Time For Students To Jump On The Bus

February 17 2014

Time For Students To Jump On The Bus

Textbooks, T-shirts, and lecture notes should be easier to spot on local buses as students are encouraged to try public transport.

Over a trial period from today (17 February), all Dunedin tertiary students with a GoCard and a valid student ID can bus around the city for less.

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) along with the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA), and the Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA) is trialling a 25% student discount off bus fares (when using a valid student ID and GoCard) until the end of April.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said it’s a great chance for more students to start to use the local bus network, and see how it can take them all over Dunedin.

“Students make up a big part of Dunedin’s population, I hope as many of them as possible make the most of this extra discount, and ride the bus to their lectures or around the city.”

Mr Woodhead said as part of the trial all first year tertiary students at the University of Otago, Otago and Aoraki Polytechnics (around 6,200) will receive a free GoCard (normally $5) as an additional incentive for them to use the buses.

OUSA president Ruby Sycamore-Smith said the University Book Shop now offers GoCard facilities including issuing and topping up cards both on campus, and in Great King Street.

“We’re making things as easy as possible for students to use the buses,” she said.

OPSA president Rebecca Swindells said students have been calling for a bus discount for some time, and they need to get behind the trial.

“Many students are on tight budgets, parking is expensive and in limited supply, so the more students that use buses the more money is in their pockets, and the less pressure on the campus and the environment,” she said.

The trial runs from Monday 17 February through to Wednesday 30 April. The ORC will review the results to determine if a longer term student discount will be offered, Mr Woodhead said.

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