Editorial: Free fares a winner especially when one is in pain

Free bus fares great incentive to leave the car at home when visiting Hawke's Bay Hospital.

Finding a park can be one of life's pains.

I don't have much patience so you don't want to be in the car with me as I'm driving around the car park looking for a free spot.

I may start to mutter about being in a hurry and I'll definitely moan when another car comes across a driver leaving before I do.

Or even worse you go down the wrong row and then see a car pulling out behind you - if only you'd sat patiently in one spot to wait.

This was a common occurrence a few years back when I was an outpatient having follow-up appointments on a broken elbow.

I spent 15 minutes looking for a park one day and was almost late for my appointment.

However, now outpatients have the option of taking the bus for free to appointments.

Hawke's Bay District Health Board said its investment in offering free bus fares for people attending outpatient appointments at Hawke's Bay Hospital and Napier Health is making in impact.

About 345 outpatients have chosen to take the bus during its first month of operation. That's a 61 per cent increase in bus patronage.

Outpatients just need to show their appointment card or text reminder to the bus driver to get on the bus network for free. Their support person also gets a free ride.

I think this is a great initiative which I would have used myself - especially when I was still unable to drive.

And as parking at the hospital now comes at a cost - it is another incentive to take the bus.