Getting to the airports

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33942, 8 September 1975, Page 12

Getting to the airports

Only a small percentage of those who fly in New Zealand now rely on the buses provided by the National Airways Corporation to get to and from the country’s airports. Faced with losses in providing this service, the corporation is considering stopping the service to a number of the country’s airport. The decision has already been made to do this at Nelson and the service to Christchurch airport is being examined. N.A.C. will almost certainly not lose any passengers if no buses are provided to most of the country’s airports. But the interests of those who fly and also want a relatively cheap journey between town centres and airports should not be disregarded.

Many New Zealand travellers, and probably some overseas tourists who are not travelling in an organised group, want the convenience and economy of a passenger service other than that provided by taxis. But their economies need not necessarily be at the expense of other air travellers, who indirectly subsidise any N.A.C. service that is run at a loss. At present, N.A.C. provides a full-size bus for almost every flight. These buses are seldom more than half full, even at such major airports as Christchurch. An alternative service that would meet travellers’ needs and pay its own way should not be beyond the corporation's devising. A limousine or mini-bus service, with provision for extra trips or additional vehicles at times when loadings are unusually heavy, would perhaps fill the bill. Such a service could be more convenient and frequent. It may have to cost a little more than the present bus service if it is not to run at a loss, but it would still be cheaper than taking a taxi to an individual destination. Such a service might follow the practice that works well in many cities abroad: the limousine route would include calls at the major inner-city hotels. An arrangement between N.A.C. and the local authorities which operate the airports might allow the service to be subsidised from the parking fees of those who drive private cars to and from the airport. The encouragement of public passenger transport is a matter of national policy and a public corporation should be urged to play its part in effecting that policy.