Supporting Tauranga’s growth with a dedicated bus layover facility

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has confirmed the development of a new Tauranga Public Transport Operations Facility at the corner of Spring and Durham Streets, marking a significant step in supporting the city’s growth and urban transformation.

The facility will serve as a dedicated off-street location where buses can pause between trips before continuing their journey. Known as layovers, these scheduled stops support regulated driver breaks and will help keep buses running to schedule, ensuring smoother commutes for public transport users. The facility will provide space for up to 12 vehicles and include on-site facilities for drivers. It will also free-up valuable on-street space for parking, making the city centre more accessible for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Construction is set to begin in April, with the facility expected to be operational by August 2025.

Andrew Williams, Transport Planning Manager at Bay of Plenty Regional Council, said the project addresses challenges posed by the city’s growth.

“This facility is a practical solution to ease the pressure on parking in the CBD, while ensuring our buses can operate safely and efficiently. By moving layovers off the street, we’re supporting a more functional and accessible city centre for everyone. It’s part of our efforts to create better, safer, and smarter connections for our growing community.”

The project is being delivered by Bay of Plenty Regional Council as part of its commitment to supporting an efficient bus network. While infrastructure projects are typically managed by local councils, the Regional Council has stepped in to address an immediate need for dedicated bus layover space. This ensures the network can continue to operate reliably, while reducing the demand for on-street parking in the CBD. In parallel, Tauranga City Council is moving and upgrading the Durham Street bus stops as part of its broader city centre redevelopment, creating a modern transport hub to enhance the passenger experience.

While the Tauranga Public Transport Operations Facility is still in the planning and design stage, the project team will provide regular updates to keep the community informed about construction progress and milestones.

ENDS

For further media information, please contact media@boprc.govt.nz