news

Discounted fares to be extended on Metlink services until June 2023

Posted: 3 February 2023 | | No comments yet

In addition to easing the cost-of-living pressures for eligible Metlink customers, the half price fares will prepare passengers for the eventual release of the Community Connect scheme, which permanently reduces public transport fares by 50%.

Discounted fares to be extended on Metlink services until June 2023

Credit: Metlink

Metlink has announced that it has welcomed the New Zealand government’s extension of half price public transport fares until the end of June 2023. The extension, announced by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, is part of the government’s ongoing support intended to ease the cost-of-living pressures.

Metlink Commercial, Strategy & Investments Manager, Tim Shackleton, has said that the half price fares extension will enable passengers to prepare themselves for the eventual go live date for the Community Connect scheme, which permanently reduces public transport fares for Community Services Card (CSC) holders by 50%.

“With around 90,000 CSC holders in the Wellington region, Metlink has worked with the Ministry of Social Development to develop a system that provides quick and easy access to half price fares when the scheme rolls out,” said Tim Shackleton. “This is also another opportunity to remind Metlink’s Total Mobility users that the Community Connect scheme will include half price fares for the Total Mobility service. This is something we’re pleased about as it will benefit those unable to use public transport for a variety of reasons.”

The role of bus amidst a cost-of-living crisis

As well as community engagement and a full range of communications to help promote the Community Connect scheme in late 2023, an online portal has been developed so that CSC holders can register their Snapper cards before the discounts go live.

Once a passenger has registered the CSC discount to their card, the discounts will be automatically applied any time that they travel using their Snapper card on all Metlink buses and trains. This is now expected to come into effect from July 2023.

Related modes
,

Related cities

Related countries

Related organisations