For revitalisation, the CBD must itself become a main hub for visitors, locals, businesses, commuters, workers, inhabitants, shoppers and be a commercial centre free of traffic congestion and parking problems. The obvious answer is a Tauranga Central Railway station (on the Strand) as the main destination and transit centre for passenger rail regionally from Katikati, Aongatete, Omokoroa, Te Puna, Otumoetai, Bureta, Tauranga , Matapihi, Bayfair, Blake Park, Mt M, eastwards to various Papamoa stations, Te Puke, Paengaroa and even beyond Whakatane utilizing the rail corridor which passes parallel to, or through most of these centres. City wise from CBD Central Station, light rail/trams along Cameron road to Kennedy Road, Pyes Pa, branched to Welcome Bay, all having a different return loop would complete the transportation plan harmoniously blending commuter hubs to housing areas, an asset advantageously benefiting all future scenarios.

Now in 2020, with the admission that the flawed roading model will not solve the problems, Authorities shortsightedly continue expanding outmoded roading ideas, yet absurdly expect a different result, unashamedly squandering funds. Examples in June 2020, $19.5million on failed transport hub, $2.5million for an updated transport report - which incredibly defers passenger rail for 30 years. Lamentably, but predictably, the fiasco continues.

J Nagels, Brookfield