An on-demand bus service trial in Hastings has put a “significant load” on the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s call centre, and is double the cost of a regular fixed-route bus.
The MyWay trial kicked off last year, allowing people to request a ride in a Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit through an app, or by calling the call centre.
It had gone “reasonably well” and increased bus patronage which was the aim, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council policy and regulation manager Katrina Brunton said.
While the cost of a trip was just $2, it cost the council twice that of a fixed-route bus service, and also required access to technology, she said.
