The final decision on the location of Tauranga city's downtown bus stops on Tuesday was a drawn out affair.
Councillors made the decision to go ahead with the Willow Street Bus Centre after they spent two hours re-debating the issue.

See video interview of Mayor Stuart Crosby below, one of the supporters of the Willow Street site for the new bus terminal.

The final vote was a reflection of the earlier division with Councillors Catharine Stewart, Hayden Evans, Bill Grainger and Murray Guy continuing their opposition, saying Willow Street is not a good place for buses for a variety of reasons that include safety, congestion and a claim that there are better alternatives.
They were outvoted by councillors who hold the view the buses have to go somewhere. The Willow Street site is the one preferred by the council's consultants, it gets the government subsidy, and the old and the young who are the Hopper bus services' main users, also prefer Willow Street.
The council has gone with a slightly re-jigged version of a plan approved in principle in November 2009.
The City Centre Bus Stops will be developed on Willow Street and Wharf Streets with the Hopper buses using both sides of Willow Street, and long distance coach operators using Wharf Street.
Bus stops in Durham Street near Baycourt will be used in future as drop off stops for non scheduled services like cruise ship charters. An additional bus stop will be created in Wharf Street outside the TSB Bank for non scheduled tours and departing cruise ship tour operators.
To reduce congestion the buses will enter Willow Street via Durham and Wharf Streets, instead of Grey Street. They will leave Willow Street via Grey Street and Elizabeth Street.
Yet to be decided is the design and cost of the shelter for the Masonic Park side of Willow Street. The council has included the waiting room/cafe in the library arcade facing Willow Street.
The cost of the project is $750,000 with $450,000 provided by a 60 per cent subsidy from the New Zealand Transport Agency. The money will be proved over two financial years.