New Zealand / Transport

Otago Regional Council votes to keep half-price bus fares for children

17:40 pm on 24 March 2024

(File photo.) Photo: RNZ / Tim Brown

Children will continue to travel free on Otago buses when the government withdraws funding for subsidised fares at the end of April.

The Otago Regional Council has voted to continue funding free fares from children aged five to 12 years old.

The government's Community Connect fare subsidy for those aged 13 to 24 ends on 1 May.

The half-price concession remains for those with a Community Services card or on total mobility services.

Council chair Gretchen Robertson said there was a real demand for public transport and they wanted to continue making it accessible and affordable for their youngest passengers.