There is not enough demand for a regular bus-service. But a so called “On Call Mini Bus” could be a solution. An “On Call Mini Bus” is a combination of a public bus and a private taxi. With general basic support such a mini bus could pick up several people and be run at an affordable price.
Here are some notes on the 3 year trial running a bus between Mangawhai Village and Mangawhai Heads Surf Club
2012-2013 NRC, MBDA + KDC + Leabourn MDBA provided $3,330 and applied for $3,330 funding from the NRC Annual Plan and $3,330 from KDC
2013-2014 NRC, MBDA + Leabourn
2014-2015 NRC, MBDA + Leabourn
2015-2016 ceased
2016-2017
The NRC was funding based on $16 per passenger per trip - but it was costing more like - $30
Leabourn was asking for a 'gold coin' donation from each passenger ONLY. Not a set fare.
There were as few as 3-4 passengers on some trips.
Most passengers were mum,dad and kids. The majority were only travelling within the Mangawhai Heads area.
Teens were often problematic , alcohol use was a problem.
Mike Mcgarry was the chair of the MBDA at the time and Margeret Fish ( Sail Rock Cafe ) was also involved.
No account of this venture was ever written up .
Possible alternatives : A double-decker bus : might attract more patronage as a novelty but the capital outlay ( $200K ) and the short operating time would not be economic
A fleet of ( electric ) bicycles.
Pakistani painted bus ( Peter Grant in Waipu )