MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Bus service streamlined for start of school year

Horizons Regional Council is encouraging students travelling to Rutherford Junior High to catch the Castlecliff urban bus service in 2013 in place of its Castlecliff to Rutherford school bus.

With the 8am urban service running at the same time as the school bus and stopping on Totara Street at 8.35am, Horizons transport planner Wayne Wallace says the decision to discontinue the morning school service made sense for both passengers and the council.

“Since changes to the Wanganui bus timetable in 2012 we’ve seen a bit of a drop in numbers on the morning school service from Castlecliff to Rutherford and suspect some of those who were using it have already made the switch,” Mr Wallace says.

“Fares are the same for students across all our bus services at $1.20 per trip with a GoCard or $1.50 cash. Students just need to be in school uniform or carrying school ID,” he says.

The afternoon service from Rutherford Junior High will continue to operate, departing from the school gate at 3.05pm Monday to Friday.

Mr Wallace says in general Wanganui bus patronage is increasing. Numbers have risen by five per cent in Wanganui over the past four years and he’s looking forward to seeing further growth in 2013.

“Rising petrol, car maintenance and petrol costs are all compelling reasons to go by bus and I think as people start to think more about these and environmental factors we’ll start to see some good growth in the number of people choosing public transport,” he says.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the change or bus services in general is encouraged to get in touch with Horizons’ transport team on toll free number 0508 800 800 or visit Horizons’ website www.horizons.govt.nz

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