Environment Canterbury is making improvements to its Christchurch Metro services from Monday, November 2. They include more frequent services, more direct routes and new services in some areas.

The changes are the result of customer feedback and newly identified demand as part of a service review carried out earlier this year, says Cr Carole Evans, Environment Canterbury public passenger transport portfolio chair

“There are some new routes too, extending Metro’s world class service to even more people in greater Christchurch. A Metromap, detailing all of the changes, is being delivered to every Christchurch home during late October to make sure people know about the changes well in advance,” she says.

Some examples of the new and improved routes include:

• The new No. 3 Airport-Sumner via Avonhead route will provide an additional service to Christchurch International Airport. This will complement the No. 10 Cashmere-Airport and No. 29 Airport-City, meaning a service from the airport every 10 minutes.
• The No. 7 Halswell route will now provide a direct service to Christchurch Public  Hospital.
• There will be an additional service to Belfast from the city provided by the No. 8 Casebrook-Hoon Hay.
• The No. 21 Ilam-Mt Pleasant buses will travel to the city via Mandeville Street, providing a new service to the Tower Junction Industrial Park.
• The No. 35 Riccarton-Heathcote (35 Heathcote) route is more direct and provides a direct service to Christchurch Public Hospital and Riccarton for residents of Lytellton and Heathcote.
• The Diamond Harbour Ferry will have more frequent sailings.

“Please check your route before you travel from Monday, November 2 and see how the improvements work for you,” says Cr Evans.

All of the new routes and timetable changes can be found at metroinfo.co.nz or call 03 366 88 55 for information.

For further information: Cr Carole Evans, Environment Canterbury Public Passenger Transport Portfolio Committee Chair on 027 240 3096.

Supplementary information:

The Metro routes that are affected are:

• 3 Avonhead / Sumner
• 7/77 Halswell & Kennedy's Bush
• 10 Cashmere / Airport via Harewood
• 11 Supa Centa via Styx Mill / Westmorland
• 12 Northwood
• 13 Redwood / Hoon Hay
• 14 Nunweek
• 15 Bishopdale / Bowenvale
• 16 Belfast
• 17 Bryndwr / Barrington
• 18 St Albans / Huntsbury
• 19 Burnside / Spreydon
• 21 Ilam / Mt Pleasant
• 24 Hyde Park / Bromley
• 28 Lyttelton & Rapaki
• 29 Airport / City via Fendalton
• 35 Heathcote
• 66 Murray Aynsley
• 67 Dyers Pass
• DHF Diamond Harbour Ferry