Environment Canterbury is reducing the cost of cash fares when getting a bus to and from the airport to coincide with the opening of international borders on 1 May.

Customers who board a Metro bus at the Christchurch International Airport will pay the same cash fare as for any Metro bus trip within Christchurch.

Previously, cash fares from the airport included an additional fee which will no longer apply from the start of May.

A Zone 1 adult cash fare that cost $8.50, will now cost the standard price of $4.20, as public transport fares are currently half-price, a Zone 1 adult cash fare costs just $2.10 until the end of June.

Return tickets will no longer be available as they are no longer needed and transfers will be exactly the same as with other trips with Metro.

Fares remain the same for customers using their MetroCard as card fares were not subject to the additional fee.

MetroCard fares are 25% cheaper than cash fares.

Public Transport manager Stewart Gibbon said “we expect the number of visitors using Metro services from the airport will continue to grow over the coming months, and for more locals to be travelling to and from the airport.”

There are three routes that service the airport. Route 3 will take you through the central city and out to the popular Sumner Beach. Route 29 is a direct route to the central city Bus Interchange where visitors can find many of Christchurch’s main attractions. Route 125 services more residential areas, but also travels to The Hub in Hornby.