Todd Talks with Todd Muller National MP

Unfortunately, as of late, they haven't been running like clockwork here in Tauranga and, to a degree, that has undermined trust in our public transport system here in the Bay.

There is a real sense of frustration and it's clear that the service is not delivering to the expected standard.

My office has been inundated with emails, calls and Facebook messages over the last few days about the recent changes to the bus network, and I want to assure the community that your message has been heard loud and clear.

You expect better, and I don't blame you. It seems unfathomable to me that a bus contractor would be awarded our local contract without having enough staff to deliver – and it could be another eight to ten weeks until they can.

There are missed connections, late buses, or buses that never showed up at all. For those who are reliant on public transport to get around – our kids, the elderly, and those with disabilities – this has been a real problem.

There has also been a lot of concern from parents who need to feel their kids are safe and might not necessarily have the luxury of being able to pick them up from school.

If the Regional Council, and the government, are serious about encouraging people to get out of their cars and on to public transport, then this needs to be urgently addressed. At the moment, the reality is falling well short of the rhetoric.

To the Regional Council's credit, they appear to have listened, acknowledged the disruption, inconvenience and frustration, and are taking the issue seriously.

Our community will be watching closely to ensure they deliver.