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Free off-peak travel for SuperGold Card holders from 1 October

More than 40 000 older people in the Bay of Plenty will be eligible for free travel on off-peak public transport services from next week.

Environment Bay of Plenty is being funded to provide SuperGold Card holders with free off-peak travel on scheduled public transport services from Wednesday 1 October 2008.

Free bus travel is available on Tauranga, Katikati, Ohope, Murupara and Rotorua urban services.

Transport Committee chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said the free travel would enable mature residents to explore the beautiful region and maintain their independence.

"Sixties are the new forties. Many of our 65-year-old-plus residents and visitors are still fit, active and work part-time or undertake voluntary work. From October they will be able to commute outside of peak hours for free and experience the difference this makes to their bank balance and the environment," Mr von Dadelszen said.

The New Zealand Household Travel Survey shows most people aged 65-years-old and older do most of their public transport travel during off-peak hours, making an estimated eight million trips per year on buses and trains.

Off peak hours in the Bay of Plenty are from 9 am to 3 pm and from 6:30 pm to the end of service on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays.

A full list of eligible services in Bay of Plenty is available from 0800 4 BAYBUS.

Environment Bay of Plenty is working to extend free travel for Supergold Card holders to Rotorua, Matata and on its remaining Eastern Bay of Plenty services before the end of the year.

The SuperGold Card is available to all eligible New Zealanders aged 65 years old or older and those under this age who receive the New Zealand Superannuation or the Veterans Pension. The card was launched in August 2007, providing access to business discounts, government and local authority services, entitlements and concessions.

Questions and Answers

What transport concessions are available to SuperGold Card holders?
Card holders will be entitled to free off-peak public transport services within a region.

What times are ‘off-peak’?
Councils will be funded for SuperGold Card holders who travel between the hours of 9 am to 3 pm and from 6:30 pm to the end of service on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays. Councils may choose to provide free travel outside these hours at their own expense.

How can I get a SuperGold Card?
Contact the SuperGold Card Centre on 0800 25 45 65, e-mail info@supergold.govt.nz or download a copy of an application from www.supergold.govt.nz. You can also apply for a card at any Work and Income Service Centre.

More buses for Murupara

Murupara residents will get more buses from Tuesday 1 July 2008 when a new twice weekly service starts.

The new Tuesday and Thursday service will enable Murupara residents to travel to Rotorua CBD by bus more often. Previously the service only ran on Thursdays.

Regional Land Transport Committee chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said the services would be funded by Environment Bay of Plenty as part of its commitment to encouraging more people to use buses more often.

"This is great news for Murupara residents as it means more people can give the bus a go and use it to travel to Rotorua for shopping, appointments or to meet up with friends. This will also mean less cars on the road which improves traffic congestion and air quality," Mr von Dadelszen said.

The first bus leaves the Rotorua I-Site on Fenton Street at 8.15 am arriving in Murupara at 9 am. It leaves Murupara again around 9 am arriving in the Rotorua central mall at 10.15 am. The last bus leaves Rotorua at 1.30 pm arriving in Murupara at 2.40 pm.

The last service leaves Murupara at around 2.40 pm and arrives in Rotorua CBD at 3.25 pm. This enables passengers the opportunity to stay overnight in Rotorua.

The improved service coincides with the launch of a new Cityride bus contract with Reesby Buses, of Rotorua. Other improvements from 1 July include a later bus service on all 10 Cityride routes and a new hourly Sunday bus network on all 10 routes. There will also be more accessible, low floor buses introduced on the Ngongotaha, polytechnic and airport routes.

For more information call 0800 4 BAYBUS or visit www.baybus.co.nz.