Fare-ly easy system and kinder to wallets
A new bus fare system has been introduced in Taranaki to make bus travel easier, and for many users, cheaper too.
This week the number of bus fare zones in Taranaki reduced from 25 to just four. There will be a flat fare for all passengers within each zone, with an additional $1 for each boundary crossed.
For example, a trip anywhere within Zone 1 will cost Bee Card users $2. Zone 1 covers New Plymouth city and extends to Waitara, Oa¯kura and Egmont Village.
The changes affect Citylink school and urban services as well as the regional Connector and Southlink services.
Taranaki regional councillor and regional transport committee chairman Matthew McDonald says the new fare zones provide greater clarity to bus users.
He says the council is working hard to make public transport more user and environmentally friendly.
“Our community has told us they want more routes and buses that run more frequently. Getting our fare zones right is an important first step towards that.”
He says new route extensions will also be announced over the coming months.
The new fare zones will mean fare decreases for some users, with a saving of almost 50 per cent for some travellers.
South Taranaki passenger will benefit from a substantial price decrease, with a Connector fare from Ha¯wera to New Plymouth dropping from $9.60 to $5 with a Bee Card.
Other passengers will have to pay more than they are used to however, with child fares on the Citylink
services discontinued, adding 15¢-40¢ a ride. Concession fares for Community Services Card, Total Mobility Card and Access Card holders will also end, adding 20¢ a ride. Super Gold entitlements are unchanged.
The Bee Card is a bus payment card that allows users to “tag on and tag off” the bus. Cash fares are still accepted on the buses as well.
Council transport engagement manager Sarah Hiestand says this is the first time any bus fares have increased since 2008.
“The new system overall is expected to result in a small increase in revenue, which will be put straight back into delivering more and better bus services for the region.
“It’s always a balance between fares and public funding when it comes to buses and we believe we’ve got it right.”