Two days of ‘free' buses offered to Tauranga passengers with the introduction of the new Go Bus service are paid out of the marketing budget, says Environment BOP transport committee chairman Andrew Von Dadelszen.

"It was always part of our planned marketing," says Andrew.

"It cost about $9000 and it's come out of the general transport fund, not the targeted rate. We hope to get it back by increased patronage."

Environment Bay of Plenty's targeted transport rate for Tauranga residents has increased more than 15 percent this year. This means ratepayers are paying $2.84 million towards the service - $56.96 per household.
Over the next two years the inflation adjusted amounts are $3.278 million; $64.99 per household, and $4.214 million; $82.73 per household. Both figures are GST inclusive.
Environment BOP chairman John Cronin says how to target the rates is an issue to be examined before next year's rates demand.
'We can do better but we just had to go with what we have,' says John. 'It doesn't mean it will continue at that level, though we will be continuing with the service.”
The contract for the yellow buses is worth over $7 million.
Environment BOP advises spending during the next three years on public transport for Tauranga is $8.9 million in $2009/10, rising to $10.4 million in 2010/11 and to $13.3 million in 2011/12. Rural services, which include the Tauranga to Rotorua service, will be boosted by a further $2.78 million over the next three years.
Tauranga City Council paid 10 per cent of the bus service costs until this year. Environment BOP will take up the former TCC share for the current financial year.