North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Fares drop delights commuter
Commuter Natasha Puketapu thought there had been some sort of mistake when she tagged off the bus in Auckland CBD last Monday.
‘‘It wasn’t nearly enough,’’ Puketapu says.
‘‘It took me by surprise.’’ Puketapu is one of many North Shore residents to benefit from Auckland Transport’s cheaper transport fares.
The Simpler Fares system came into effect August 14 and introduces a new zone-based public transport system, which sees commuters saving money.
Auckland Transport’s public transport commercial manager Colin Homan says this is a ‘‘significant change’’ to Auckland’s transport.
‘‘It’s much easier for people to work out their fare before they travel,’’ Homan says.
Glenfield resident Puketapu travels to her recruitment consultant job in the the CBD every day.
‘‘I only pay $6.20 to-and-from work.
‘‘I’ve worked it out, I save about $20 a week,’’ she says.
‘‘It doesn’t sound like much but, when you think about it, I was spending $50.’’
‘‘So, that’s a huge chunk. I was stoked.’’
Travelling from Glenfield to the city crosses two zones, the North Shore and the City zones, so the fare is $3.10.
Within the North Shore all fares are $1.80, as it is just one zone.
In addition, the new zones allow passengers to jump from bus to train as they wish and still only pay from destination A to destination B.
‘‘Tag on and off each bus and train as you do now, and at the end of your journey you will be charged a single fare,’’ Homan says.
The limit is five buses or train changes within four hours, with a maximum transfer time of 30 minutes, he says.
Puketapu was excited about the drop in fares, and spoke to the North Shore Times because she wants other commuters to take advantage of cheaper transport.
‘‘There are no parking fees, traffic or petrol to pay,’’ she says.
‘‘I still have a car, but it is just as convenient to take a bus.’’
Auckland Transport’s website has more information on zone boundaries and how to calculate your journey cost.
Visit at.govt.nz for more information.