A trial of $1 bus fares or free travel for short trips could be pushed by the Dunedin City Council.
It may also ask the Otago Regional Council to trial a free city centre loop bus, review timetables, provide for shift workers, shift to electric buses, bring in express services to places such as Mosgiel and Port Chalmers, and explore commuter rail.
The city council’s proposed list of suggestions comes at the same time as it continues to seek a transfer of Dunedin’s public bus services from the Otago Regional Council to itself.
Tomorrow, city councillors are set to debate a draft submission from their council to the regional council concerning its 2021-31 draft public transport plan.
The draft submission refers to a trial of $2 flat fares, which is due to end on June 30.
The city council looks set to argue for a continuation of the flat fares or lower fares, suggesting the regional council trial $1 fares or free travel for short trips after they became more expensive when the Bee Card was introduced last September.
In its draft submission, the city council calls for clarity about fares from July this year.
The council also raises concerns about the proposed removal of cash from buses from 2024, fearing "a disproportionate impact on some groups who are already at risk of transport disadvantage".
This would need to be offset by offering more cash top-up facilities near bus stops, the council says in its draft submission.
Among other suggestions are trial services connecting towns such as Middlemarch and Outram, and increasing the frequency of the Palmerston-Dunedin route.
A loop bus through Dunedin’s retail precinct would have an operating cost of between $400,000 and $1.65million, depending on the route chosen.
It would improve access to the central business district, the city council says in its draft submission.
The council suggests an increased level of service to provide motorists with viable alternatives and to give options for shift workers.
Its draft submission recommends a prompt conversion of the bus fleet from diesel to either electric or an alternative fuel.
It also promotes express services to Mosgiel and Port Chalmers at peak times and commuter rail as a low-carbon transport mode.
