Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is reminding residents and visitors to Tauranga to plan their journey and take advantage of free park and ride buses during the annual Zespri AIMS Games.
The games begin this Saturday (2 September) and run through to the following Friday (8 September).
The city will be busier than usual with more than 24,000 visitors to Tauranga during the games.
Residents and visitors are advised to allow sufficient time to travel and to check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link), or to hop on the free park and ride bus running every 30 minutes from Gordon Spratt Reserve to the Mount Hot Pools.
Journey Planner(external link)
The free bus service will stop at Mercury Baypark, Baywave and Blake Park, in both directions and is being provided by Tauranga City and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. To find out more about the service visit www.nzaimsgames.co.nz/buses(external link).
“As Tauranga will be welcoming thousands of young athletes and their supporters, now’s the time to consider making the most of the free park and ride buses on offer,” says Waka Kotahi Bay of Plenty System Manager Roger Brady.
“With delays expected, we encourage drivers to use our Journey Planner and check the real-time updates online which provide information on delays, road works and road closures on their way to and from the AIMS Games, between venues and around town.
“If drivers, especially those who may not have visited Tauranga in a while, know what is happening on the roads, they can better prepare for the trip ahead and allow extra time to get to their destination safely.
“Please allow extra time while travelling as there will be an increase in traffic during the day, particularly before and after school hours on roads leading to the sport facilities and reserves throughout the city,” says Mr Brady.
“It’s also the perfect opportunity to remind visitors to the city that the road layout at the Bay Link project on State Highway 2 and 29A in Mount Maunganui has changed since last year’s AIMS Games. The most recent changes include the opening of the remaining ramp at SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange as well as lane changes at the Bayfair roundabout. These will be in place throughout the games.
“AIMS Games competitors and supporters are reminded to use the designated footpaths and crossings through the construction site. Drivers are reminded to please slow down, keep a safe following distance, and stay focused,” says Mr Brady.
