Wide range of services

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 27

Wide range of services

The purpose of the Christchurch Transport Board’s Bus ’n’ Win promotion is not only to encourage more people to travel by bus, but also to make them more aware of the various services it has to offer. Whether it is visitors to the city or regular commuters, physically disabled, passengers or a travelling sports team, the C.T.B. has something for everyone. Christchurch and its surrounding countryside offers a wide variety of attractions and sightseeing spots and the bonus, particularly for out-of-towners, is that most of these are accessible by bus. Tailor-made as an introduction to the city for tourists is the Christchurch Transport Board’s City and Suburbs Tour.

This two-hour trip takes in all the features that have given Christchurch its “Garden City” image, while the board’s Hills and Harbour Tour, another wellpatronised service, lasts three hours and incorporates a 40-minute launch trip around scenic Lyttelton Harbour. Making the proposition of bus travel especially attractive is the board’s half-fare scheme which allows adults to travel at child rates between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and, after 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and at all times on week-ends and public holidays. The scheme applies to all trips within the city as well as on the rural network which extends from Rangiora to Southbridge. It can cost as little as

$1.20 (half fare) for the trip from Christchurch to either of these two rural network extremities; timetables are well planned and provide a regular service to all country destinations. Carrying a sports team to Dunedin or taking conference delegates on a sightseeing trip to Akaroa is all in a day’s work for the C.T.B.’s bus charter service. It is not uncommon to see a “Big Red” far away from its home territory because the buses can be chartered to any part of the South Island. With only a few days’ notice, the C.T.B. can provide a reasonably flexible itinerary for any type of group. Concessions are available for buses chartered during off-peak periods and the

board encourages week-end use because a greater number of vehicles is available. One of its well-patronised services is the “Be Mobile” service which, using two specially-designed buses, transports physically disabled passengers door to door. There are now about 900 registered users of this service. To keep its patrons up to date with what is going on, the C.T.B. regularly produces information leaflets and brochures, covering everything from timetable alterations and new services to special trips and sightseeing tours. In addition, the board has a special timetable-route-fare inquiry number (794600) and keeps its Information Kiosk in Cathedral Square stocked with all the relevant information.