The Camden Haven community will have access to cheaper bus fares from March 5.
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The change is line with the report findings from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) which involved a major review of fares for public bus services provided by private bus operators in rural and regional NSW.
The main finding of the report stated ‘subsidised public bus services in rural and regional NSW is to ensure people with limited transport options have reasonable access to their local communities’.
The IPART review found that most current fares are higher than people are willing and able to pay, particularly those who are ineligible for concession fares.
Under the change the report states the adult fare for a single journey would decrease by an average of around 29 per cent from March 5, 2018.
“Adult passengers taking the most common journey in rural and regional NSW would pay up to half of what they do today,” it said.
Lake Cathie resident Jessie was at the Bold Street, Laurieton bus stop on Wednesday, February 21 and she said the price difference would be a good change for all.
“I think it brings it more in line with the cost of transport in Sydney, as we don’t have the opal card here,” she said.
Jessie often travels to town to do her shopping and said it usually costs her about $10 to travel from Laurieton back home to Lake Cathie.
The report outlines IPART determined the maximum fares to apply for the period March 5, 2018 to December, 31 2020.
Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said the change is great news for local Busways customers.
“For too long many buses driving on local routes were mostly empty,” she said.
“With these new fares I would expect to see an increase in patronage on local buses.”
“The new pricing structure will see the creation of 10 standard fare bands across regional NSW with the maximum adult fare for a short trip of three kilometres set at just $2.30.
“A new daily ticket allowing for unlimited travel on short trips will be $6.90.
“If people are travelling from Laurieton to Port Macquarie the cost will be $7.20 down from $13.30, from Lighthouse Beach into Port Macquarie people will pay $3.40 down from $5.70 or from Port Macquarie CBD to the hospital the cost will now be $3.40 down from $5.
“For some residents it will be easier and cheaper to leave the car at home and catch a bus into town instead of trying to find a parking spot.”
