Mid Canterbury Connector service ‘needs more time’
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Ashburton district's only public transport service “needs more time” to have a chance to become viable.
Safer Communities Ashburton District chairperson, current deputy mayor Liz McMillan, says the Mid Canterbury connector service isn’t worth scrapping just yet.
“I know it doesn’t look good now. Give us another year,” McMillan said.
“We are getting more and more people on it.
“It’s just that Covid, the people that would have used it are elderly people and they didn’t feel comfortable getting in a van and going somewhere.”
The connector is a volunteer-driven vehicle linking the likes of Methven and Rakaia to each other and Ashburton for a small fee, run by the Community Vehicle Trust network.
When it started it ran on certain days for certain locations but McMillan said after a review the feedback was for it to operate five days a week and to do so it sourced its own vehicle in February.
The connector is funded by Environment Canterbury and Waka Kotahi, about $10,000 annually, and is rated to every property outside the Ashburton township boundary at $1.17 per rating unit and is a total of $5000.
McMillan said it was a necessary service but had so far been affected by Covid.
“The main idea is to combat isolation so that those who can’t drive can get somewhere to visit friends or wander around the shops and see people rather than being stuck at home.
“We just need to encourage people to use it and get more people on board to make it viable.”
The service also relied on volunteer drivers and McMillan said they were always looking for more.
Most of the passengers are currently from Methven, using the service to travel into Ashburton for medical appointments or to visit the Bookbarn in Chertsey.
Councillor Leen Braam questioned if it was working or if an alternative should be looked at, and said the cost was “completely out of kilter”.
With no other public transport options available McMillan said the connector service just needed more time and now that Covid restrictions had been relaxed there would be a big push to grow patronage.
Those plans include a school holiday promotion encouraging rural-based people 14 and over to utilise the service to head into Ashburton, or between rural towns.
The Mid Canterbury Connector, is an on-demand service that people can book Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4.30pm for transport between rural locations and to and from Ashburton.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
-
60% Yes, supporting people is important!
-
25.7% No, individuals should take responsibility
-
14.3% ... It is complicated
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
-
44.4% Yes - we like to be prepared
-
38.9% Nah
-
16.7% This is on my to-do list!
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
Loading…
