Buses the Backbone of Taranaki's RWC 2011 Transport Plan

Public transport is getting a major boost in Taranaki during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Fans throughout Taranaki and New Plymouth will have the chance to leave their cars behind and travel instead by bus to and from Stadium Taranaki.

Also, additional buses are being arranged for the city’s urban bus routes to make it easier for people to get where they’re going, whether or not that involves getting to the rugby.

“We’re going to have thousands of additional people in the region during Rugby World Cup so we want to make sure that public transport is an easy choice to make, even if people aren’t travelling to the stadium,” says Manager World Cup Jenny Mills.

“On game days we’ll have buses coming in from 11 towns around the region plus shuttle buses from the central city up to the stadium. Also, the city’s urban bus routes will run later into the evening and have two buses on nearly all of the runs.

“The fewer private cars we have on the road, the less congestion we’ll have around the city and the easier it’ll be for everyone to get around.”

For those travelling to Stadium Taranaki, plan ahead and get there early so that you have plenty of time to get to your seats.

The transport plan has been organised by New Plymouth District Council, Taranaki Regional Council and Tranzit Coachlines.

New Plymouth urban bus routes

On match days only, all nine urban bus routes in the city after 4.00pm (except the 6.30pm service) will have two buses running, plus extra evening runs – and all routes after 4.00pm will cost only a gold coin.

On 11 September the nine routes will also run at 8.30pm and 9.30pm; and on 15 and 26 September at 9.45pm and 10.30pm.

Regional match buses

Bookings are a must for these services.

The following are return-trip prices. Under-fives travel free. Children are 16 years and under. Families are up to two adults and up to four children.

• Hawera: Pick-up outside the Hawera i-SITE by the water tower. Adults $12, children $6, families $20. Buy tickets at Hawera i-SITE.
• Eltham: Pick-up outside Stanners Motors. Adults $10, children $5, families $16. Buy tickets from Eltham Library Plus.
• Opunake: Pick-up outside the Sandford Event Centre. Adults $12, children $6, families $20. Buy tickets from Opunake Library.
• Okato: Pick-up outside Okato Library. Adults $7, children $3, families $11. Buy tickets from Oakura or Opunake libraries.
• Oakura: Pick-up opposite Butlers Reef. Adults $5, children $2.50, families $8. Buy tickets from Oakura Library.
• Stratford: Pick-up outside the War Memorial Hall. Adults $8, children $4, families $13. Buy tickets from the Stratford i-SITE.
• Inglewood and Egmont Village: Inglewood pick-up – main road, opposite the old rail yard; Egmont Village – outside the dairy/post office. Adults $6, children $3, families $10. Buy tickets from the Inglewood Library and Service Centre.
• Bell Block: Pick-up outside Parklands Supermarket and the bus stop at Nugent Street. Adults $4, children $2, families $7. Buy tickets from the Bell Block Library and Service Centre.
• Waitara: Pick-up on McClean Street opposite Waitara Memorial Hall. Adults $6, children $3, families $10. Buy tickets from the Waitara Library and Service Centre.
• Urenui: Pick-up outside Urenui School. Adults $10, children $5, families $16. Buy tickets from Urenui Library.

Shuttle buses

On match days only, shuttle buses will drive a loop between the Ariki Street Bus Station and Stadium Taranaki, for a gold coin each way.

On 11 September the buses run from 4.00pm to about 6.00pm, then take passengers back to the CBD from 7.30pm.

On 15 and 26 September the buses run from 5.30pm to about 7.30pm, then take passengers back to the CBD from 9.00pm.

The return buses will continue to run until the last passenger alights.

Parking on match days

Park in New Plymouth’s CBD and take a shuttle bus to Stadium Taranaki.

On match days only, all public car parks in the CBD will be free from 5.00pm, including Centre City’s car park. On Sunday 11 September parking is free all day.

Car parks will remain unlocked for 24 hours, although Centre City will be locked at midnight on match days.

If you’re driving to the stadium, free parking is available at Sanders Park to cars with three or more passengers from two hours before kick-off.

Accessibility parking is available via the stadium’s Gates 2 and 4. A parking pass from NPDC must be displayed – phone 06-759 6060 or email enquiries@npdc.govt.nz.

Online information

Check out all match-related information (transport, road closures etc) online at www.taranaki.info/RWC2011.