Editorial: Extend free bus hours

Restrictions on times when pensioners can travel for free are difficult, Rotorua's Lynnette Nagle says. Photo/Stephen Parker

A Rotorua pensioner calling for our seniors to be given free bus rides all day has raised a fair point.

SuperGold Cardholders are able to travel around Rotorua free on the CityRide bus but only between 9am and 3pm on weekdays.

There are no restrictions on weekends.

Lynnette Nagle said the restrictions were difficult for pensioners who wanted to travel outside those hours. She says the restrictions make her feel she's on a curfew.

The SuperGold Card scheme, funded by the Ministry of Social Development, has been offering free public transport since 2008. The time limits aim to free up capacity at peak times and make better use of buses during off-peak times.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council manages local public transport services, including the CityRide buses in Rotorua, and contracts the operation of the CityRide buses to Reesby Buses.

The bus service can often be pensioners' only way of getting around.

Have you ever been to the supermarket at 8am? It's chocker with our older generation. Have you ever been to stay at your grandparents' house in the school holidays hoping for some sleep ins only to be bitterly disappointed?

The fact is, a lot of our older people love getting up early (and going to bed early).

They should be allowed to hop on a bus at 8am and head to the supermarket or a friend's place to play Scrabble without having to wait until 9am.

On our website, there has been mixed reaction to Ms Nagle's call, with some saying our seniors have paid taxes all their life and deserve this freedom. Others aren't quite so sympathetic, saying pensioners get more handouts than other beneficiaries and if they can't pay for transport then they need budget advice.

The difference is, pensioners have no choice but to be pensioners. Beneficiaries have the potential to earn more money to pay for transport.

The scheme is great but it doesn't go far enough. Surely the ministry could fund the free service for all hours, particularly in smaller cities like Rotorua where buses aren't full.