Bus fares in rural and regional areas of New South Wales will rise by an average of 1.2 percent from
Bus fares in rural and regional areas of New South Wales will rise by an average of 1.2 percent from January 3, 2010.
The fare rise covers areas outside the Sydney metropolitan and outer metropolitan regions (Blue Mountains, Hunter, Newcastle and Wollongong).
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) released its determination on the fare increase last week.
Some fares will not change but others will rise between 10 cents and 40 cents on a single ticket.
Under IPART’s determination, maximum bus fares will increase by less than the rate of inflation.
IPART Acting Chairman and Chief Executive, James Cox says IPART the small increases in fares should not have an adverse impact on bus passengers, bus operators or the environment.
“The NSW Government’s bus reform program, which has restructured concession fares for rural and regional bus passengers, may mitigate the impact of any fare increases,” he says.
IPART last week recommended a fare rise of 3.4 percent for Sydney metropolitan and outer metropolitan areas.