Taranaki Regional Council media release
13 September 2007
For immediate release

RIDE THE BUSES FOR FREE

Taranaki people will be able to ride for free on New Plymouth Citybus and South Taranaki South Link passenger services next week.

As a thank-you to all those supporting the current trial bus services in the region, adults will be able to travel for free on all six New Plymouth Citybus routes next Friday, 21 September. The offer does not apply to child fares.

Fares for all passengers – adults and children -- will be waived on South Link routes on Thursday, 20 September, and Friday, 21 September.

The South Link free fares apply to:

- All passengers on the Waverley-Hawera return and Opunake-Hawera return services on Thursday, 20 September.

- All passengers on the Opunake-New Plymouth return service on Friday 21 September.

The Citybus and South Link bus services are being funded on a trial basis by the Taranaki Regional Council, with support from the South Taranaki and New Plymouth District Councils.

Citybus services are operated by Okato Bus Lines, while Pickering Motors and Weir Bros operate the South Link routes.

Taranaki Regional Council Chief Executive Basil Chamberlain says the free bus days are a gesture of thanks for those who have been supporting the trial bus services – as well as an invitation for others to try them.

“In the nature of all trials, it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it’,” he says. “Here’s an easy way to vote with your feet and hop on the bus.”

For details of Citybus and South Link routes and timetables, see www.trc.govt.nz or www.okatobus.co.nz (Citybus).

As well as being a gesture of thanks, the promotion ties in with World Carfree Day, which is observed internationally on 22 September. See http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/ for more details.

ENDS

Web: www.trc.govt.nz

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