In a report presented by Otago Regional Council Public Transport team leader Julian Phillips, board members heard about the various challenges facing the service, including huge demand for buses, the difficulty in managing some timely match-ups between services, and the impact of driver illnesses.
"The services we put in for school pupils last year have become over-subscribed, particularly the run between Green Island and King’s and Queen’s high schools," Mr Phillips said.
Where previously buses were taking 55 to 60 pupils were trip, they were now finding up to 150 children waiting for the bus — meaning extra trips were needed.
"The only new service we have put on that is not overflowing is between Green Island and Kaikorai Valley College."
Bus timetables were proving challenging "all over the place", particularly lining up trips out to the more outlying areas.
Asked about progress on plans for a "super stop" extra-large bus stop in Green Island, Mr Phillips told the board that work was ongoing in conjunction with Dunedin City Council, and that the busy Green Island hub was the top priority. Super stops were being planning for up to five sites across the city.
"We have the funding in place, we just need to ensure that we are placing the Green Island stop in the right place for what the community needs."
It was likely to take about six months for the structure to be in place, he said.
Moving on to other business, the Saddle Hill Community Board discussed potential updates to its grant application forms, which had been researched by board member Pim Allen, with the aim of clarifying aspects of the application process.
In its discussion, the board agreed it was important to highlight for the public that it had funds available in its discretionary fund to distribute in grants for projects and activities within the Saddle Hill area.
With regard to that, the board agreed to grant $1000 to the Otokia Creek Trust in support of a watering system, leaving $7239 in its discretionary fund.
Board member Christina McBratney reported that eight young people would be giving presentations to the next meeting of the Saddle Hill Community Board, in support of their applications for its youth awards.
In order to ensure that as many young people as possible would be able to attend after school, the board decided to move its next meeting, on March 16, to 4pm at a venue (to be confirmed) in the Saddle Hill area.
