Bus route change likely

Press, 29 August 1984, Page 47

Bus route change likely

A petition containing 171 names does not seem likely to stop a proposed bus route extention through suburban Papanui. The Christchurch Transport Board’s operations committee yesterday approved in principle an extension of the Mays Road bus route from Mays Road to Main North Road. Buses would travel on Scotston Street, Tomes Road, Claremont Street, Rayburn Avenue, Proctor Street, and May Street. Comment on the ability of the streets to carry buses would be sought from the Christchurch City Council before a final decision would be made by the board.

A petition containing 171 names from 104 households in the area, was presented to board staff. The general manager, Mr Max Taylor, said it indicated a “fairly substantial body of adverse opinion” to the proposed extension.

The petitioners said they thought it undesirable for buses to be driven through residential streets. The buses would add to “already overloaded traffic flows” and increase the danger to residents and schoolchildren.

Mr Taylor said that only one bus an hour would travel the route and not add

greatly to traffic volumes. A survey by the board had found 182 households in favour of the change, 115 against, and 99 with no firm opinion.

It was hoped that the extended Mays Road route would boost patronage and ease congestion on die full buses travelling on Papanui Road, said Mr Taylor.

If the extension was not approved, the Mays Road route would probably be withdrawn to allow the bus to be used on more heavily loaded routes, he said.

The extension was one of seven route changes, extensions, and additions considered by the committee. All others were recommended for adoption by the board. If approved, they will come into force on December 17, along with previously approved route changes and a new method of naming routes and displaying them on buses. A “shoppers’ bus” is planned for the Shirley shopping centre. It will travel through parts of Shirley, Mairehau, and Burwood in a figure-eight centred on the commercial area. The chairman of the board, Mr Patrick Neary, said “snob value” had prompted the petition. If the board accepted that it was undesirable to have buses, on residential streets there

would be no bus services. The service would be an “ideal experiment" to see if buses for shopping centres would be worth while, said the operations manager, Mr E. H. Sa undercock. He hoped that other shopping centres would want similar services.

Mr Newton Dodge said shop owners should be willing to promote the service to attract customers to their stores.

An alternative route from Beach Road, along Effingham Street and Marine Parade to the New Brighton mall, would also be introduced. All buses had previously travelled on Keyes Road from Beach Road.

Two extensions are proposed for the Northcote service. The first will travel via Sawyers Arms Road, Highstead Road, and terminate at Claridges Road. The second will travel along Northcote Road, Cavendish Road, Veitch Road, Grampion Street, and Glenmore Avenue to terminate at Claridges Road.

The Torlesse Street and Locksley Avenue terminals will be dropped from the Dallington service and an alternative terminus will be established at Bampton Street. Torlesse Street will continue to be serviced by diverting the Wainoni bus

into the area and Locksley Avenue will be serviced by the Liggins Street bus. The Bryndwr service will be extended along Leacroft Street and Cotswold Avenue to the intersection of Crofton and Sawyers Arms Roads.

The Templeton service will be changed to provide a more direct trip between Hornby and Christchurch and the Hei Hei route will change on some trips to cover the area previously serviced by the Templeton bus.