School bus fares likely to increase

School bus fares will increase.

The price of school bus fares will rise if the Bay of Plenty Regional Council follows recommendations made yesterday by its public transport subcommittee.

The subcommittee recommended increasing the child/student fare for a Smartride concession trip on the BayHopper and SchoolHopper from $1.15 to $1.51.

One trip without the concession card would cost $1.90.

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Last month, the committee recommended a Smartride concession fare increase to $1.51 for BayHopper and only $1.21 for SchoolHopper, but it was found that would fall short of the budget by $213,000.

Yesterday's recommendation to increase both fares would reduce the deficit by about $50,000 to a $174,600 shortfall.

The council noted the $174,600 shortfall could be funded from the Tauranga Passenger Transport rates reserve and therefore not affect the 2015/16 budget.

"The council has a responsibility to all its ratepayers ... I think when you balance things out you can see why the committee made the recommendation it did," transport policy manager Garry Maloney said.

The change would take effect in 2016 and apply to student fares all year, including school holidays.

Yesterday's council agenda noted the current SchoolHopper service was highly subsidised and not well aligned with the fares policies of the Regional Public Transport Plan.