06/10/2026
TTT - TAURANGA TRAIN TRIAL, WAKA HIKO 23 SEAT ELECTRIC SHUTTLE BUS & SMART SOLAR STATIONS & BUS SHELTERS – SUMMARY OF SUBMISSION TO BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLAN 2026-2036
I experienced the delightful reality of train riding through Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty on the 2nd of May 2026 on GVR Glenbrook Vintage Railway from Tauranga to Apata return, after a 14 year absence of passenger trains from Tauranga. On the train I met Niall Robertson National Coordinator of TRAINZ Inc (The Railway Advocacy Institute of New Zealand) and we talked about a shared passion for “trains in Tauranga as an alternative mode of transport and overlapping urban form and transport” for future housing areas in Ōmokoroa and Katikati with “trial tiny stations with park and ride” for a commuter passenger train public transport service that is fast, frequent, reliable, accessible and regular as an alternative mode of transport to cars and buses, which would reduce congestion. This submission is about planning and implementation of public transport infrastructure over the next 10 years to enable growth.
PROPOSED TTT TAURANGA TRAIN TRIAL METRO PASSENGER COMMUTER ROUTES:
1. SUBURBAN COMMUTER NORTHERN – daily return Apata to Ōmokoroa to Te Puna to Ōtūmoetai to Tauranga C*D 7:30am, 12 midday and 5:15pm. This suggested over 3 years and linked to new residential land being between Ōmokoroa and Katikati by prominent local housing developers as Tauranga grows North. Also aligned with new infrastructure for higher density living. I have approached Private Sector Developers who have provided letters of support and suggested locations for stations.
2. SUBURBAN COMMUTER SOUTHERN – daily return Tauranga C*D to BayPark to Pāpāmoa to Te Puke to Rangiuru 7:30am, 12 midday and 5:15pm. This suggested over 3 years and linked to new residential land being opened up in Te Puke overlap with prominent local housing developers as Tauranga grows South. Also aligned with new infrastructure for higher density living. Te Puke is a work and family hub and the rail runs through it, also a good place to terminate and store the train. Rangiuru will be a substantial work growth hub in future so could have a park and ride.
3. TOURISM/SHOPPING/COMMUTER – daily return Tauranga C*D to Matapihi to Bayfair Shopping Centre to Tauranga Airport to Blake Park to Mount Maunganui also including Passenger Cruise Ship Schedule (82no. Cruise Ships visited Tauranga in 2025). This suggested over 3 years and linked into the Cruise Ships attractions pre-booked to visit Tauranga Art Gallery, New Tauranga Museum and New Tauranga Library and C*D Wharf Street and Strand Cafes and Restaurants.
4. TAURANGA MAJOR EVENTS – train services provided for events to enable movement of large numbers of people to event location like BayPark for rugby, homeshow, AIMS games, netball (moving to BayPark) alternative mode of transport to cars and buses, reducing road congestion and able to move large volumes of people.
PROTECT THE CORRIDORS & PLAN NOW FOR STATIONS WITH PARK & RIDE: TTT proposes 2 refurbished train sets from Auckland to provide better commuter services and options, 2 locomotives and 6 carriages. This could be a transformational project for Tauranga and Bay Of Plenty through cross organisational collaboration between private sector prominent local housing Developers, Councils, KiwiRail, Iwi, Hapu, Community and other Stakeholders. The 3 Councils could help by protecting the rail corridors and identifying land for stations and park and ride now to allow for the future. Diesel locomotives trial will be replaced with BEU – Battery Electric Units in future to align with KiwiRail decarbonisation of rail in Tauranga within 10 years.
TTT - TAURANGA TRAIN TRIAL – METRO PASSENGER COMMUTER TRAIN SERVICE - SUMMARY KEY POINTS
TRAIN POTENTIAL: The Bay Of Plenty Regional Council Public Transport Plan 2026-2036 focuses on buses. TTT highlights the potential of trains as transformational infrastructure, using existing heavy rail lines and sidings, trial tiny stations with park and ride, trains as an additional mode of transport that complements buses, cars and cycling and reduces congestion. Port freight train movements still have priority by the metro passenger commuter train service using of sidings.
