Searail to raise fares for Cook Strait ferry

Press, 6 May 1988, Page 6

Searail to raise fares for Cook Strait ferry

PA Blenheim Cook Strait ferry fares are to increase on June 1 as a result of Searail restructuring its fare schedules. The manager of Searail ferries, Mr Ivan Gough, announced in Wellington yesterday that the schedule had been changed from three tariff periods to only two, with increases in some fares being offset by decreases for specific groups of travellers. Under the current system the three tariff

periods are bargain, standard and summer. From June 1 there will be no summer tariff. Mr Gough said that although the new standard fares were higher, the bargain season fares would be cheaper than present standard fares. He said the new schedule contained many improved concessions such as eary morning and late evening sailing discounts for off-peak travel, and benefits for over 60s and children aged 14

years or under. Week-end return fares would also be cheaper than last year. However, fares have increased for people travelling during the school holidays with a car, but without children. The Railways Corporation’s senior public relations manager, Mr Bill Hopper, said this morning that the restructuring had been carried out to make the schedules simpler, and to increase the company’s market share. The bargain tariff rate

wil apply from June 1 to August 18, and September 15 to December 8 this year, from February 9 to March 22, March 30 to May 3, and from May 25 to July 31 next year. The standard tariff will apply betwen August 19 and September 29, 1988, December 9, 1988 to February 8, 1989, March 23 to March 29, 1989, and from May 4 to May 24, 1989. Under the new fare structure the standard adult fare will increase

from $25 to $3O and the bargain fare from $2O to $24. The existing summer fare, which will be phased out, is $3O. Children’s fares (ages four to 14) will increase from $12.50 to $l5 during the standard season, and from $lO to $l2 during the bargain period. The present summer child fare is $l5. Children under the age of four travel free. The cost for a small vehicle during the standard season will increase by $2O up to $lOO, and by

$l5 up to $75 during the bargain period. Likewise large vehicle fares will rise to $lOO (previously $80) and $l3O (previously $100) during the bargain and standard seasons respectively. Similar increases will also come in for commercial vehicles. Mr Hopper said there had also been some changes in the special fare deals structure such as for day excursion trips, group savers, school savers, week-end savers, and golden age savers.