GoBay bus service to resume

Popular GoBay bus routes and extensions will be reinstated on Monday, August 28, after being parked since Cyclone Gabrielle.

The well-used 12N and 12H services, Napier to Hastings return via EIT and Hawke’s Bay Hospital, will offer hourly services from 6.30am through to 5.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 8.00am to 6.00pm on Saturdays.

The Havelock North extension on Run 11, Napier to Havelock North returning via Clive, will again be operating and travelling in both directions, as will the Bay View leg on Run 15, Napier to Bay View, via Ahuriri and Westshore. 

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Policy and Regulation Group Manager, Katrina Brunton said she was very pleased to be bringing back the important routes.

“While the recent opening of the Redclyffe Bridge at Waiohiki has been instrumental in bringing back these services, we’ve also had to work through driver availability and ensure traffic flows would allow our schedule to run on time.”

There have been some scheduling changes across the timetable, so it was recommended bus passengers check the GoBay website before heading out on Monday 28 August to catch their bus.

Driver availability continued to put pressure on the services offered.

To effectively manage driver flexibility, illness and leave entitlements as well as ensure the legally required 24-hour break per seven days for each driver, Sunday services will no longer be offered.

The temporary Saturday Run 11 service will also be discontinued as Run 12 restarts. 

Brunton said the Regional Council was continuing to work on reinstating remaining services and reconnecting Hawke’s Bay to pre-cyclone levels.

“Our progress will continue to depend on GoBus being able to recruit and train new drivers.”  

The new timetable will be available at the end of the week on the GoBay website and in buses and key locations.