Transdev has announced that its subsidiary branch Mana Newlands Coaches will continue running Metlink’s on demand trial in Tawa and Porirua, New Zealand, until the end of this year.
The on demand service was first introduced in Tawa in May 2022 before it was extended to the Porirura CBD in June 2023.
The app based service allows customers to order rides from 14-seat buses running without set routes between roughly 600 flexible, virtual stops.
With a fixed fare of $2.50 paid through the app, the on demand service acts similarly to rideshare apps but at a more affordable rate.
Mana Newlands Coaches managing director Craig Chin says the extension shows Greater Wellington Regional Council’s commitment to connecting more people with public transport.
“The council saw the need particularly in underserviced areas and this service is filling the gap and linking into the wider bus and rail network at an affordable price,” Chin says.
“This extension will also give us a full 12 months of data from the expansion to central Porirua which can help Metlink inform future transport decisions.
“Overall, this is a great collaboration for Transdev with Metlink, the Council and Via as we’re proud to be connecting more communities through this service.”
Passengers can download the Metlink On Demand app for free from their mobile’s app store, or by clicking here.