Christchurch public transport users will not be able to use cash on city buses and ferries from mid next year.
The move has prompted concerns about the impact on those who prefer to use cash, especially the elderly and homeless. The proposal also defies a survey that found three-quarters of public transport users believe cash is important.
However, Environment Canterbury (ECan) staff say cash handling is consistently raised by drivers, operators and unions as an issue for driver safety and wellbeing, and that it makes sense to take advantage of the roll-out of a new nationwide public transport card to rid the system of cash. The National Ticketing Solution will be introduced in Canterbury first in mid-2024.
According to a report to councillors, there had been an increase in incidents and complaints about safety, particularly at the central city bus interchange, and incidents on buses had also “increased significantly” in 2021-22 compared to previous years.
Operators reported 21 robberies or attempted robberies on buses in the year ended June.
