''It's a vote of confidence in Dunedin that we're investing in public transport infrastructure.
''It's great. It's another big step on the journey,'' Mr King, of Bus Go, said.
Having a more efficient and effective city bus system would make life in Dunedin more vibrant and help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
Using the buses would also bring other health benefits, including by encouraging bus patrons to walk for part of their journey, without having to worry about returning to their car, he said.
Asked how he rated the proposed bus hub, Mr King said he would score it ``eight out of 10'', but the ORC could improve that outcome by making some further improvements during the community consultation process.
Mr King said his own view was that some form of covered shelter should be provided to allow bus patrons to travel to and from the proposed Great King St bus hub to the Octagon, without getting wet.
Many buses would be moved away from the Octagon because of the new hub, the construction of which is projected to start midyear next year.
But it was also important to maintain bus access between the hub and the Octagon, and also with the Dunedin City Library.
Completing the hub, providing ``real time'' information there about when buses were coming, and completing the remaining reorganisation of bus routes to make them quicker and more direct would help the city reach a ``tipping point'', where more people began to use the buses.
The clear central bus hub location, near the central police station, would also make it easier for less experienced bus users to start riding the buses.
The hub would also help Dunedin people to connect from one bus to another, using the free transfer system, and opening up more complex and rewarding travel, he said.
He urged Dunedin residents to provide feedback to the ORC on the hub and to attend drop-in discussions with transport staff at the Dunedin Civic Centre lobby, starting today.
These sessions will run from 10am to 2pm every day until next Monday, except for this Thursday's session (2pm to 6pm).
