Our Reference: A1251179
2 July 2019
Matt B
Email: mailto:[FYI request #10188 email]
Dear Matt,
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) Request
We refer to your information request dated 4 June 2019. A copy of your request is set
out below and numbered for ease of reference:
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/social-impacts-boomtown
With regards to the above article, please advise the following:
1. Has an assessment been done on the operational efficiency of an express
service to destinations beyond the Frankton Hub? (ie. only stopping at it's final
destination or key nodes). If not, please advise why an assessment on user
efficiency has not been done.
2. Frankton Road to Frankton Hub is already well serviced by the current bus
system. If there are sufficient passengers to fill buses between LHE/SC and
Queenstown what operational reason is there to not operate this as an express
service?
3. Please advise what is preventing a direct service from being implemented now
rather than "in the coming months".
4. Please provide the report that has informed the decision to review the direct bus
service rather transferring buses at the hub.
5. With regards to the ORC policy statement, please advise what ORC is doing to
achieve the following: "protection of transport infrastructure from the adverse
effects of land use activities and natural hazards"
I have been informed of the following in response to your questions:
Question 1, 2 & 3
The new Orbus service was implemented 18 months ago and patronage since then has
grown massively. We recognise public transport demand continues to grow, in particular
from the Lake Hayes and Shotover Country Estates. In future planning the ORC needs
to ensure that its route planning is sustainable and improves the entire service. Any route
changes must be thoroughly worked through before implementation. We have to
consider other passengers’ needs, fleet capability, cost and timetable logistics.
We have made an assessment for this particular route, investigating a new peak service.
The investigation is currently in stages of review and due to be put to council for
approval in the coming months. If approved, we hope to implement the new service
before the end of the year.
We will also be in a better position to understand passenger movements delivered
through our new ticketing system due to start in Queenstown in September.
Question 4
The decision to review the Lake Hays Estate service was not based on a report but on
feedback from various stakeholders, including the Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover
Country communities who have told ORC about the need for a direct service. We also
work closely with the operator who reports on passenger loads.
Question 5
The ORC continuously plans to implement projects to support and protect our regions
transport infrastructure. Recent projects include the Stock Effluent disposal sites and the
suite of changes to the Queenstown and Dunedin transport networks.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you have any queries concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
James Gribble
Administration Officer- Legal
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