Easier and fairer bus fares

Plans to make bus fares easier to understand have been proposed in Christchurch.

Environment Canterbury is asking for people's opinions on the changes, which, if approved, would reward regular users, introduce a fairer pricing structure and make the system less confusing.

A leaflet on the proposal is available from Environment Canterbury Customer Services 365 3828 or 0800 ECINFO (324 636).
Submissions and comments can be made until March 8, 2001 on the form in the leaflet, or you can write directly to: Ticketing Consultation, Passenger Services, Environment Canterbury, Freepost 1201, PO Box 345, Christchurch (A stamp is not necessary).

If they get the go ahead, the new fares will coincide with the introduction of an electronic travel card.

"Essentially there will only be two types of tickets," explains Cr Diana Shand, Environment Canterbury passenger transport portfolio chairperson.
"A $3 travel card fare for unlimited all-day travel and a $2 cash fare for unlimited travel within the hour.
Both tickets can be used for transfers and across all bus operators."

People who used the travel card five days in a row, would receive two days free travel.

Children and IHC members would still travel at half price.

Cr Shand said people who made a single trip a day, and those who were used to paying $1 one-section fares could pay more under the new proposal (depending how many trips they combined in a single day of travel).
But the majority will be better off with the new system.

The electronic card can be registered to the user and can be blocked if it is lost or stolen. Money loaded on a stolen or lost card that has been registered, can be transferred to a replacement card.

Some people have asked for a special fare for pensioners, students and beneficiaries. Research conducted amongst all these user groups showed that it would be seen to favour one group over the other and may also exclude working families on very low incomes.

The new system would make bus fares affordable for all groups, with discounts for those that travel the most.

Consultation with over 600 bus users so far has shown that many people are confused by the current fares system with the different fares for different bus "sections" or distances travelled. The current four-hour time limit on tickets was also felt to be too restrictive.

There was an overwhelming demand for a system that was fair and easy to understand and operates across all bus companies.

According to the latest Environment Canterbury bus user survey, about 17 per cent of all passengers are aged over 60 years. "The over 60 category is up from 12 per cent the year before - it represents our fastest growing group of passengers and is a crucial voice in this fare review," Cr Shand says.

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