Connect bus services offer a way to keep petrol use down as fuel prices soar

Commuters across the Horizons Region could save hundreds of dollars a month by shifting from private cars to public buses, helping to relieve stress as petrol prices climb.

Horizons Regional Council’s Passenger Transport Committee chair Jono Naylor says the cost of daily commuting can quickly add up throughout the working week.
 
“Everyone has noticed the cost of fuel going up. Having to pay more for fuel means less money to go towards other essentials and/or local businesses we want to support in the current economic climate.
 
“For many commuters, especially those travelling across the region, using Connect’s bus services is a simple way to bring costs down.
 
“Even just one or two trips a week can make a difference, helping people to save money and put off filling up the car for a while longer.”
 
Using a registered Bee Card means people are able to take advantage of fare capping, says Cr Naylor.
 
“With fare capping, you only pay for a set number of trips each week before all other trips on all Connect’s services are free. This makes it easier to budget for travelling to and from work.”
 
A review of possible trips by commuters shows switching working day trips could create significant savings.
 

Commute	Driving (daily)	Driving – weekly (5 days)	Connect bus (daily)	Connect bus (weekly)	Potential savings (weekly)	Potential savings (monthly – four weeks)
Whanganui – Palmerston North	$39.07	$195.36	$14.30	$42.90	$152.46	$609.84
Levin – Palmerston North	$24.92	$124.61	$11	$33	$91.61	$366.44
Foxton – Palmerston North	$19.01	$95.04	$11	$33	$62.04	$248.16
Marton – Palmerston North	$22.70	$113.52	$11	$33	$80.52	$322.08
Feilding – Palmerston North	$10.24	$51.22	$7.70	$26.90	$24.32	$97.28
Ashhurst – Palmerston North	$8.29	$41.45	$4.40	$17.60	$23.85	$95.40

 
Estimates are based on the average petrol vehicle using 8L of fuel per 100 kilometres, with petrol priced at $3.30 per litre. Parking costs were not factored in as most CBDs across the region have free parking nearby. Ancillary costs (e.g. vehicle maintenance, warrant of fitness, registration) were not included. Bus fares are based on adult fares with someone using a registered Bee Card.
 
Cr Naylor says hitting the fare cap while commuting comes with the bonus of making other kinds of travel on Connect services free.
 
“For example, someone travelling between Whanganui and Palmerston North for work will be able to use Te Ngaru The Tide to travel into town on Friday night for free. Once the new Whanganui network begins on 17 April, there will also be increased Saturday services and the introduction of Sunday services to make the most of.

“Another example is someone travelling between Palmerston North and Feilding for work. That person would get free use of Feilding’s Orbiter service, or the fully electric Palmerston North and Ashhurst services.”

It is acknowledged commuting by bus will not work for everyone, says Cr Naylor.
 
“Using public transport helps to make roads clearer for those who do need to drive, such as tradespeople and courier drivers. It also helps the country to use less fuel, which – while the country is not having any supply issues – should help to keep prices down.”
 
While the example fares are for regional services, using urban services can also help the budget, says Cr Naylor.
 
“Using urban bus services is a practical option for city-based commuters looking to cut costs and have a stable budget each week thanks to fare capping. Someone making multiple trips a day – to work, taking the kids out and about, running errands or socialising in the evening – would make real savings using Connect bus services.
 
“There is also the benefit of avoiding the stress of having to drive, find a park, and the wear and tear on your vehicle. Furthermore, data shows public transport is the safest form of transport – even safer than walking – and helps to lower carbon emissions and air pollution.”
 
People who have not ridden a Connect service before and wanting advice, see https://www.horizons.govt.nz/buses-transport/riding-with-connect. 
 
For more information about public transport in the Horizons Region, including journey planning tools and information about how to get a Bee Card, see horizons.govt.nz/buses-transport or follow Connect - Horizons Regional Transport on Instagram and Facebook.