Queenstown bus usage has boomed in response to $2 fares, and Dunedin passenger trips are up another 11% this year as last year’s service improvements bear fruit.

A report to the council’s Finance and Corporate Committee today showed Queenstown’s new public transport service is continuing to exceed expectations, with the number of passengers carried almost triple in June, compared with last year. Orbus Queenstown users took 102,290 trips in June (June 2017: 35,063), a 192% increase.

The Orbus Queenstown system of $2 flat fares was launched in November last year, with more frequent bus services and new routes.

For the six months to June, bus patronage was two-and-a-half times the same time last year, jumping by 153% to 607,609 trips (2007: 240,076). Fare revenue has not suffered through the slashing of the fare price, rising 4%.

The Dunedin public also appear to be embracing the improvements to its bus system. Last September, the council further increased timetable frequency and simplified the routes.

Patronage in June increased by 10% to 203,698 trips (June 2017: 186,013). For the six months to June, usage increased by 11% to 1,207,813 (2017: 1,086,825).

© Scoop Media