Cheaper weekend Wellington City bus fares for Christmas

Wellingtonians can look forward to cheaper weekend bus fares for four weeks from 28 November. The yellow Go Wellington buses will change to a $1 fare for one zone of travel and a $2 adult fare and $1.50 child fare for two or three zones of travel to encourage people to use this public transport option for travel into and from the central city.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says this public transport initiative will help to get more Wellingtonians onto buses and into the central city during the busy weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

"This initiative will provide a welcome boost for retail sales."

Councillor Iona Pannett, Chair of Wellington City Council's Environment Committee, who moved the idea into the budget, says the cheaper bus fares bring multiple benefits to the city.

"This shows support for an environmentally sustainable travel option for people who want to go shopping in the central city and don't want to have to worry about congestion or parking time limits.

"Wellington City Council first proposed this initiative in February this year and I'm thrilled that it's going ahead in time for Christmas."

Chris Laidlaw, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council which plans and manages public transport throughout the region, says it will be interesting to see how the initiative goes.

"We'd be delighted to see more people leaving their cars at home and getting onto public transport - if this initiative encourages more people to get on board and give public transport a go, that's fantastic."

Wellington City Council has budgeted $200,000 for this initiative. The cheaper fares can be paid by cash or with a Snapper card. The changes will be in effect from beginning of service on Saturday 28 November (excluding all after midnight services, Airport Flyer and Valley Flyer, Mana and Tranz Metro services), each weekend through to the last service Sunday 20 December.