Trial of On-Demand Public Transport Service in Tauranga South

Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Council) is responsible for planning, funding and overall coordination of passenger services in the Bay of Plenty region. The Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) is the key statutory document for public transport planning and investment, guiding the design and delivery of public transport services, information and infrastructure.

Its vision is: �More people using convenient, accessible public transport that enhances their lives, supports urban transformation and regional connectivity, while reducing our collective impact on the environment.� The RPTP 2022-32 identifies the main public transport challenges for the region as: growing patronage and achieving mode shift; meeting the access needs of our smaller urban centres and rural communities; and responding to climate change and reducing emissions.

In addressing the challenges, esp. access, the RPTP identifies an opportunity to investigate new innovative options, e.g. the potential for on-demand services. On-demand public transport usually involves smaller vehicles providing a flexible service that adjusts its routing to passenger demand. Passengers book rides and then share the vehicle with other users.

Pick-up and drop-off locations are determined according to passenger needs. This RFP is for the physical operation of a trial on-demand system in Tauranga South. Over the course of the trial we expect to be continually evolving the service parameters, growing the attractiveness and viability of the service.

This trial will help inform planning for future public transport delivery models for Tauranga and the Western Bay but will also help establish proof of concept for potential application elsewhere in the region where a scheduled, fixed route bus service is not considered viable. Success for the trial will be measured in service uptake (existing and new users) and customer satisfaction with the service.

Please note we will be holding supplier briefing sessions the Deadline to register for supplier briefing session: 06/09/23, date of session 11/9/23