From 01 May 2024 5-12 year olds will not longer travel for free on Christchurch buses.

Upcoming fare changes mean 5–12 year olds need to top up their Metro cards

As of 1 May, 5-12-year-old's will no longer travel for free on the bus following the government’s changes to its Community Connect concessions scheme. This is a nationwide change, decided by the new government. Children 4 years old and under will continue to travel for free without a Metrocard.

Children 5-12 will now need to top up their Metro cards in order to pay the $1 bus and $2 ferry concessions as part of the half-price Under 25 concession from May 1. The Council had already planned for the continuation of the Under 25 concession in its 2022/23 Annual Plan, as part of its flat fare trial.

All other Metro concessions for Greater Christchurch will remain the same including Community Services Card holders, tertiary students, and Total Mobility customers.