More people are using Hamilton city’s buses, with an overall increase in patronage of more than seven percent.

This week’s Environment Waikato Passenger Transport Subcommittee heard that the largest increase was in the Claudelands service where patronage had grown by 33.5 percent over the 2000 year. The introduction of Saturday services and an extension into Chedworth had mainly contributed to the increase.

The first half of 2001 showed a marked increase in bus patronage over the previous year, but that levelled out during the winter months and December numbers fell well below the 2000 figure.

Patronage in the Fairfield, Fitzroy, university and Eastern Circular routes had increased by 10 percent with the largest increase on the university route. Fluctuations caused by the academic year affected the services, however the overall increase was promising, councillors said.

Pukete and Te Rapa bus use rose eight percent, and Silverdale and Chartwell 9.8 percent, while Flagstaff and Hillcrest use increased 6.6 percent. On the Frankton route use grew 5.8 percent with the Mahoe service remaining static. Glenview remained stable while Nawton patronage declined slightly.

Dinsdale bus use grew 9.2 percent while Bremworth remained static.