A once-weekly return bus service is to start at Mamaku this month.

The old sawmilling town has almost become a backwater in the Rotorua hinterland, but in recent year it has become attractive to lifestylers.

Population increase appears to have justified the service which had ceased in the 1980s.

The service has been on the township's wish list for residents for some years, and it has also become a talking point in the recent local body elections campaign.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has restored the service which is to start on Tuesday October 15, and thereafter each Tuesday.

While praising the regional council for its initiative, Mamaku advocate and retiring councillor Charles Sturt has urged locals to use the service.

'Yes, we've got to give the credit to [the regional council] who have finally listened to locals who have been calling for this for at least six years,” says Charles.

'The council through the mayor [Steve Chadwick] who is on the Bay of Plenty transport committee has requested this service be reinstated for years.

'As a vocal advocate and chair of operations and monitoring committee, I've ensured every chance we get to put it on the agenda.

'Now it is up to locals to use this service to its max; if it's not used it will be withdrawn.

'It makes Mamaku a more attractive place to live so people can use the service for employment, learning and shopping.”

So, three cheers to those who finally agreed to it being trialled again.

'But it's got to be economical. So, I reiterate: if locals don't use it, it will be withdrawn,” says Charles.

The council's general manager of strategy and science, Namouta Poutasi, says the service has been developed through consultation with the Mamaku community.

'There's been a lot of growth in and around Mamaku village over the last few years and it's good to be able to act on the community request for a bus service,” says Namouta.

'Mamaku has undergone a resurgence and the service will provide for a rural community that was isolated by its distance from town.”

The service will leave from Mamaku Village at 9.30am, travelling to the Rotorua CBD via Ngongotaha, and returning to the village at 2pm from the Rotorua city centre.

SuperGold card holders will travel free.

The route and timetable can be found at Baybus.co.nz