares and improved service between Flaxmere and EIT and diverstions through Whakatu. Suggests connections include sports park, Whakatu, Haumoana, Te Awanga, airport connection and Hastings CBD shuttles plus consideration of on-demand services.

ARC59/19

Resolution

That Regional Public Transport Plan hearing panel receives and considers the verbal and written submissions received on “Regional Public Transport Plan” as provided and in accordance with the consultation provisions of the Local Government Act 2002.

Bailey/Barker

CARRIED

Officers’ Analysis of Submissions Received on the Regional Public Transport Plan

Councillors commenced deliberations, including the officer’s analysis and responses, to recommend decisions to enable Council to adopt the Plan.

RC60/19

Recommendations

1. That the Regional Public Transport Plan Hearing Panel:

1.1. Receives and notes the “Officers’ Analysis of Submissions Received on the Regional Public Transport Plan” staff report.

1.2. Notes the points raised in submissions, and the comments made by Council officers alongside additional comments made by verbal submitters.

2. The Regional Public Transport Plan Hearing Panel recommends that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

Submissions relating to Bus Infrastructure

2.1. Instructs staff to work with Napier City Council to install an additional bus shelter in Dalton Street to cater for Express bus passengers

2.2. Agrees to the addition of an action to the Regional Public Transport Plan, to “Work with road controlling authorities to investigate and implement bus priority measures which would improve the reliability and speed of bus journeys”

2.3. Instructs staff to ensure that park and ride options are promoted in bus service marketing.

2.4 Instructs staff to investigate the provision of seats in locations where shelters are not an immediate priority.

Submissions relating to Central Hawke’s Bay Services

2.5. Agrees to the addition of further discussion of community vehicle trusts into the Regional Public Transport Plan in section 1.4 of the Regional Public Transport Plan

2.6 Instructs staff to investigate a trial of commuter services between Waipukurau and Napier via EIT and HB District Hospital with peak time frequency.

Submissions relating to Wairoa Services

2.7. instructs staff to reopen discussions with the Wairoa Disability Van Service on ways which HBRC may be able to provide a subsidy from the NZ Transport Agency.

Submissions relating to Services for people with disabilities

2.8 Instructs staff to engage with Napier Disability Advisory Group to discuss barriers and solutions to public transport for people with disabilities.

Submissions relating to Rail Services

2.9. Agrees to the addition of discussion of rail’s role in public transport in Hawke’s Bay to Section 2 of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

Submissions relating to Public Transport service improvements Napier/Hastings

2.10 Agrees to the addition of a review of Havelock North bus routes to the list of planned activities in Section 5 of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

2.11 Agrees to the addition of wording to the Planned Activities section of the Regional Public Transport Plan, “Bus Services between Napier and Hastings” to include consideration of access to Sports Park, Hastings shuttle proposal, services via Clive.

2.12 Agrees to the addition of more discussion around reducing carbon emissions and future investment in section 1.4 of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

Submissions relating to Bus fares and ticketing

2.13. Agrees to the addition of discussion of fare review options to Appendix C of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

2.14. Ensures that fare options suggested by submitters are included in the 2019 fare review.

2.15. Agrees to the addition of discussion of NZTA review of fare recovery policy to Appendix C of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

Submissions of a general nature

2.16. Agrees to the addition of detailed discussion of patronage to Section 2 of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

2.17. Agrees to the addition of further information on planned improvements to Section 5 of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

2.18. Agrees to the addition of an outline of current and proposed marketing and promotion to Section 2 of the Regional Public Transport Plan.

2.19. Agrees to the adjustment of the significance policy to allow for up to a 10% change in the cost of services to ratepayers, before consultation on a variation to the Regional Public Transport Plan is necessary.

2.20 Agrees to initiate discussions with TLAs to emphasise the importance of public transport, to facilitate planning and to remove barriers to greater utilisation.

Bailey/Barker

CARRIED

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.05pm on Wednesday, 12 June 2019.

Signed as a true and correct record.

DATE: ................................................ CHAIRMAN: ...............................................