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Under a Government initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Development, from 1 November SuperGold Card holders will be able to travel free on CityLink buses within Whangarei’s urban area from 9am to 3pm and from 6.30pm to end of service Monday to Friday.  They will also be able to travel free all day on Saturdays and public holidays.

Chris Powell, Transport Operations Programme Manager for the Northland Regional Council (NRC), says eligible passengers will need to show their SuperGold Card to the bus driver.  (SuperGold Card is available to all eligible New Zealanders 65 years or over and those under 65 receiving New Zealand Superannuation or the Veteran’s Pension.)

“Unfortunately, no other identification will be accepted by drivers if you don’t have your SuperGold card. “

Mr Powell says the SuperGold bus scheme is being rolled out across New Zealand in October and November.

He says the scheme’s introduction in Whangarei, Taranaki and Southland’s West Coast had been delayed until 1 November – with the Government’s agreement – to enable funding issues to be clarified.

“The NRC is expecting the free SuperGold trips to be popular with eligible Whangarei people.  Originally, we had some concerns the level of funding initially proposed by Government in Northland might not cover all of the costs involved.”

Mr Powell says had this occurred, Whangarei ratepayers would have been left to cover shortfalls which could have amounted to many thousands of dollars annually.

However, the Council had recently secured written confirmation that Government funding for the scheme would be guaranteed in the event of any financial shortfalls.

Mr Powell says anyone wanting more detailed information on the free services available in Whangarei can contact the Northland Regional Council on (09) 438 4639 or visit www.nrc.govt.nz/bus