Bus travel most popular way to reach campus

For the first time, travelling to campus by bus is more popular than travelling by car, according to the University’s 2011 Manawatu Campus Transportation survey.

The annual review documents travel trends over time at the University’s Turitea and Hokowhitu sites in Palmerston North and findings assist the University in strategic planning for new transport infrastructure and applications for transport-related funding.

Manawatu Facilities Director Paul Compton led the survey and says this is the first time bus travel has overtaken car travel.

Bus travel to campus accounts for 38 per cent of journeys made to campus, compared to 31 per cent for cars. Car journeys have dropped by more than half from 76 per cent eight years ago.

The survey suggests that the ongoing promotion of the city-wide Unlimited Access Bus Service and improvements to the bus timetable, increasing fuel prices, and a greater awareness of the need for sustainable transport are contributing factors to the shift in trend.

“For many students that have not used public transport in the past, this is a chance for them to come away from university with the experience that public transport can be fast and convenient, in the right circumstances.” Mr Compton says.

“It’s an important insight for understanding the sustainable transport options in the future. It’s part of Massey University’s strategy of putting sustainability principles into practice.”

The Unlimited Access Bus Service started eight years ago and passenger journeys to July this year total more than 3.1 million. The scheme is one of the initiatives successfully realised as part of an integrated transport strategy that seeks to promote sustainable transport and to promote a student-friendly environment.

The service is funded by the University with grants from the New Zealand Transport Agency and Horizons Regional Council and was awarded the EECA Energywise Award in 2007, highly commended in the Ministry for the Environment Public Sector category.

Walking and cycling to campus accounts for 29 per cent of journeys and is a total that has remained steady during recent years.