Fare changes after government shifts
We are reassuring Metro and MyWay customers that our fares will mostly stay the same, including its $2 Greater Christchurch flat fare trial, following the government’s cancellation of some of its Community Connect concessions.
These changes will come into effect from 1 May. These are nationwide changes, decided by the new government.
One change to Metro concessions
The sole change for Metro’s Greater Christchurch customers is the government’s removal of the free concessions for 5-12-year-old's. This group will now need to pay $1 bus and $2 ferry concessions from 1 May.
We had already planned for the continuation of the Under 25 concession in its 2022/23 Annual Plan, as part of its flat fare trial. All other Metro concessions for Greater Christchurch will remain the same including Community Services Card holders, tertiary students and Total Mobility customers.
View Greater Christchurch Metro fares.
Top up child Metro cards
Children aged 5-12-years-old who use Metro services will need to start topping-up their Metro cards again to enable them to pay the $1 child fares from 1 May. Children under 5 will continue to travel for free without a Metrocard.
“We want to ensure parents and their children are aware of this change, well ahead of time,” Public Transport General Manager Stewart Gibbon said.
Flat fare trial tracking well
Our flat fare trial has helped highlight how cost-effective and convenient public transport is.
“We are extremely pleased with our flat fare trial which has now put our patronage back above pre-COVID levels and is on-track to record a post-earthquake patronage high," Stewart said.
Timaru fare changes
Timaru customers can expect slightly different fare changes.
“MyWay’s $1.50 child fare will remain. However, both the 5-12-year-old's Metro school and Metro Timaru concession, and under 25 MyWay concession will cease in Timaru on 30 April,” Stewart said.
“This means children travelling on our Metro school services will need to start paying the 95-cents per ride fare again,” he added.