CONNECTING THE BOP: My submission proposes linking the BOP Region with a metro passenger commuter train service, overlapping urban form and transport that enables current housing and commercial projects to be serviced as well as opening up new developments faster, with a regular 3 times a day commuter regional service connecting Apata to C*D to Te Puke and Mount Maunganui.
CITY STATION AND C*D ACTIVATION: a central city station would bring large numbers of people into the C*D and Te Manawataki o Te Papa New Museum and Library as well as Tauranga Art Gallery and C*D shops, restaurants and cafes. Complementary to other city developments like the Northern Quarter Development on the Strand which is hospitality and commercial precinct plus Panorama Tower parking and medical building. The train would enable a connected, walkable waterfront to city centre.
TOURISM AND SHOPPING: TTT opens up BOP for tourism by providing a tourist attraction for the 80-90 cruise ships per year that visit Tauranga, as well as opening up shopping and dining experiences at Bayfair and City Centre C*D.
MAJOR EVENTS: TTT could be used for major events moving large numbers of people to the homeshow, rugby, cricket, netball, AIMS Games and more.
TRIAL TINY STATIONS: My submission proposes cost effective trial tiny stations with park and ride for a metro passenger commuter train service that is fast, frequent, reliable, accessible and regular. This submission is about planning and implementation of public transport infrastructure to enable growth.
PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVED: I have approached private sector developers working on current and future housing, commercial and mixed use projects in Ōmokoroa, Katikati and the C*D for letters of support. I have also asked the developers for suggestions for locations for stations so that we can overlap urban form and transport. My submission is about BOPRC planning infrastructure before growth of housing and commercial areas to the North between Omokoroa and Apata and to the South between Te Puke and Rangiuru. The private sector could be approached for purchasing advertising space on the train set (vinyl skinning) similar to the public transport buses.
HIGH LEVEL FEASIBILITY STUDY: I have been working with Train Specialists and providing information to Regional Council at my verbal submission 6 November 2026.
SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM GROWTH: As Tauranga grows a metro train service reduces reliance on cars and buses, which eases parking and congestion and supports sustainable growth for the city and region. A metro train service would be a beneficial growth strategy for Tauranga and Bay Of Plenty
CROSS ORGANISATIONAL COLLABORATION: A regional metro passenger train network could pull the whole community together, private sector Developers, Councils, KiwiRail, Iwi, Hapu, Port, Community and other Stakeholders.
WAKA HIKO 23 SEAT ELECTRIC SHUTTLE BUS & SMART SOLAR BUS SHELTERS – PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED TO JOINT PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMITTEE 15 JUNE 2022 – INCLUDED IN THIS SUBMISSION TO BAY OF PLENTY PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLAN 2026-2036
Embracing change – the Environmentally friendly way
Architect Mark Wassung, and Richard Drummond a local bus manufacturer, have combined to create a mode of transport which will reinforce the city’s commitment to endorsing and promoting decarbonisation. The 23 seat electric shuttle bus is an innovative transformative approach to transport which will revolutionise the way Tauranga citizens move around the city. It will be a fast, frequent and nimble, smaller, lighter vehicle which will do less damage to roads and kerbs. Futuristic looking, bold and brightly coloured, combined with highly accessible open plan design, will afford every person the opportunity to both explore and reach their destinations. The smaller bus will be far more economical in the ability to access suburban areas, encouraging cyclists, people in wheelchairs, parents with prams and even mobility scooters to change their mode of transport. The addition of CCTV cameras and high impact acrylic screens to protect both the driver and passengers will enhance safety, reduce vandalism, making this option of transport highly desirable.
This progressive concept will promote local manufacture and business, allowing Tauranga to become a leader in innovative thinking.
Copyright of Mark Wassung & Design Engine Architects Ltd
Please share and comment. If you would like to support me at my verbal presentation 6 November at Bay of Plenty Regional Council at Regional House Elizabeth Street 9am, I would really appreciate it.
