No way for MyWay to have cheap fares
Passengers using Timaru’s on-demand public transport will continue to pay full price fares even though the Government has extended its half-priced fares scheme.
MyWay by Metro, which is run by Environment Canterbury, was not included in the scheme due to the ‘‘unique challenges a rapid increase in patronage would cause to an ondemand service’’, the council’s senior manager public transport Stewart Gibbon said yesterday.
The Government, during the 2022 Budget announcement on May 19, said half-price fares will be extended for a further two months to tackle the increasing cost-of-living.
‘‘We are monitoring the impact of the fare discount on our fixed routes – Timaru Link and school services,’’ Gibbon said.
‘‘Patronage for fixed route services in Timaru have remained relatively steady at around 40% of pre-Covid numbers.
‘‘While a dip was noted in the last two weeks of March, after 50% fares were introduced on April 1, fixed route patronage has progressively returned to settle again around 40% of pre-Covid numbers.’’
He said ECan has no plans to expand the area covered by MyWay but will continue to improve the service to meet customer demand and will be adding three new super low-floor vehicles and upgrading the service technology.
Gibbon has previously said MyWay operates differently to a traditional fixed bus route service.
‘‘While generally this is a good thing, as we can be flexible and innovative, it doesn’t enable us to meet a sudden, significant or unplanned increase in demand.
‘‘As with most industries, public transport is experiencing staffing challenges around the country due to Omicron.
‘‘Although MyWay has capacity for some patronage growth, we couldn’t guarantee that seats would be available at our busier times throughout the day if fares were halved.’’
ECan half-price fares are available on Timaru’s Link, school and Temuka services and Total Mobility services also receive the discount.