A draft regional public transport plan setting out what services will be delivered and how for the next 10 years was adopted by the Waikato Regional Council this week.

The plan has been drafted following consultation with a number of key stakeholders including public transport operators, the NZTA, councils throughout the region and the Ministry of Education.

The Waikato Regional Council adopted a draft regional public transport plan this week. Photo: WRC

WRC also spoke to a variety of community groups who represent the business, public health, education and access and mobility sectors.

WRC Regional Public Transport Plan Development Committee chairperson Lois Livingston says public transport plays a key role in the lives of many Waikato communities.

'It provides people who don't have access to private vehicles with transport options, and improves connections between and within urban centres and rural communities.

'It's important for the economic and social vitality of the region that we continue to deliver a growing and affordable public transport system. This draft plan sets out how we propose to do that.”

The proposed changes follow a comprehensive review of the region's bus network over the past two years.

This review found some areas of Hamilton have been over-serviced, so WRC is proposing to merge several routes and use the cost savings to extend several other bus routes into areas not currently well serviced.

'By making these changes, we're maximising our resources and providing a network which will improve the bus experience for our existing and new passengers.

'We are also mindful of the need to keep fares at reasonable levels, and this plan signals a comprehensive fare structure review will be undertaken over the next year.”

The draft plan also identifies inter-regional passenger rail services as a potential public transport option into the future.

Public consultation on the draft plan will begin on Friday, November 7 and close Monday, December 15.

An open day is being held at Hamilton's transport centre in Bryce Street from 8am-3pm on Thursday November, 13.

To read the draft plan visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/rptp