PRICES have been slashed on bus fares in the Hastings, up to 53 percent in some areas, following recommendations made by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
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Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams, announced the price drops on February 21. The changes are significant for those not with a pensioner or concession card.
For example, it would have cost the average traveller $9.70 to go from Port Central to Wauchope. It will now cost just $4.90, a 49 per cent decrease.
From Port Central to the Base Hospital is no longer $5 but $3.40, and rather than $13.30 to Laurieton it will cost $7.20.
The IPART review found that fares are higher than what customers are willing to pay which resulted in lower patronage on regional services.
Mrs Williams said it is great news for local Busways customers.
"For too long many buses driving on local routes were mostly empty,” she said.
“With these new fares I would expect to see an increase in patronage on local buses. On average fares will be around 30 per cent cheaper which makes using bus services more appealing to local residents.
“The new pricing structure will see the creation of 10 standard fare bands across regional NSW with the maximum adult fare for a short trip of three kilometres set at just $2.30."
A new daily ticket allowing for unlimited travel on short trips will be $6.90. The new fare structure is set to commence on March 5.
Local TAFE student Kathleen Davidson travels almost daily on the bus service and uses her concession card, enabling her unlimited use for the day for $2.50.
But before she received her card, she found it to be reasonably priced.
"I still think the pricing was decent, and still cheaper than taxis," she said
"The whole service is quite easy to use. I see a lot of elderly on the bus, and not many young people at all. The price change might encourage more people to use the bus service.
"But I don't see many people using the bus that aren't pensioners or concession holders."
The Government will also continue to investigate other recommendations from the IPART review such as restructuring services to better match emerging needs, including on demand services and improving operator cost efficiency.