Taking the bus is a conscientious and cost-effective way to get around town.
You can travel on any Metro bus across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri for $2 or less with your Metrocard. These new fares reduce and simplify our existing fares. Children under 13 years old travel free with their Metrocard. Concessions are available for youths aged 13-24 years, Community Service card holders, tertiary students and Total Mobility card holders.
Metrocard fares for Greater Christchurch
| Fare type | Standard fare |
Concession fares | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13–24 year olds |
Community Services Card |
Tertiary Student Metrocard |
Total Mobility card |
Children 5-12 years | ||
| Bus | $2 | $1 | FREE | |||
| Ferry | $4 | $2 | ||||
Accessing the Metrocard concessions
Travel concessions are available with a Metrocard for the following groups. Some concessions require pre-registration. Click on the links to find out more.
- Community Services Card holders
- Children aged 5-12 years
- Youths aged 13-24 years olds
- Total Mobility card holders
- Tertiary students
The free travel period for SuperGold cardholders remains (from 9am weekdays and all weekend).
Under 5 year-olds travel for free.
Some customers will have the option to choose between multiple concessions. Customers under 25 do not need to apply for other concessions, as your age-related fare will be applied automatically through the date of birth associated with your Metrocard.
Extra discounts for Metrocard holders
With a Metrocard in hand, you'll get:
- Cheaper fares
- Access to free transfers within 2 hours
- Daily and weekly deals for unlimited travel
- The ability to manage your balance online and utilise auto top-ups
Find out more about travel savings with Metrocard and where to get a Metrocard.
Cash fares
The following prices apply when paying by cash. Your driver may request ID when requesting the child cash fare.
| Travel | Standard cash fare | Child cash fare (5-18 years) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | $4 | $2 | |||
| Ferry | $6 | $4 | |||
Free transfers
When you pay by cash, you are entitled to one free transfer using your ticket receipt. You can use your transfer on any Metro bus service within the transfer period. The free transfer ticket does not include the Diamond Harbour Ferry.
When using a Metrocard you are entitled to unlimited transfers within two hours. If you travel on the Diamond Harbour Ferry service, you get unlimited transfers within 2 hours on any bus or ferry service.
More info on transferring between the bus and ferry.
Metro gift vouchers
Gift vouchers are available in multiples of $10 at the Metro Info Counter at the Bus Interchange and can be used to purchase a Metrocard, or redeemed as Metrocard credit at any Metro agent.