Improvements to Dunedin's Public Transport

摘要

Dunedin is another New Zealand city where public transport has been on the slide for many years and where rising fuel prices have caused the relevant authorities to change things in an attempt to improve patronage and amenity. In late November 2007 Otago Regional Council (ORC), Dunedin City Council (DCC) and local operators launched GoBus, a plan for major changes in the local bus services, including express commuter services along a route where there were once suburban trains. Information for this article was supplied by Otago Regional Council and Peter Rendall. All amounts mentioned in this report are in New Zealand Dollars. The first of the changes came into effect from 26 November 2007 and includes a number of new services and routes and introduces GoCard. GoCard is an integrated ticket which became operational in most Dunedin buses on that date. GoCard is a stored value smartcard and offers a 10% discount on the cash fare. GoCard was offered free in the first week if loaded with $20.00 or more, but a $5.00 fee usually applies. GoCard is available from the ORC GoBus stall in the City and from ORC offices. GoCard replaced multi trip tickets from 26 November. Current concession tickets will remained valid until 31 January 2008. Contracted GoBus services are required to provide the concessions: 10% discount on the adult and child cash fare for all passengers using GoCard; 25% discount on the adult cash fare is available only to beneficiaries using GoCard. Authorisation cards are available from the Otago Regional Council Office. Children up to and including the age of four are carried free. In the two weeks prior to the changeover new ticket machines were installed on all buses.