Bus centre revamp finally gets go-ahead | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Tauranga is about to enter a new era in public transport, with the council finally signing a $750,000 project to convert two downtown blocks into a bus centre.

Controversy has dogged the plan since Willow St's civic block was approved by a flimsy 4-2 vote last year when four councillors were absent.

The decision proved unpopular among Willow St retailers and saw mayoral contender Murray Guy spearhead community opposition.

Although  a faction of council continued to resist the plan yesterday, in the end it was won by a comfortable majority of 7-4.

The plan survived because of a series of compromises which eased the commercial pressure on the businesses most at risk, including Broncos Sports.

- Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times