Fair fare arrives as city bus rivals unite

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Auckland's seven public transport operators are dropping their competitive guards to try to give passengers something they have long asked for - one ticket that can be used for a combination of bus, train or ferry trips.

After years of talk of a single ticket, from today a new $12 integrated pass will allow unlimited travel on the region's scheduled bus, ferry and train services for any 24-hour period.

During a six-month trial, the pass will be accepted on bus and train services within the region bounded by Wenderholm, Waimauku, Beachlands and Papakura.

It also covers the inner-city Link service and Auckland's harbour ferry services except for Half Moon Bay and Waiheke.

Tickets can be bought from bus drivers, train guards and at the downtown ferry terminal.

The ticket operates from the day's first scheduled service to the last and offers savings for passengers because previously a separate ticket had to be bought for travel with each operator.

Costs of running the pass system will be picked up by operators.

The pass marks a milestone in co-operation by Auckland's various transport operators, who compete with each other for contracts and jealously guard their business information.

"Any integrated ticketing system depends on trust," said the chief executive of the Bus and Coach Association, John Collyns.

"This is the first time Auckland's public transport operators have come together to share information about passenger numbers and revenue."

Operators were united, however, in their opposition last year to an electronic ticketing proposal which has been investigated by the Auckland Regional Council for several years.

The electronic proposal would have cost $30 million to buy and $6 million a year to run.

Mr Collyns said operators shied from that proposal.

They decided to test their own simpler and cheaper version of passes in order to gauge the market size and the public response before committing themselves to an electronic system.

Operators were not opposed to the idea of an electronic integrated ticketing system, said Mr Collyns.

However, they believed the ARC proposal was premature, because there was no such system operating commercially anywhere in the world with operator support.

Operators preferred to wait until development and operational problems were ironed out in a city comparable to Auckland and a system could be bought with minimal risk.

Mr Collyns said the ARC and the operators were working through issues in finding an electronic system that suited all.

The ARC plans to spend $240,000 this year on further work.

Mr Collyns said any system was "years away" and although the simple system under trial was not all the ARC wanted, it was a first step towards meeting some of the needs of what a lot of people desired.

"After we get more used to working with each other and running a system we can look at extending it, for example, to area passes and monthly passes."

Operators taking part are Tranz Metro, Stagecoach Auckland, Fullers Auckland, Urban Express, Howick and Eastern Buses, Ritchies and Birkenhead Transport.

How the ticket saves

* Botany Downs - Takapuna

Howick & Eastern, Stagecoach

normal return cash fare $14.80

save $2.80

* Lincoln Rd, Henderson - Devonport

Ritchies, Fullers

normal return cash fare $18.40

save $6.40

* Beach Haven - Penrose

Birkenhead, Stagecoach

normal return cash fare $15

save $3

* West Ranui - Manukau City Centre

Tranz-Metro to Newmarket, then Stagecoach

Normal return cash fare $17.40

saving $5.40