Customers of all ages have hopped on board the new Town Connector since the new service began operation on October 5.

The circular route links Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati and is being trialled on Thursdays, an evolution of the existing Waihi Beach trial (route 82a) with improved timetables based on community feedback.

The first trip leaves Waihi Beach Community Centre at 8.20am making stops in Waihi Beach before travelling to Katikati and on to Waihi, and arriving back in Waihi Beach by 10.15am. Subsequent trips begin at 10.20am, 12.20pm and 2.10pm.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Transport Policy Manager. Garry Maloney, says the evaluation of the success of the Town Connector will be based on a range of measures including vehicle occupancy and trend), financial support per passenger and fare recovery.

In the first two weeks of operation the Bay of Plenty Regional Council reports an average of eight passenger trips per day.

Passengers are mainly travelling from Waihi Beach to Katikati and return, and also from Katikati to Waihi and return. Two passengers have used the connection through to Tauranga and return, which is made possible with the alignment of the Town Connector and Katikati Shopper timetables, allowing seamless travel on Thursdays.

The van will stop on demand outside Waihi Memorial Hall this Thursday for anyone wanting to get to the ‘International Day of Older Persons' events

Under-fives travel free, children, tertiary and secondary students with student ID and SuperGold Card holders pay just $3 and an adult fare is $5.

The trial service will run until the end of June 2018.