𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴

Whānau can get some relief from Christmas stress with free buses across Taranaki on the two days before the big event.

Drivers can also park more cheaply in Ngāmotu through the holiday season, with half-price fees into January and a carpark building free for two hours.

All city and regional buses will be free on December 23 and 24, with no pūtea or Bee Card needed.

Taranaki Regional Council says it wants to give whānau an affordable, convenient way to get around on the busiest shopping days of the year, with carparks filling up and traffic increasing.

“We know the days leading up to Christmas can be hectic,” said the council’s transport engagement manager Cheryl Gazley.

“Free buses give people a simple alternative to driving into town without worrying about parking or extra costs, especially when budgets are tight at this time of year.”

“It’s also a great opportunity for those who rarely or never use public transport to give it a go,” said Glazey

“If your shopping’s all done, why not relax and go for a ride somewhere new?”

The bus bonus follows New Plymouth’s mayor Max Brough pushing through discount parking last month.

In deputations to New Plymouth District Council some retailers said the city centre was a ghost town and in need of a boost.

The mayor said staff accelerated a proposal they’d been working on to support businesses during the crucial Christmas boom.

“Who says it needs to take forever?” said Brough.

“I hope people use this as an opportunity to take the family out and make a day of it these holidays."

Until January 11 on street and NPDC carparks are $1.50 instead of $3 per hour, and the newly reopened Downtown Car Park is free for two hours.

All Citylink, Connector and Southlink routes will be included in the free bus days.

 For bus timetables and route information, visit: https://www.trc.govt.nz/buses-transport 

𝙇𝘿𝙍 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙏𝙚 𝙆𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙤 𝙤 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙞 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙏𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙤 𝙄𝙧𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞 𝙤 𝘼𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙧𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞 𝙩𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙪.