QTS-106 · Board or committee paper · 2025
Public and Active Transport Committee 5 March 2025 - Agenda
Part of: Rapid transit evidence →
Agenda for Otago Regional Council's (ORC) Public and Active Transport Committee meeting of 5 March 2025 in Dunedin. It contains the 6 November 2024 minutes and four staff reports: (9.1) Transport Operating Environment, covering bike racks on buses, the second Emissions Reduction Plan (including possible time-of-use charging to support public transport in Queenstown), the new Minister of Transport, GTFS and early Queenstown Public Transport Business Case service changes, and Ministry of Education school bus withdrawals; (9.2) the public transport 6-month performance report for July-December 2024 (Queenstown bus patronage 975,520 trips, +5%; Queenstown ferry 32,119, -12%); (9.3) Updates on the Regional Public Transport Plan, which attaches the draft RPTP 2025-2035 (pp31-170) and recommends Council approve it for consultation from 24 March to 2 May 2025 and set the hearings panel composition; and (9.4) SuperGold concessions on Dunedin Route 1. The staff reports do not discuss mass rapid transit. The attached draft RPTP contains ORC's statement of support for 'the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies' (p88).
What the document says
Context and purpose. This is the published agenda for ORC's Public and Active Transport Committee (PATC) meeting on 5 March 2025 (co-chairs Cr Alexa Forbes and Cr Andrew Noone; p1). It includes the draft minutes of 6 November 2024 (pp3-6), four staff reports, the draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035 as attachment 9.3.1 (pp31-170) and the RPTP consultation legislation as attachment 9.3.2 (pp171-173).
9.1 Transport Operating Environment (POL2502). Reports the national disabling of bus bike racks after an NZTA industry alert and the co-funded modification pathway (pp7-8); the Second Emissions Reduction Plan, including $44.721 million over four years for zero-emission buses and proposed time-of-use schemes that 'could potentially reduce congestion and support use of public transport in Queenstown' (p9); the appointment of Hon Chris Bishop as Minister of Transport (p9); delay of the GTFS update to July to include early Queenstown Public Transport Business Case changes (increased Jack's Point and Kelvin Heights frequencies and a new Malaghan's Road service) (p10); Ministry of Education school service withdrawals, with Jack's Point & Kelvin Heights frequency increasing from hourly to 30 minutes as 'early implementation of the Queenstown PT Business Case' (p11); and delays installing nine of ten Queenstown e-stops pending bracket design with QLDC (p12). Recommendation: note the report.
9.2 Public Transport 6-month Network Performance Report 2024/25 (GOV2520). Dunedin bus patronage 1,737,559 (+4%); Queenstown bus 975,520 (+5%); Queenstown ferry 32,119 (-12%); Total Mobility 72,298 (+18%); 99.6% of scheduled services operated (p13). Every month in the period was a Queenstown patronage record (p16). Ferry decline is attributed to the return of full fares in July 2023 (p18). Recommendation: note the report.
9.3 Updates on the RPTP 2025-2035 (POL2503). Staff developed the draft from August 2024, engaged with more than 100 stakeholders (40 engaged, 50+ survey responses) and co-designed it with territorial authorities and NZTA (Waka Kotahi) (p25). Key differences from the current RPTP are branding and marketing, community transport support, and a value-for-money approach to increase private share, which may affect concessions, fares and fare structure (pp26-27). Consultation is proposed for 24 March-2 May 2025 with in-person sessions including Frankton and Queenstown (pp27-28); hearings 12-16 May and deliberations 19-30 May 2025 (p28). Staff recommend a hearings panel of three Regional Councillors only (p28). Up to $200,000 is budgeted for RPTP work in 2024/25, expected to be 51% funded from the National Land Transport Fund (p29).
9.4 Super Gold concession on Route 1 (GOV2527). Recommends ending the inconsistent SuperGold concession on afternoon City-Palmerston and City-Warrington services (p174).
Mass rapid transit: The staff reports do not mention MRT, mass rapid transit or off-line public transport. The attached draft RPTP (identical in substance to RPTP_DRAFT) states 'We support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies' (p88), says there may be a future study of 'an off-line option' (p94), and shows 'Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)' in the 6-30 year horizon (p96). The covering report does not draw these statements to the Committee's attention.
