Free travel during the April 17-19 World Public Transport Day weekend almost doubled GoBay bus patronage compared with the same weekend last year.

Data from bus ticket machines shows that over the recent three-day free fares promotion, patronage averaged 1,183 passengers per day, a significant increase over the 599 average daily passengers recorded during the same period last year. Notably, patronage on both Saturday and Sunday more than doubled the historical average for this time of the year.

Both periods compared were in school holidays, where patronage is typically much less than a normal term-time day.

Regional Transport Committee Chair Neil Kirton says, “The free weekend was an invitation for people to give our buses a go. These numbers show that removing the need to pay a fare has created the right incentive for even more people to try the bus network out.”

The weekend numbers build on the steady growth recorded since network changes were introduced in January. Patronage gains have not been limited to the promotion period, however, with weekday travel during the recent April school holiday period averaging 1,713 passengers per day, a 34 per cent increase on the average 1,279 passengers per day recorded during the same period last year.

Mr Kirton says, “While it might take a while for new users to make public transport a habit, these early signals are very encouraging. Since the network update, we’ve already recorded a steady nine per cent increase in patronage. Once people try the service, they see the value in saving on parking, high fuel prices and the hassle of driving.”

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