Schoolhopper fares to rise in 2016 ~ Bay of Plenty Regional Council Announcement

Bus fares on Tauranga’s Schoolhopper bus network will increase in 2016.

The increase, to $1.51 from $1.15 for those using a Smartride Card and to $1.90 from $1.60 for a cashfare, will come into effect for the start of the 2016 school year. It will apply on both the Schoolhopper and Bayhopper networks.

Transport Policy Manager Garry Maloney said the change means the student fare will be standard across both the Tauranga urban Bayhopper and Schoolhopper networks from the start of Term 1, 2016.

“The increase has been made in line with other increases that occurred across the region on our networks earlier in the year, and follows the regional policy for setting fares,” Mr Maloney said.

“It puts more of the cost of the service onto those using it.”

He said the Regional Council was pleased to be able to offer the Schoolhopper service free for students in term one of 2015 and keep the fares as low as possible for the reminder of the year.

“However as part of the transition from the Ministry-funded service to the Schoolhopper network the service needs to pay more of its way like the other bus services funded by the Council and this means that the fare increase for 2016 is required.”