Bus hub lifts the game for public transport
Incorporating the old, the new, something green and something blue, Nelson’s new bus hub at Millers Acre looks set to be indestructible – both by people and by machines.
Despite the celebrations and speeches at its official opening on Friday morning, the hub won’t be used by buses until next Friday, when three of its six bays will open, and won’t be fully completed until the end of February.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said the $4.6 million project was completed under budget, and was opening on time, but was not completed on time.
The pouring of concrete was delayed by the very wet period over July and August, he said.
Negotiations were at the final stages around an “exciting” new development for the current Bridge St interchange site, which would significantly offset the cost of the new hub, he said.
At the opening, a 1000-year-old karakia from Nelson City Council kaumātua Ihaka Griffin blessed and safeguarded the hub and its whenua, while the fingertips of those who attended brushed the walls of the building to impart mauri.
Bottles from the 1920s to the 1940s excavated from the site sit on display, while seating wraps around the shade of a pūriri tree. The Happy Travellers artwork by Darryl Frost that was previously at the airport decorates the walls.
The council had budgeted $3.6m for the project, of which it was counting on $1.84m of Government funding, but wound up having to pay the full cost after the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) declined its funding request under the National Land Transport Programme in September last year.
Its budget was increased to $4.6m to include walkway canopies and an increase in the amount of structural work required underneath the site.
Smith said there was a change of government and a change of transport priorities, and while the council was “a bit disappointed” the Government did not come on board, it was surprised to be granted over $6m for the Maitai flood protection project.
Isaac Construction Nelson Tasman regional manager Toby O’Sullivan said the project used 3000 tons of concrete and 250 tons of steel.
To withstand the weights of the eBuses, the hub has 300mm thick concrete.
Council manager capital projects Rebecca Dawkins said Halifax St had also been rebuilt so it could take the load of buses turning in and out of the site.
As for the safety of the hub and its users, seven CCTV cameras had been installed that link directly to the police station, the wall linings were cement board and ply, and products were painted rather than using stickers that could be peeled off, she said.
The site was also very well lit inside and out.
Councils’ eBuses will operate from the hub, as will InterCity services from Blenheim and Christchurch and regional buses to Golden Bay, Kaiteriteri and Nelson Lakes. A number of school buses will also be using the site next year.
Asked if the location was slightly peripheral for passengers, Dawkins said the council had worked hard to put extra stops around the ring roads to ensure that there were stops close to this facility for people that couldn’t walk far.
Smith said the significance of the opening of the hub was part of the wider story of wanting to “lift the game” around public transport.
The hub was an important part of revitalising Nelson’s centre, and the council’s broader vision was to make the CBD as pedestrian and shopping friendly as possible, focusing heavy traffic around the ring roads, Smith said.
Other improvements to come include Motu Move, which would replace the Bee Card with contactless payment in 2027.
The Millers Acre site is also home to the arts hub that will open in July, and meanwhile, council staff were working with River Kitchen’s on its expansion on the area adjacent to the river to further develop the café, he said.
By Catherine Hubbard, Nelson Mail
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