Mayor Kirton Continues Fight To Retain Route 25 Mixed-Use Bus Service

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says he will continue fighting to retain the ability for spare seats not required by hospital patients to be used by other travellers on the Taumarunui–Hamilton health shuttle, after Te Whatu Ora – Waikato declined to reverse its decision to remove the public transport component of the service.

Mayor Kirton recently convened a meeting of key stakeholders, including representatives from Te Whatu Ora - Waikato, Waikato and Horizons Regional Councils, and the Mayors of Waitomo and Otorohanga, in an effort to find a solution that would retain the current mixed-use model.

Mayor Kirton said that while he strongly supports efforts to improve the health shuttle service, he also believes eliminating the public transport function was not the only response to concerns that could have been addressed in other ways.

“In my view, this decision is a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

“Rather than addressing the issues with the existing service, the decision removes a public transport option that provides significant community benefits at the worst possible time.

For many people, Route 25 has been a lifeline. It offered a practical, affordable, same-day transport option at a time when fuel prices and cost-of-living pressures are placing increasing strain on household budgets.”

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Mayor Kirton said the lack of wider community consultation was a missed opportunity for all stakeholders to work together to address any concerns while retaining the many benefits of the combined Route 25 health shuttle and public transport service.

“I believe that the challenges identified could have been managed through changes to operating procedures, vehicle selection, or other practical improvements.”

While disappointed by the outcome, Mayor Kirton said he has not given up the fight.

“I have written to Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown seeking his assistance in finding a practical solution, and I am very pleased to have the support of Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne.

This should not be an either-or situation. There is no reason spare seats on a bus travelling to Hamilton should remain empty when there are people in our communities who need affordable transport.

I would welcome the opportunity to work with Te Whatu Ora – Waikato and others to reinstate a same-day service that supports hospital appointments while also providing an affordable, reliable public transport option for the wider community,” he said.

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