Bee Card smart and travel by bus for half usual price

Bay of Plenty bus fares are half price for three months from this month as the Government-funded discount on public transport fares initiative begins.

All Bay of Plenty Regional Council contracted bus services, including Bayhopper, Cityride and Eastern Bay services, will have half price concession and cash fares. The discounted fares apply from April 1 until June 30, across all councilfunded routes in Tauranga, Rotorua, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Omokoroa, Katikati and Waih¯ı Beach services.

This includes route 85 Town Connector and all Tertiary Services: 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105. The half price scheme will also include Total Mobility services, up to the $25 per trip limit.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council public transport committee chairman

Andrew von Dadelszen says the half price fares initiative will be a great way to support existing and new bus users across the Bay of Plenty.

“We are really pleased to be providing half price bus fares to the community over the next three months, and if people haven’t already, we strongly recommend they use this opportunity to get their Bee Card and give the bus services a go,” von Dadelszen says.

The Government recently announced half price public transport fares, for a three-month period. Their transport package aims to support Kiwis through the current international energy crisis and rising costs of living.

Bee cards cost $5 and can be obtained from regional council offices in Tauranga, Rotorua and

Whakata¯ne. They enable faster boarding and offer cheaper fares.

Due to the impacts of Omicron, bus services in Tauranga are temporarily operating on a reduced timetable, so passengers are strongly encouraged to check the Baybus website at www. baybus.co.nz each time they travel for any updates to the timetables, or call 0800 4 Baybus for the latest information.