Numbers add up to better service

What number are you?

New route numbers will be part of the changes when bus services in New Plymouth, Bell Block, Waitara and Oakura are revamped and expanded at the end of May. The changes apply to commuter and school-bus services alike.

"The current four urban commuter routes will be increased to nine, and we're also reorganizing school bus services," says the Taranaki Regional Council's Director-Operations, Rob Phillips.

"The result will be more direct journeys and greater coverage."

Timetables and route maps for the new services, along with details of a new fare structure also being introduced, are available at libraries, information centres and schools, as well as on the website www.taranakibus.info.

And your route number? Check the lists below.

Commuter services:

1 - Moturoa
2 - Whalers Gate
3 - Lynmouth-Marfell (including Base Hospital)
4 - Westown-Hurdon
5 - Frankleigh Park-Ferndale
6 - Vogeltown-Brooklands
7 - Welbourn
8 - Merrilands-Highlands Park
9 - Fitzroy-The Valley-Glen Avon
10 - New Plymouth West (Saturdays)
11 - New Plymouth East (Saturdays)
20 - Bell Block-Waitara
40 - Oakura

School buses:

12 - Merrilands to Spotswood College via NPBHS and Devon Intermediate (return)
21-24 - Waitara to New Plymouth high schools and intermediate schools (return)
30-34 - Bell Block to New Plymouth high schools and intermediate chools (return). Route 21 from Waitara will also serve Bell Block passengers.
41 - Omata to Spotswood College, Devon Intermediate, Sacred Heart, NPBHS and NPGHS (return).
42-44 - Oakura to New Plymouth high schools and intermediate schools (return).
51-54 - New Plymouth school orbiters servicing all high schools and intermediate schools in the New Plymouth urban area, with clockwise and anti-clockwise circuits.