The Otago Regional Council is about to lodge a notice of requirement with the Dunedin City Council to receive the go-ahead for the project.
The hub, in Great King St near the Dunedin police station, would remove most or all of the 38 car parks in the block.
Businesses and organisations in the block said late last week that, despite consultation, they were apprehensive about its effect. One labelled it "a bad idea".
The public may still have a chance for input, as a notice of requirement can spark a public consultation process. The ORC unveiled its bus hub plans last December. They include five parking bays for buses on each side of the street.
New, more advanced bus shelters would be provided, and, eventually, "real time" electronic displays showing when buses would arrive. The hub was a key part of a $3million transport project, including "super stops". The ORC last week announced improvements to the Dunedin bus service, with new contracts awarded to GoBus and Ritchies. The contracts begin from September 18, improving frequency and providing more direct and consistent bus routes.
A new "Ridge Runner" service between South Dunedin, Mornington, Roslyn, North Dunedin and the University of Otago would also be trialled.
The ORC said when announcing the changes the bus hub on Great King St "will go into service around the same time".
Corporate services director Nick Donnelly said he expected work to establish the bus hub would take place during July or August.
The ORC had been working "very closely" with affected parties.
"As with anything there’s changes happening, and some of them see positives, and some see negatives.
"But overall they’re all very aware of where everything’s at, and their various concerns or feedback is being incorporated into the final design."
ORC support services manager Gerard Collings said he expected the bus hub to be operational for September, and notice of requirement documentation was being put together for the Dunedin City Council.
The ORC planned to include additional shelter at the bus hub in response to community concerns, something that would happen "either at day one or down the track".
Mr Collings said two or three loading zones would be added for businesses on the block, and the ORC would "continue to work with them on an ongoing basis".
A Dunedin City Council spokeswoman said the council would decide whether to notify the notice of requirement.
If it was publicly advertised, there would be a public submission period of 20 working days, after which hearings would be held.
On the block affected, Payless Party and Lifestyle co-owner Phil Tait said the bus hub was "a bad idea". In Christchurch, a bus hub had destroyed businesses.
The business had meetings with the ORC, but they were not productive.
"When there’s construction near a business, older people don’t want to go there".
Smiths Sports Shoes owner Robert Sansom said he was 'apprehensive" about the hub.
"We don’t really want the bus hub but [the ORC] have been open and upfront to talk to."
Dunedin Community House manager Alan Shanks said he had been "in positive dialogue" with the ORC. Mr Shanks said he supported the concept of a bus hub.
Refined Rig clothing store director Peter Dean said it was difficult to say how the hub would affect his business. His main concern was a loss of parking.
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Comments
Amazing that the current businesses/organisations are the handful of people considered important on a planning decision that will affect the future of our central city. A handful of people who may not be around for long in the scheme of things. It is the DCC planning staff in conjunction with bus users who should be leading this.