A recent TCDC survey on public transport in Thames and Coromandel has shown very strong support for the existing Thames “Connector” bus service.  Most survey respondents also wish to extend the Thames hours from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays from the existing hours of 9am to 3pm weekdays and there was good support for including Kopu and Te Puru and a connection to Coromandel town. Waka Kotahi (NZTA) have agreed to an extension of the trial funding for the Thames Connector until June 2024.

Other results of the survey –

• 11% of respondents in Thames would have no other means of travelling if the service were not provided. Those that said they would not make the journey were travelling for the following purposes:

• the service helps to provide mobility and limits social exclusion by providing a means of travel to those who would otherwise not travel.
• 36% of respondents would have otherwise have travelled by car as a driver so the bus is saving greenhouse gas emissions

Fares

The majority of people surveyed either used the free Super Gold card fare or if not were prepared to pay $2  for a single trip within Thames and $5 for a trip to Kopu or Te Puru.

Coromandel to Thames bus connection

The Coromandel Colville Community Board have asked that the possibility of a regular service between Coromandel town centre and Thames is investigated. If such a service were introduced then the fares might be $5 with a Bee Card or $7 cash each way.  There was also very strong support for a new bus service linking Coromandel township and Thames.  87% said they would use it.

There was 70% support to provide more flexible methods of transport delivery – “Upon Demand”

Electric buses

41% said the use of an electric vehicle should be insisted on and 81% said alternative tenders diesel or petrol and electric vehicles for providing bus services should be required

For full survey results –