A Government offer of half-price bus fares for three months may be extended to free fares, if the Bay of Plenty Regional Council agrees.
At a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Public Transport committee last week, the regional council's transport and urban planning manager spoke to councillors about the half-price fare reduction announced last week, which applies to public transport contracted by the regional council.
He said the Government would be covering all costs incurred by the offer, from April 1 until June 30, including any expense around making the change, such as changes in ticketing.
Regional councillor Norm Bruning described the Government announcement as a "golden opportunity" to test consumer appetite for free bus fares.
"I'd have to see the figures before I voted for it, but if it's not going to cost us that much money, why don't we take it further and make it a free bus service for three months."