The eBus service has made a great start to 2024 with a record-breaking month in March helping the service grow to more than a quarter of a million journeys in the first quarter.
March was the biggest month, with 91,687 journeys, since the eBus launch in August 2023 and 27 February had a record 4061 journeys in a day.
We are particularly encouraged that the eBus patronage this year – in January, February and March – is more than double the same months in 2023 for the former NBus service and that usage continues to grow month on month. The growth is so strong, that the eBus could make the million mark in passenger journeys this year.
It’s also good news for the new services to Motueka and Wakefield. The numbers are steadily growing and the Route 6 Wakefield service has had its best months the past two months, and the same goes for the Route 5 Motueka service apart from an extremely busy month last November.
From 1 May, 2000 local Total Mobility card holders will be able to use the eBus for free at any time of day with a support person, if required. We want to encourage accessibility wherever we can, and this is one way to make life easier for people who might find getting around challenging.