Bikes threat to buses?

Press, 15 May 1985, Page 9

Bikes threat to buses?

The growing number of cyclists in Christchurch is more of a threat to bus patronage than petrol price increases, the general manager of the Christchurch Transport Board, Mr Max Taylor, believes. Statistics showed that more people now cycled to work than took a bus, he told a board meeting yesterday. Experience had shown that petrol price increases

had little lasting effect on the level of patronage. No material gain to the board was expected as a result of the April 26 petrol price increase.

“Bicycles are a much more significant element of urban transport now than 18 years ago,” Mr Taylor said.

Bus fare increases had a significant effect on patronage, he said. Before the fare increase on January 7, patronage was growing

about 7.25 per cent a year. Patronage had levelled out after the fare increase to an estimated 15,500,000 journeys during the 1984-85 financial year.

This was an increase of 5 per cent over the previous year.

“The tapering-off of growth which followed the fare rise is a sign which must not be ignored,” said Mr Taylor.