Tauranga City Councillors have chosen Willow Street as the sight of the city's transportation centre.
In spite of strong opposition from retailers, business interests and some councillors, the choice between Willow Street and Durham Street was made an easy one.

It is the only choice that stands a chance of attracting government funding.
The total cost of a Willow Street terminal is about $750,000. Durham Street will cost about $958,000, with the difference mostly because of the need to build an amenities block.
The proposal is to have bus stops on either side of the road between Wharf Street and Hamilton Street with an empty retail space on the city council's Willow Street frontage to be converted to a passenger lounge, ticket agency and cafeteria.
Under the New Zealand Transport Agency rules the Willow Street site has a cost benefit ratio of 4.75 compared with 0.93 for Durham Street.
Because Durham Street is under the ‘magic one', it is unlikely to attract government funding says city transportation group manager Hennie Roux.
It was a deciding factor in voting.
'We can't sit on our hands, the situation has reached saturation point", says David Stewart. 'Durham Street is simply not a goer if there is no opportunity of getting agency funding for it on the radar.”
A visual presentation simulating the bus station's operations also allayed concerns Willow Street businesses will be confronted by a 'wall of buses”, says David.
'We are damned if we do and damned if we don't but we have to make a decision,” says Mike Baker. 'I would personally prefer not to have to spend the money at all with the situation the city's in, but we should only spend the money if we get a significant proportion of funding.”
Mayor Stuart Crosby says something had to happen to improve the bus facilities downtown. The hopper buses carried 1.2 million passengers over the last year and the numbers are expected to climb.
There is obviously a need to improve the facilities in the central business district.
There are pros and cons for both options.
Wayne Moultrie was concerned for the retailers, but adds Willow Street has the greatest benefits for the greatest number of people.
Catherine Stewart and Murray Guy opposed the Willow Street option.
Catherine believes Willow Street is the wrong place for the longer term and that buses are inappropriate on the narrow cobbled streets of the CBD.
Murray Guy says the cost benefit analysis presented a pre-determined outcome and that some information in the presentation was inaccurate. Buses are 2.4m wide – not 1500mm. Bringing 15-20 tonne tour coaches through town is not acceptable and there is no provision for parking for people meeting buses.
Bill Grainger abstained from voting. He doesn't support Willow Street and he doesn't think Durham Street is a good spot either.
'I feel there are better areas,” says Bill.
Several councillors were absent.