A significant boost to public transport in the south-west of Greater Christchurch was agreed at today’s Environment Canterbury meeting.
Environment Canterbury Commissioners approved a new, competitive Metro fare structure for buses servicing Lincoln, Rolleston, Springston and Burnham towns. As well as existing services to the towns, the fares will cover the new Selwyn Star services, being launched in November. The three routes making up the Selwyn Star will be run by Leopard Coachlines, with bright yellow Metro livery.
The new Selwyn Star service will include increased weekend frequencies on the 81 Lincoln route, a new half-hourly City to Rolleston service (88) and an hourly Selwyn shuttle service (820) linking Burnham, Rolleston, Springston and Lincoln, and every two hours at weekends.
Environment Canterbury recognised the need to resolve fare and zoning anomalies before the Selwyn Star begins in two months, Commissioner Rex Williams said.
The more straightforward fare structure will make Metro highly competitive with the cost of running a car, he said. Travelling into Christchurch from Burnham or Rolleston will drop by $9 on the current Metrocard fare. An adult will pay $33 maximum with a Metrocard for any week, down from $42. Travel within the south-west zone (between towns) from November will cost less for most people at a maximum $23 weekly with Metrocard.
“We want to encourage people living in the south-west to use Lincoln and Rolleston for shopping and other business activities, aligning with the aims of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS),” he said. “Selwyn district towns have reported record population growth in recent years, creating their own urban activity centres, with many good local facilities for residents. Public transport can help people living in this area to access their local services and retail centres as safely and conveniently as possible.”
Environment Canterbury and the Selwyn District Council both recognise that greater use of Metro will improve accessibility and more sustainable travel within and beyond the district’s boundary, said Rex Williams. “Making it cheaper for residents to travel between each town, rather than having to commute into the city, is one way to do this and the new Selwyn Star will be a stylish and comfortable way to get about.
“The shuttle service is being introduced in response to public demand for a direct link between Lincoln and Rolleston and will provide an economic boost for the two key activity centres in the district.”
The same flat-fare structure is likely to be applied to the towns in the Waimakariri District. However, given the current review of the Northern Star services, fare changes would align with that review outcome, he said, and not occur for another year.
“These changes in the south-west may well be rolled out in a year’s time to the northern towns. Both districts are significant partners in the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, which recognises that a quality public transport service can make it easier for people to work and shop close to home and extend people’s choices.”
For more information: Commissioner Rex Williams, 021 334 197 or Wayne Holton-Jeffreys, Acting Director Operations Environment Canterbury 027 4326250.