InterCity’s national bus services resume
InterCity, New Zealand’s only national bus network will resume limited services from 28 May, providing long awaited transport options for hundreds of thousands of Kiwis.
Prior to lockdown, InterCity carried 1.5 million passengers a year on more than 100 daily services connecting the length and breadth of New Zealand. Domestic travellers accounted for 85% of all passengers.
InterCity CEO, John Thorburn, says staff are excited about the restart.
“InterCity is a crucial service for communities across New Zealand and we’re excited about welcoming passengers on board in time for the long weekend.”
Due to physical distancing measures, InterCity will have reduced seating capacity, meaning services may run at a loss. As a result, not all stops on the network will be available.
Thorburn says the company will be unable to continue operating loss-making services over the long term. Discussions are currently underway with the Government and the company is hopeful that these will enable sustained operations and the re-expansion of the network.
“We’ve taken the decision to restart, even though it will be at a loss, while we continue to discuss support from Government,” he says.
Services will resume to most major towns and communities in the national network.
Connections to some communities will not be possible under the limited restart.
Reservations for travel from 28 May onwards can now be made at intercity.co.nz.
ENDS
Contact:
Daniel Rode
General Manager Digital & Brand
027 4913530
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About InterCity
InterCity provides New Zealanders with access to affordable, safe and reliable travel to over 600 towns, cities and communities. By comparison, Air New Zealand flights connect just 20 destinations (12 in the North Island and 8 in the South Island).
Since being privatised in 1991, InterCity has operated as a successful commercial organisation without any subsidies or funding from central or local government.