Mon 12 Sep 2016

It keeps getting easier to take advantage of the cheaper Taranaki bus fares available to those who use pre-paid electronic Smart Cards.

Smart Card users could previously only top them up on a bus, but more options were provided in July and as of this month, Taranaki has its full, planned complement of top-up sites.

Smart Cards are available for users of Citylink bus services in New Plymouth (including Waitara, Bell Block and Oakura), and the Hawera-New Plymouth Connector bus service.

Citylink users can now top up their cards at the Puke Ariki i-SITE and the Ariki St Bus Centre in New Plymouth, and the libraries at Bell Block and Waitara.

Connector passengers can top up their cards at the Puke Ariki i-SITE and the Ariki St Bus Centre in New Plymouth, the Stratford i-SITE and the Hawera i-SITE.

All of these outlets also sell Smart Cards, and have timetables available.

“The additional ticketing machines at these locations will make it easier for passengers and drivers alike, removing the need to top-up the cards on the bus,” says the Taranaki Regional Council Transport Services Manager, Chris Clarke.

“Smart Cards offer a significant discount over cash fares, because they bring operational and financial efficiencies. We’re very pleased to make it easier for passengers to use them.”

The minimum top-up amount has also been reduced, to $5 from $10.

The Citylink and Connector services are provided by the Taranaki Regional Council and operated by contractors Tranzit Coachlines (Citylink) and Pickering Motors (Connector). For timetables and fares, go to www.taranakibus.info.

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