Public transport in Christchurch.

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#403285 11-Nov-2010 10:10

BurningBeard:
robjg63: There is also the trans coastal which takes you to Kaikoura/Picton.

I LOVE that trip - especially once you come out next to the sea. The viewing deck is awesome... not so nice for my camera though - the sea mist screwed up my zoom.

Those are amazing. Will deffo. look into going on that trip

BurningBeard

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#403303 11-Nov-2010 10:31

Cheap as chips via nakedbus.com too. My partner and myself got to Kaikoura and back to ChCh for about $100 all up.

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michaelmurfy

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#403305 11-Nov-2010 10:35

The Bus Service is really good here in Christchurch, it's $4.60 a day for unlimited travel if you have a Metrocard, plus it covers pretty-much all of Christchurch.

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oxnsox

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#403382 11-Nov-2010 13:20

Believe Chc has the best bus services in the country, so getting around is easy...

.. And nobody mentioned the Antarctic Centre or Airforce Museum, which are both worth a visit... even if you are a local,

sleemanj

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#403402 11-Nov-2010 13:52

I had to catch a bus in chch for the first time in many years a couple of weeks back (was picking up a new car, and I'm too cheap for a taxi). Service was fine, fares are really cheap (and simple), and I'm fairly certain my driver was Michael Schumacher or at least went to the same driving school.

I'm surprised he didn't wheel spin out of the stops because he was damn near drifting round the corners.

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stevonz

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#403441 11-Nov-2010 15:05

Also try Ferrymead, close to Mt Pleasant: http://www.ferrymead.org.nz/

Cheers, Stevo

farcus

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#403450 11-Nov-2010 15:34

just a word on the bus service in CHCH.
If the bus route that you live on is covered by Red Bus or leopard (purple busses) then you will be fine.
If you are unfortunate enough to live on a route covered by CBS (white buses) then you should be aware that they can at times be pretty unreliable. They use much older run down buses than the other two companies and quite often the buses just don't show up as they have broken down somewhere up-route and you are left waiting for the next scheduled bus.
Thankfully in the last round of tenders they lost most of their runs and I think they are just left with a few eastern routes.

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mattRSK

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#403498 11-Nov-2010 16:53

oxnsox: Believe Chc has the best bus services in the country, so getting around is easy...

.. And nobody mentioned the Antarctic Centre or Airforce Museum, which are both worth a visit... even if you are a local,

The airforce museum is a must. Try and get there in time for one of their out the back tours!

minigopher17

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#403580 11-Nov-2010 20:00

farcus: just a word on the bus service in CHCH.
If the bus route that you live on is covered by Red Bus or leopard (purple busses) then you will be fine.
If you are unfortunate enough to live on a route covered by CBS (white buses) then you should be aware that they can at times be pretty unreliable. They use much older run down buses than the other two companies and quite often the buses just don't show up as they have broken down somewhere up-route and you are left waiting for the next scheduled bus. Thankfully in the last round of tenders they lost most of their runs and I think they are just left with a few eastern routes.

When I used to live in Parklands I never had issues with CBS - always on time, never had a breakdown, used it at peak times to get to and from the CBD.

Now I'm out in Rolleston, and Leopard have just got the contract for the new Selwyn Star buses, but because the brand new buses aren't ready yet because of earthquake damage you have to use ugly white, old, slow, cruddy, grafitti-ridden, and filthy old-school buses apparently leased from the North Island.

Just saying that everyone has different experiences.

lapimate

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#403631 11-Nov-2010 22:23

tardtasticx: ...I read that they can only post metro cards to people who live in that area so I'll get one when I arrive. They seem to be just like the snappa cards they use in Wellington when I went there last year.

No, not "just like snappa cards". Wellington Snapper cards you can buy from eg bookshops w.o. fuss. Metrocard you have to supply 2 forms of ID name address etc. Ostensibly so that if Metrocard lost you may reclaim the credit but it looks more like an attempt at a marketing spam ploy (there is an "opt out" tick box ...). Snapper cards you can optionally register online - your choice. I was hoping to send some Metrocards as a gift from outside Christchurch - that is impossible and you cannot prepay by post or online. An ECan bureaucratic fail.

tardtasticx

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#403632 11-Nov-2010 22:26

lapimate:
tardtasticx: ...I read that they can only post metro cards to people who live in that area so I'll get one when I arrive. They seem to be just like the snappa cards they use in Wellington when I went there last year.

No, not "just like snappa cards". Wellington Snapper cards you can buy from eg bookshops w.o. fuss. Metrocard you have to supply 2 forms of ID name address etc. Ostensibly so that if Metrocard lost you may reclaim the credit but it looks more like an attempt at a marketing spam ploy (there is an "opt out" tick box ...). Snapper cards you can optionally register online - your choice. I was hoping to send some Metrocards as a gift from outside Christchurch - that is impossible and you cannot prepay. An ECan bureaucratic fail.

Wait so will I have to get my uncle to register for me or something? Does the proof of address have to be in CHCH?

lapimate

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#403649 11-Nov-2010 22:52

tardtasticx: ... Wait so will I have to get my uncle to register for me or something? Does the proof of address have to be in CHCH?

http://www.metroinfo.org.nz/docs/metrocard_termsandconditions.pdf " ...19) A Metrocard is not transferable and Metrocard discounted fares are restricted to the registered cardholder. .."

http://www.metroinfo.org.nz/metrocard.html "...Metrocards can only be posted to residents in Canterbury, New Zealand..."

LookingUp

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#403657 11-Nov-2010 23:27

If you can't be faffed using fingers for Google then this might not be for you, but my missus often drags me up & over the Bridle Path to Lyttleton for breakfast or lunch, and then a nice stroll back up & over to the car. Good exercise, nice walk, lovely scenery, and only costs for the meal at half time. :-)

The starting point is at the Gondola car park and the bonus is you get exercise, it's free (except for the half time feed and drinks), and you get to to go to Lyttleton, which unfortunately the gondola doesn't do.

http://www.freemansdiningroom.co.nz/ is the place to recharge!

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LookingUp

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#403658 11-Nov-2010 23:31

Forgot to mention the other bonus - the looks on everyone else's face when you walk for breakfast or lunch all hot and sweaty in your walking gear ;-)

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bazzer

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#403677 12-Nov-2010 00:16

tardtasticx:
lapimate:
tardtasticx: ...I read that they can only post metro cards to people who live in that area so I'll get one when I arrive. They seem to be just like the snappa cards they use in Wellington when I went there last year.

No, not "just like snappa cards". Wellington Snapper cards you can buy from eg bookshops w.o. fuss. Metrocard you have to supply 2 forms of ID name address etc. Ostensibly so that if Metrocard lost you may reclaim the credit but it looks more like an attempt at a marketing spam ploy (there is an "opt out" tick box ...). Snapper cards you can optionally register online - your choice. I was hoping to send some Metrocards as a gift from outside Christchurch - that is impossible and you cannot prepay. An ECan bureaucratic fail.

Wait so will I have to get my uncle to register for me or something? Does the proof of address have to be in CHCH?

My wife and I got them when we visited Chch. It was not a hassle, I don't believe you need to live there to get one (at least you didn't back then). As I recall, it was way cheaper to get to the airport with one than to pay for the bus/taxi.

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