Key figures
- Queenstown bus patronage Q1-Q2 2024/25: 975,520 trips, +5% (p13)
- Queenstown ferry patronage Q1-Q2 2024/25: 32,119 trips, -12% (p13)
- Dunedin bus patronage Q1-Q2 2024/25: 1,737,559 trips, +4% (p13)
- 99.6% of scheduled services operated (229,719 trips) (p13)
- ERP2: $44.721 million over four years for zero-emission buses nationally (p9)
- RPTP development budget up to $200,000 in 2024/25, expected 51% NLTF funded (p29)
- Proposed RPTP consultation 24 March-2 May 2025; hearings 12-16 May 2025 (p28)
Rapid transit
Mass rapid transit means light rail, gondola/cable car, bus rapid transit and similar dedicated rapid-transit technologies. It does not include ordinary bus services or ferries.
Passing. Mentions mass rapid transit without assessing it.
Staff reports silent; attached draft RPTP supports future study of an off-line Queenstown rapid service, likely ropeway.
None of the four staff reports refers to mass rapid transit or offline public transport. The MRT content is confined to the attached draft RPTP 2025-2035 (agenda pp31-170), which is the same document as RPTP_DRAFT (agenda page = draft page + 30). In the Urban Rapid row of the service-layer table it states 'No current plans to implement full rapid service' and 'We support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies' (p88). The Queenstown network section says 'there may be a future study of the case for other modes to serve this area, including an off-line option and a direct ferry service' (p94), and the 6-30 year map lists 'Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)' (p96). The engagement summary records Queenstown feedback on 'expanding ferry access or ropeway services' (p138). Report 9.3's list of key differences from the current RPTP (pp26-27) does not mention the off-line/ropeway aspiration.
"We support the future study of an “off-line” rapid service in Queenstown, likely using ropeway technologies" (p.88) | "Potential for rapid off-line service between Queenstown and Homestead Bay (not shown)" (p.96)
Files
- Open Main document (PDF, 9.0 MB) Opens in a new tab.
Main document
Public copies
Publisher’s own file.
Actions recorded
Committee to note the Transport Operating Environment report.
Not assessed · 5 March 2025
a) Notes this report.
Staff to report back on time-of-use scheme details (potential to support public transport in Queenstown) as they emerge.
Not assessed · ORC · As details emerge
Staff will report back as and when any new details emerge.
Committee to note the 6-month public transport performance summary for 2024/25.
Not assessed · 5 March 2025
a) Notes this summary of public transport activity in Otago
Provide a review of performance to Q3 2024/25 to the next Committee meeting.
Not assessed · ORC · Next PATC meeting
A review of performance to 2024/25 Quarter 3 will be provided
Committee to receive the RPTP update report and the draft RPTP 2025-2035.
Not assessed · 5 March 2025 · Relevant to rapid transit
b) Receives the draft Regional Public Transport Plan (2025-2035)
Recommend to Council that the draft RPTP go out for public consultation (proposed 24 March-2 May 2025, decision at 19 March Council meeting).
Not assessed · ORC · 19 March 2025 Council; consultation 24 March-2 May 2025 · Relevant to rapid transit
c) Recommends to the Council that the draft RPTP goes out for public consultation
Recommend to Council a preferred hearings panel composition; staff recommend three Regional Councillors only (option a).
Not assessed · ORC · 19 March 2025 Council
Staff recommend a Hearings Panel composition in line with option (a)
Delegate the Chief Executive to approve minor editorial changes to the draft RPTP before consultation.
Not assessed · ORC · Before consultation
e) Delegates the Chief Executive to approve minor editorial changes
Show all 12 actions
Hold in-person RPTP consultation sessions in public areas including Frankton and Queenstown, plus online/print advertising and a submissions form.
Not assessed · ORC · Consultation period
Staff will hold in-person consultation sessions
Hold RPTP hearings 12-16 May 2025 and deliberations 19-30 May 2025 (proposed).
Not assessed · ORC · May 2025
Staff propose that hearings take place 12-16 May 2025
Recommend to Council that the SuperGold concession not apply on afternoon City-Palmerston and City-Warrington services, and communicate the decision.
Not assessed · ORC
Recommends to Council that the SuperGold Bee Card concession is not applied
Divert one regular Queenstown service via Whakatipu High School before and after school (proposed), and work with MoE on Lake Hayes/Shotover transition in 2026.
Not assessed · ORC · Term 3 2025; 2026
we are proposing to divert one regular service via Whakatipu High School
Study cost
Not separately commissioned. This is an internal or corporate document.
Citation
Public and Active Transport Committee 5 March 2025 - Agenda (2025). Report Nos. POL2502, GOV2520, POL2503, GOV2527.