Fuel Prices See Intercity Ticket Sales Up

13 April 2006

Increasing Fuel Prices See Intercity Coachlines Easter Ticket Sales Up 22 Percent

As Kiwis and visitors to New Zealand plan their domestic travel for the Easter break, InterCity Coachlines has experienced a 22 percent increase in initial booking figures for this period compared to this time last year.

InterCity Coachlines Chief Executive, Malcolm Johns, believes this increase is largely due to more people opting for public transport as the cost of fuel increases.

"Our initial booking sales for Easter are up 20 percent in the North Island and 27 percent in the South Island and we believe this substantial increase is a flow-on effect from the current costs associated with self-drive and air travel," he says.

InterCity Coachlines carry 1.1 million passengers each year and operates 130 daily services to 600 cities and towns throughout New Zealand.

"We are finding that more and more people are opting to use our services as a convenient and cost effective way to get from A to B."

"InterCity Coachlines is New Zealand's only long distance passenger transport system for the majority of communities throughout New Zealand," says Mr. Johns.

To manage the Easter rush, InterCity Coachlines has put on extra buses for its most popular Auckland to Wellington service. This Thursday from 7.20pm, three additional coaches will be leaving the Sky City Auckland Terminal, boosting the Easter Auckland - Wellington services to five coaches.

To cope with increased number of passengers on the platform this coming Thursday evening, InterCity Coachlines will be putting on extra staff to help process passengers and will also be spreading "Easter Cheer" amongst travellers by organising a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

"We want to take the hassle out of travel for our passengers and help them arrive at their destination feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy their Easter holiday," said Mr Johns.

ENDS

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