The Tamahere Community Committee is seeking local feedback on the future of the Tamahere / Matangi Bus Trial (#28) and the Tauwhare Pā Service (#27), following the latest update from Waikato Regional Council (WRC) and Waikato District Council (WDC).
The service, which began in February 2024, was originally funded as a two-year trial. It has since been extended until June 2027, with Waikato District Council currently funding most of the operating cost under the trial agreement.
The Key Question: Is the Cost Worth the Benefit?
The latest correspondence confirms the following:
Annual operating cost: $180,000 per year
Current subsidy: Approximately 97%, or about $33 per passenger per ride
Patronage since launch: 10,531 passengers (18-month total), exceeding initial forecasts
Fare revenue: $10,698—double the original forecast
Purpose of the trial: social equity, connectivity, access for transport-disadvantaged groups—not commercial viability
After June 2027: Ongoing funding would depend on Waka Kotahi NZTA approval, based on three years of performance data
WRC notes that while usage has been higher than expected, the service still relies heavily on ratepayer funding, and the cost-per-ride sits well outside the usual value-for-money expectations for subsidised public transport.
Route Issues and Design Constraints
WRC advised that they are not planning any redesign during 2026.
Any changes to routes or service levels would need to be led by Waikato District Council, as the funding authority.
The original design was a collaborative agreement between Tamahere, Matangi, and Tauwhare communities, intended to “stretch limited funding” across the full three-year trial.
With the trial now funded entirely by WDC until mid-2027, it is important that the community has a clear voice in determining whether:
Have you used the bus service?
Should the service continue in its current form?
What changes are required to improve efficiency or value?
Should the trial conclude if costs outweigh community benefit?
Do YOU believe this service delivers enough benefit to justify its current cost to ratepayers?
How to Share Your View
You can provide feedback in the following ways:
Send your thoughts to the Tamahere Community Committee via email:
tamaherecommunity@gmail.com
Your input will help the Committee understand community expectations before further discussions with WDC and WRC.
