Fuel price boost for buses

The rising price of fuel is boosting the business of bus service provider InterCity Coachlines.

Chief executive Malcolm Johns said results for the Easter period were yet to be determined but initial bookings had been 23 per cent up on last year.

Johns said rising petrol prices was leading more people to leave their cars at home. "We've seen a relatively steady rise overall," he said.

"We estimate something in the order of 6 to 8 per cent in the last 12 months of our passenger growth was fuel related."

The company carries about 1.1 million passengers each year and operates 130 daily services to 600 cities and towns nationwide.

There was no reason to believe this trend would not continue, he added. "If you are running your own vehicle you bear 100 per cent of the cost increase. If you're sitting on a coach with 40 others then the increase is shared among 40."