Support for the alternative bus route Havelock North - West
On the 19th of January a stand-up meeting was held outside #9 Upham Street concerning the council’s choice to use Upham Street as an increasingly frequent dual direction bus route. Residents’ are concerned about the narrow nature of the street, the school access alleyway danger, the damage to residents parked vehicles due to the bus, the speed at which the bus transitions the road, some bus drivers presumption of their ‘right of way’ rather than following the road-code, the already high frequency of service vehicles, the questionable choice to turn right onto Middle Road and also back onto Te Aute Road during peak traffic times which will cause additional traffic congestion in addition to the decision to chicane back onto Upham Street across Middle Road from Palmerston Road during those times.
Last night it was revealed that the public consultation, which we were told occurred several years ago, had had limited advertisement on the radio and posters on the buses only. Therefore, most of us affected were unaware of the changes the council intended to make until few select homes were provided with letters informing us in December 2025. An implied, dismal – you ignored the initial opportunity to feedback response from the council was received by some of the residents in response to their correspondence of concern in December 2025 at the impending changes to the bus service occurring this month, January 2026. Furthermore, it was also revealed that the area most requiring bus services has been left off the new route altogether. A survey of bus users revealed that Lipscombe Cresent had the highest number of passengers, yet the bus is no longer going to traverse this area in the changed route.
We have suggested an alternative route to the council, see map above, which seeks to mitigate the issues discussed, and to create better traffic flow especially during peak travel times. The suggestion removes Upham Street as a pathway to Middle Road for a frequent, dual direction bus service given its congested and narrow nature. Where possible the bus will utilise left hand turns and only turn right crossing one lane to reduce traffic flow impairment.
I hope that others can support the alternative suggestion before the changes are embedded and more rate-payer funding is spent on new bus stops, signage and advertising etc and in order to ensure a safer, more efficient and effective bus service for Havelock North west.
Anna Jenkins Contact the author of the petition