A free shuttle bus trial has eased parking pressures during a busy summer season for Mt Taranaki.

The weekend-only shuttle runs hourly from 9am to 5pm between Volcano View Cafe and North Egmont Visitor Centre – a 10km trip.

Jointly funded by New Plymouth District Council and DOC, the trial will run until the last weekend of April.

“More and more people are coming to our region and this service helps people get out and about on our maunga without causing traffic congestion on Egmont Road and at the visitor centre car park,” council infrastructure manager David Langford said.

“We’ve been delighted with the response to the service – so far it seems to be working well.”

The North Egmont Visitor Centre provides access to Maketawa Hut, Holly Hut, the Kokowai Track, and the popular summit route, as well as a number of short walks.

Good weather in the region had seen the car park filling up completely, with cars using the access road as overflow parking.

A review at the end of the trial will determine whether the service will remain free in future.