Bus fares up 25% on January 5

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 2

Bus fares up 25% on January 5

Christchurch bus fares will rise 25 per cent on January 5. This means that a onesection fare will rise 10c to 50c. Children’s fares will rise 5c to 25c for one section. The rises were approved by the Christchurch Transport Board at its monthly meeting yesterday. Mr Clyde Sugden, chairman of the finance and administration com-

mittee, said almost half the increase was related to GST. Increasing fuel, power, and Post Office charges would also add to the board’s costs, he said. “The 200 per cent increase in the Accident Compensation levy just announced will add another $150,000 to our wages bill,” said Mr Sugden. An expected rate of

inflation of 15 per cent for next year also forced the board to raise its fares, he said. One member of the board, Ms Linda Purves, said fares should be decreased 25 per cent rather than increased. “By increasing fares you are just turning people away and running down the service,” she said. The board’s chairman, Mr Patrick Neary, said

Christchurch had the cheapest fares of all the main centres, even with the increases. “Take, for example, a six-section bus trip which will cost $1 in Christchurch,” he said. “It costs $3.10 in Auckland, $1.90 in Wellington, and $1.15 in Dunedin.” The board’s general manager, Mr Max Taylor said, “In real terms our fares are cheaper how than at any other time in

our 40-year history.” The board anticipates a 7.5 per cent decrease in patronage after the fares go up. “This means the net revenue increase from the fare rise will be 15.6 per cent, or $1.09 million,” said Mr Taylor. Off-peak fares between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays will rise to half of the new fares.