Fewer bus trips in Greater Christchurch in 2019 - and few councillors taking the bus

Wednesday, 11 March 2020

The number of bus trips across Greater Christchurch and Timaru decreased by 3.5 per cent from July 1 to December 31, 2019, compared to the same period the year before.

With public transport numbers down, only one Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillor says they almost always take the bus to work.

Many of the 13 councillors who responded to questions by Stuff expressed concern at the drop in patronage, but others including chair Jenny Hughey said they were not concerned, putting the decrease down to number counting processes.

The number of bus trips across Greater Christchurch and Timaru decreased by 3.5 per cent from July 1 to December 31, 2019, compared to the same period the year before, driven by decreased patronage in Christchurch.

ECan senior public transport manager Stewart Gibbon said the drop was because of fewer transfers due to factors including the relocation of high schools such as Avonside Girls' and Shirley Boys'. It meant students could access schools more directly, which was a positive, he said.

Only one ECan councillor says they almost always take the bus to work.

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However, in response to further questions, Gibbon said it would be reasonable to expect to see patronage increase as a general response to population growth.

Vicky Southworth was the only councillor who said she almost exclusively used public transport to get to work, but councillors Phil Clearwater and Nicole Marshall said they regularly used public transport. Cr Lan Pham said her main mode of transport to work was biking. Clearwater also biked at least twice a week, and Cr Craig Pauling said he biked about 50 per cent of the time.

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Cr Tane Apanui said his main way of getting to work was by car, as it took 20 minutes compared to an hour on the bus.

Councillors who lived outside Christchurch did not take public transport to work, saying there was limited or no service. Cr Elizabeth McKenzie, who lives in Fairlie, said she wanted to try hitchhiking from Fairlie to Christchurch. She also raised the idea of trialling rideshare shelters – locations people could safely wait for rides – in rural towns.

ECan declared a climate change emergency last year. In Christchurch, 53 per cent of emissions come from transport. Stuff asked all councillors if they thought high car ownership rates and use was a problem. Southworth thought it was, citing emissions and worsening congestion. Buses and other forms of public transport were key to solving these issues, she said.

However, others were less concerned. Apanui did not think high car ownership rates and use was a problem, while Hughey said there was a range of factors at play. 'In a spread out town like Christchurch with no obvious city centre it makes sense to me,' Cr Ian Mackenzie said.

ECan's total operating budget for 2019-20 was $189.2 million. Public transport amounted to $83.9m (including NZ Transport Agency funding), or 44.3 per cent.

Stuff also asked councillors how ECan could promote public transport use.

Southworth said increasing frequency and reliability was important. ECan needed to explore ways to shorten journey times, such as by providing express services for outer suburbs, she said. The cost of the Metrocard (currently $10) should be reduced and the minimum top up required (also $10 currently) should be lowered, she said.

Pham pointed to the recent changes in ECan's bus contracts, which secured more electric and low emission vehicles, three bike racks on all new vehicles and replacements and USB ports on all new vehicles.

Clearwater suggested forming partnerships with Ara and the University of Canterbury so students aged over 18 still received a fare subsidy. There should also be free wi-fi on all buses, he said. Apanui said the city should have a train system.

Business cases to improve the bus network in Greater Christchurch are under way. Government funding has been allocated for a further business case exploring mass rapid transit options.

Gibbon said engagement with public transport continued to be below expectations. Reasons for this included how easy it was to drive in Christchurch, due to limited congestion, multiple route choices and low cost or free parking; public transport not being convenient enough for many people; and an urban form with distributed employment and residential living.

'Addressing these issues forms the basis of the current work underway in the Public Transport Futures Business Case, which is defining how we can make public transport a more attractive and competitive mode choice versus driving.'