Timaru’s on-demand public transport system, MyWay by Metro, has recorded the highest level of patronage in the city for almost a quarter of a century.

Almost 267,000 passenger trips were recorded in Timaru over the 2023-24 Financial Year, surpassing the previous record of 263,000 trips recorded in the 2001-02 Financial Year and marking a 24-year high.

Metro spokesperson Thomas McNaughton said it’s a remarkable milestone.

“Patronage figures were up 16 per cent in the 2023-24 Financial Year, which is incredible to see,” he said.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank the Timaru community for its amazing response to our MyWay service, and all the support they’ve shown to it,” Thomas added.

Councillor Joe Davies said he’s proud of Timaru’s patronage figures.

“It’s heartening to see Timaru embracing the service and choosing public transport as their preferred mode of travel,” he said.

The next focus for MyWay will be around optimisation.

“We recognise the performance pressures MyWay is under given its success, and the need to work within the current funding levels that have been approved by government through the National Land Transport Programme,” Thomas said.