The information in italics is what is proposed. The information below it is what we currently do.
We are thinking about extending the Sunday service to include Hinds, Mayfield, and Geraldine in order to make it more likely that the service will run each Sunday, and also to do the same on our Friday evening service from Christchurch. This would allow passengers to commute from Geraldine to Christchurch for the week, and passengers from Christchurch and Mid Canterbury to commute to Geraldine for the weekend.
The times would look something like this. The Sunday evening service would be able to pick up in Mayfield, and the Friday evening service will be able to do so on request.
Friday Evening – departing Christchurch 5.00 pm, Rakaia 6.00 pm, Methven 6.30 pm, Ashburton 7.00 pm, Hinds 7.15 pm, Mayfield 7.35 pm, Geraldine 8.00 pm, then returning to Ashburton.
Sunday Evening – Departing Ashburton 3.15 pm, Hinds 3.30 pm, Geraldine 4.00 pm, Mayfield 4.30 pm Methven 5.00 pm, Rakaia, 5.30 pm, arriving Christchurch approximately 6.30 pm, then returning to Ashburton.
Fares would be the same as below. for Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia. Fares for the new destinations would be as follows, 5 trip prepaid passes would be available at a 20% discount, and discounts would also be available if more than one member of the same family is travelling..
- Ashburton / Geraldine $25 one way or $45 return,
- Christchurch / Geraldine $60 one way or $100 return, siblings $35 one way or $60 return
- Christchurch / Mayfield $50 one way or $85 return, siblings $30 one way or $55 return.
- Christchurch / Hinds $45 one way or $75 return, siblings $30 one way or $55 return
We currently offer a Sunday evening service departing from Ashburton at 4.30 pm, Methven I-site at 5.00 pm and Rakaia at 5.30 pm, and a Monday morning service departing from Ashburton at 6.25 am and Rakaia at 6.50 am. It is recommended that passengers book in advance to ensure that seats are available. The Sunday evening service will only pick up in Methven and Rakaia if there are passengers booked for pick up from there by 4pm on the day of travel. The service will be cancelled if there are not at least 3 passengers booked by 9 am on the day of travel.
A Friday return service is available on the regular scheduled run from Christchurch to Ashburton at approximately 5.00 pm, It will operate via Methven if there are passengers wanting to go there.
Please let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you are planning to take large bags or bulky luggage so we can arrange a luggage trailer if necessary.
The standard fare for these services from either Ashburton or Methven is $40 one way or $65 return for the first child from each family, then $25 one way or $50 return for siblings. We offer a 20% discount for prepaying 5 trips. A one way 5 trip pass costs $160 for 5 trips in either direction ($100 for siblings). A return 5 trip pass costs $260 for 10 trips in either direction ($200 for siblings).
From Rakaia the standard fare is $30 one way or $50 return for the first child from each family, then $20 one way or $40 return for siblings, a 5 trip one way pass costs $120 ($80 for siblings), a 5 trip return pass costs $200 ($160 for siblings).
As a result of these services operating there will be two additional regular Ashburton to Methven services each week during school terms at 4.30 pm on Sundays, and approximately 6.00 pm on Fridays, and a Methven to Ashburton service at approximately 6.30 pm on Fridays. The standard fare is $15 one way or $25 return.