Easier Bus Fares and Zones

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has reviewed bus fares and zones to coincide with the new operator Go Bus taking over the urban service on Monday 2 February 2009.

While there will be no changes to times or routes, a simpler two-zone service will operate from 2 February 2009 and some fares will be cheaper.

Napier, Tamatea, Taradale, Taradale Shops and EIT will be one zone; while Hastings, Havelock North, Flaxmere, EIT and Taradale Shops will also be one zone. Passengers travelling to/ from Taradale Shops or EIT will only pay a one zone fare regardless of where their journey begins or ends.

The Regional Council has simplified the fare structure and will be promoting Smartcards as the most cost-effective option for regular bus users.

Fares

Single trip – cash fares

Zone

Adult Tertiary/

Beneficiary/ Disabled Child/

Senior
1 $3.00 $2.00 $1.50
2 $4.50 $3.00 $2.50

Smartcard fares (to replace the 10-trip ticket)

Zone

Adult Tertiary/

Beneficiary/ Disabled Child/

Senior
1 $2.50 $1.60 $1.20
2 $3.75 $2.40 $1.85

People who use the Commuter Express service won’t see any change to the $3.50 single trip cash fare, or $3.00 Smartcard fare, although the 10-trip tickets will be phased out.

New Smartcard technology will follow in February to replace the 10-trip tickets, which will be accepted until the end of March 2009.

The transfer fare will be abolished, allowing passengers to transfer to any other service within the same zone, within one hour of purchase of their original ticket. SuperGold cardholders will still be able to travel free between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday and on any of the usual Saturday services.

The Regional Council will be supporting these changes with advertising, new timetables and flyers with all information available on the Council’s website at www.hbrc.govt.nz.