Waitaki ratepayers are being pinged with a new public transport fee to trial a new service that has yet to be fully realised.
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) introduced a public transport rate of $5.45 for the 2024-25 year when it struck its rates for the Waitaki district.
At this point, the start date for an on-demand public transport trial is at least nine months away.
Waitaki ratepayers who are already included in the Dunedin public transport targeted rating area, such as Palmerston, are exempt.
But Oamaru ratepayers are being asked to pay for the three-year trial.
Waitaki District Council major transport projects manager Mike Harrison said there had been "ongoing community interest" in the idea of public transport in Oamaru.
"The closure of a local taxi service in 2023 prompted [the district council] to seek shared transport solutions from ORC," he said.
In collaboration with the ORC, the district council had completed a feasibility study as the basis for a model, which was included in the regional council’s long-term plan.
The trial would use an on-demand system, similar to the "MyWay" model used in other locations, due to Oamaru’s size and layout, he said.
"This service would allow residents to request transport via an app, phone or website, offering flexibility while reducing fixed-route inefficiencies."
Timaru is already operating a similar service.
Mr Harrison said the earliest the Oamaru service could be up and running was July next year.
ORC transport manager Lorraine Cheyne said the trial service coverage area was yet to be finalised.
Mr Harrison said the trial would engage the public and assess the demand and benefits.
"While we have not yet conducted formal public consultations on this specific service, the public transport-related submissions received in recent years have all requested that [the district council] explore public transport options for Oamaru."
The trial was planned over the period of the current National Land Transport Programme 2024-27.
The planning and contracting aspect started in July this year.
However, the trial plans may yet be changed.
The ORC’s transport investment programme for 2024-34 was put together based on attracting co-funding from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi via the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).
But the Oamaru proposal for on-demand had not been approved for funding.
"The exclusion of the Oamaru public transport proposal from the NLTF is a setback, but discussions are ongoing between ORC and WDC to explore alternative pathways for shared transport solutions in Oamaru," Mr Harrison said.
