The issue was highlighted today at a meeting of Invercargill City Council's infrastructure services committee, where public transport fares were discussed.
During the debate, Councilor Grant Dermody said it was not clear to him what the 30-year vision for public transport looked like for the city.
Dermody said the council should look at connecting its network to different areas, such as Bluff or Sandy Point.
Council manager of strategic asset planning Doug Rodgers agreed there was work to be done.
“I've met with community leaders in South City just about the fact that young people have a hard time getting to sports on Saturdays because mom and dad are basically disadvantaged in terms of transportation, they don't have a car,” Rodgers said .
“They cannot go to sports practice during the week.
“These are things that fit into the broader strategic picture of what we want to offer and what we can offer.”
The public transport report tabled on Tuesday followed an April report which pointed to a $95,000 gap for the council following a government announcement that free public transport for children under 13 would no longer be available. would finance, or half-price fares for children under 13. 25s.
Tuesday's report was requested by councilors and provided more information ahead of upcoming deliberations on the long-term plan.
This showed that although patronage increased – around 150,000 patrons per year – it had fallen from more than 200,000 in 2015/2016.
The largest cohort of users was youth and children, with only about 30 percent of customers classified as adults, Rodgers said.
A range of options were put to councilors in lieu of the government withdrawing its grant, but a decision would not be made until deliberations had taken place.
Options ranged from offering free rates to all users at a cost to the council of $170,000, to charging a flat rate of $3 to all users over 5 years old, which would raise $496,000.
Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell asked staff for a net cost reimbursement to the council for various options, while Mana Whenua representative Pania Coote expressed her hope that the bus service would be extended to Bluff.
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