Transport plan

Strong cities are built on the safe, sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods. The Western Bay of Plenty Transport System Plan (TSP) identifies the right activities to support urban development and provide people with more viable travel choices.

We are planning a transport system that supports future ‘up and out’ development and connects existing and new urban centres in a way that makes it easy to move around to work, learn and play.

The plan is focused on generating a noticeable shift from cars onto public transport, improving safety, providing reliable travel times for freight, and creating better walking and cycle connections.

Transport design with everyone in mind

The TSP has been developed by Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Tangata Whenua, Port of Tauranga, Priority One and KiwiRail. Together we are working on a united approach to tackle housing, transport, infrastructure, economic and environmental issues so the best possible decisions can be made with everyone – and everything – in mind.

The 30-year TSP supports the Urban Form and Transport Initiative and its Connected Centres Programme which sets out how best to cater for urban growth and move around the western Bay of Plenty over the next 30 to 70 years.

The TSP aims to support a projected population of 258,000 residents and 34,000 new homes, resulting in more than one million extra transport movements every day by 2050. It looks at transport including roads, rail, public transport, freight, walking and cycling. The TSP also considers other factors like parking and public transport fees and a commitment to carbon emission reduction.

To deliver UFTI’s Connected Centres Vision, TSP will:

support quality urban growth by improving access to social and economic opportunities like schools, GP clinics, shops etc by different transport modes (walking, cycling, buses, vehicles)
increase use of public transport, cycling and walking to help reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions
maintain off-peak travel time predictability for freight via road and rail
contribute to an outcome where no one is killed or seriously injured in road crashes.

What will our future look like?

In the future, most people should be able to reach their destination using public transport within 30-45 minutes, and a network of safe cycling, walking and personal mobility routes for e-scooters and so on will allow people to reach their local shops, schools parks and neighbouring communities within 15 -30 minutes.

Existing freight corridors on SH29, Takatimu Drive, Hewletts Road, SH29A, Takitimu North Link and the Tauranga Eastern Link will continue to connect the Port with the Eastern Bay and upper North Island. Some extra capacity via manage freight lanes will be needed and most bulk loads will be encouraged to move around by rail.