A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TRIAL FOR THAMES In Houston, ( Thames) a person walking is somebody on her way to her car." - Anthony Downs Presentation to Thames Community Board 31 January 2017 Denis Tegg
GET AROUND THAMES TRIAL TRANSPORT SERVICE 15 seater mini-bus Proposal 31/1/2017 a 6 month trial with review after 4 months, - if viable seek NZTA 51% subsidy mini-bus or small bus 13-22 seater with easy access a loop service from Tararu/CBD/Parawai/CBD/Tararu 22 seater bus frequency hourly - Monday to Friday hours 9 am to 2 pm - 6 circuits 2 Hartnell s Thames Te Puru Service
POSSIBLE ROUTE? 31/1/2017 20.5 kms total time 49 minutes average speed 25 kms/hour Route prepared by Adam Lawrence M Plan Prac (Hons) B.Com MNZPI Public Transport Planner Possible on demand drop off zone 3
ROUTE SHOWING POSSIBLE BUS STOPS AND CATCHMENTS Possible timetable Map prepared by Adam Lawrence MPlan Prac (Hons) B.Com MNZPI Public Transport Planner 4
Provision of Public Transport is a CORE SERVICE for Thames Coromandel District Council Local Government Act 2002 Thames Coromandel District Council must consider the needs of transport-disadvantaged Land Transport Management Act 2003 5
SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING OPTIONS Supplementary third party contributions Goldfields? PaknSave? DHB? Bupa? advertising on bus, tickets and timetables? ECCA Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund 50% of project cost Government fund to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles. Open for applications late Feb/March Mitre 10 sponsored Blenheim service for $35,000 p.ann developer contributions? car parking charges/leases? Demonstration projects new ways of addressing transport demands demonstrations of new vehicle types small electric bus? small electric bus Thames EV charging station 6
More Thames households have no car - than in the District HIGHER THAN AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THAMES HAVE NO VEHICLE (PLUS MANY DON T DRIVE) 60 % of people in households with no vehicle use public transport - source NZTA 7
THAMES HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT ACCESS TO A CAR Map prepared by Adam Lawrence MPlan Prac (Hons) B.Com MNZPI Public Transport Planner 8
THAMES HAS VERY HIGH LEVELS OF SOCIAL DEPRIVATION Social Deprivation is measured by these criteria - 9
THAMES DEPRIVATION INDEX MAP Map prepared by Adam Lawrence MPlan Prac (Hons) B.Com MNZPI Public Transport Planner 10
THAMES IS OLD AVERAGE AGE -51 YEARS HIGHEST IN NZ NZ AVERAGE IS 37 YEARS 11
20 30 YEARS BEFORE NZ IS AS OLD AS THAMES IS NOW Thames has a need for critical transport services for senior citizens now basis for NZTA funding a trial/research project? 12
SOCIAL ISOLATION A GROWING PROBLEM No public transport means transport disadvantaged people can be trapped in own homes who - struggle to shop in CBD miss or put off health appointments are unable to visit friends or belong to clubs. Leading to social isolation. Age Concern report daily enquiries about public transport in Thames * Extract from NZTA information pack 13
THAMES IS SPREAD OUT. TARARU IS 3.6 KM FROM THAMES CBD Equivalent distance from Hamilton CBD Most of Thames outlying suburbs are steep/hilly We don t expect Hamilton's aged and disabled to walk for 50 minutes into CBD and back or hire a taxi Morrinsville (same population) is 4 km across Thames is 7km 14
LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS A BARRIER TO OLDER PEOPLE (AND OTHERS) CONTRIBUTING AS CONSUMERS AND WORKERS 15
PUBLIC TRANSPORT ENHANCES ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, HEALTH, & ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES Council spent $385,000 on land purchase and $251,825 on project costs (Total: $636,825) for 61 new Mackay Street parking spaces. bus service provides jobs more consumer activity in CBD eases traffic congestion fewer accidents * lowers demand for more parking spaces. fewer health appointments missed more community engagement more volunteers lower Co2 emissions - less air pollution * car drivers are nine times more likely to be injured than bus passengers = $10,439 per parking space 16
TOKOROA URBAN BUS SERVICE began with 6 month trial - 2015 22 seater bus 6 circuits a day - 9am to 2 pm growing patronage high satisfaction with service 2016-51% funding from NZTA Fares One way : Adults - $2.00 Children (5-14) - $1.00 Pre-schoolers free Super Gold Card holders - free (once service was subsidised) 17
ESTIMATED THAMES COSTINGS Based on costings provided by Adam Lawrence, Public Transport Planner and ball park estimate from Murphy Buses 31/1/2017 Assumptions for Thames Trial 15 seater mini-bus with low step access 6,700 passengers per year (conservative?) farebox recovery $12,000 per year net cost for 6 month trial $39,000 approx Trial Annual cost Adult Fare $2 Gross cost $90,000 Fare revenue -$12,000 Net Cost $78,000 NZTA Subsidised Service potential for lower contract price and higher farebox recovery With NZTA subsidy after trial Annual cost Gross cost $90,000 Fare revenue -$29,700 NZTA subsidy 51% -$30,753 Farebox recovery 33% $2 Adult fare Farebox recovery 13% Cost to Council For 6 month trial $39,000 Net Annual Cost to Council Less sponsorship? -? $29,547 18
PROJECT COMPARISONS Tairua Footpath Repair 19 m of footpath repaired Cost $11,104.40 Whitianga zebra crossing Cost $16,000 Age Cost Benefits Thames Swimming Pool annual deficit $196,075. number of visits per annum 23,238 Council cost per pool visit $8.40 Tokoroa Urban Bus Service Council cost per trip $1.20 (with NZTA subsidy) December 2016 figures Recent Major Thames Projects Council Budget $ Benefits which age group most? Indoor sports centre 2,800,000 Under 55 s Skate park 330,000 Under 20 s Rail Trail Stage 2 1,000,000 Under 55 s 19
Thames Coromandel District Positive Ageing Strategy 31/1/2017 PLANS AND STRATEGIES #1 20
COMMENTS FROM THAMES RATE-PAYERS / RESIDENTS Yes - I would be able to visit my friend in the Booms Retirement Village Yes, - I would be able go to the supermarket every other day, rather than relying on someone to take me once a week I love swimming but can t get to the pool now I could. I can t afford a taxi. I drive at the moment but may soon lose my licence due to failing eyesight, in which case I would use the bus I have cancelled Dr s appointments because no one could take me, but a bus means I can go independently. 21