Connect | Horizons Regional Transport
Horizons Regional Council is proud to introduce their new passenger transport brand, Connect. Over the next few years passenger transport in this region will see significant changes and improvements, that starts by creating a clear brand for our communities to connect with and ensuring key information is simple and accessible.
The brand will roll out slowly, starting in Whanganui, followed by timetables across Palmerston North and then across the rest of our services. You can expect to see transport updates on our social media in the new connect brand.
At Horizons, we help you get from A to B through the provision of public passenger transport services and a coordinated approach to regional transport planning. In doing so we chair the Regional Transport and Regional Passenger Transport Committees, develop and implement the
region's Public Transport Plan, subsidise passenger services in areas where they cannot be provided commercially, coordinate a community
road safety programme and manage the
Total Mobility service that provides discounted transport for people with disabilities.
Considering our geographical size and low population density, our region is relatively well served by public transport and our buses carry a higher ratio of passengers per head of population than some other similar regions. Our long-term vision is to provide a land transport system that is environmentally sound, safe, efficient, sustainable and accessible. Accessibility of public transport includes being financially affordable, so we subsidise public transport for the elderly, students and beneficiaries.
Real-time tracking
Most Horizons Regional bus services now have real-time tracking. This means you can find out how far away the bus is from your stop. Click here to try it out today.
Half price fares ending
From Saturday 1 July 2023, half price fares for all public transport users will end. The central government funded half price fares in a scheme which ran from April 2021 to 1 July 2023. This means our fares will return to full price. Fare pricing is available to view here (please note, fare information is subject to change and may differ from what is listed here. For the most up-to-date fare pricing, please ask your bus driver).
Community Connect Scheme
Starting Saturday 1 July 2023, the government's Community Connect Scheme will come into effect. This scheme affects Community Service Card holders, and will provide half price fares when presented to the bus driver. The scheme also covers adjusted fare prices for certain age ranges. The scheme will provide:
- Half price fares for Community Service Card holders
- Half price fares for 13 - 18 year olds (equates to half of a child fare)
- Half price fares for 19 - 24 year olds (equates to half of an adult fare)
- Free fares for 5 - 12 year olds
To access the above fares, bus users must present their Bee Card (which will have the Community Connect fare automatically registered to the card). If your service does not have a Bee Card reader, you must present your Community Services Card to your driver.
All other users will be subject to their full price fares or concessions from 1 July 2023.
Connect is now providing the Transit app for residents within the Horizons Region. The Transit app makes it easier to plan your journey, track where your bus is, and even use GO, the additional feature that helps you along your journey.
Download the Transit app free from the App Store or Google Play for your phone
Click here more information on how to use the Transit app.
Code of Conduct
We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience when they ride with us. That's why we have developed a code of conduct for our passenger transport services that outlines our expectations for all passengers. We ask that you treat our drivers and other passengers with respect and follow all safety guidelines. Additionally, we do not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or violence. Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in the loss of your right to use our bus services. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and respectful community on board.
Read the Code of Conduct here.
Pets on buses policy and guidelines
We have launched a trial policy allowing pets onboard our Connect urban bus services. This trial will run from May 2023 until end of October 2023.
Pets are allowed to travel on Connect urban bus services, provided they are enclosed within a suitable pet carrier. The pet carrier will need to be securely placed within the luggage storage or on their caregivers lap, pets are not permitted in the aisles or seats
The bus driver has the authority to refuse entry or remove pets and passengers if they believe they are a nuisance or a health and safety risk to themselves and/or passengers.
Read the full policy and guidelines here.