Public transport

Why it's important

Public transport is a more efficient and cost-effective way than cars to transport large numbers of people around built-up urban areas. Increased use of public transport provides economic, health, social and environmental benefits to Greater Christchurch as a whole.

Key points

In the year to June 2020, 11.02 million boardings (or one-leg trips) were made on public transport in the Greater Christchurch area. This was a decrease of 20% from the previous year (13.69 million trips).

Note this is an interactive chart and you can select the legend items to change what is shown on the graph.

Commentary

Public transport patronage in Greater Christchurch dropped from 17.21 million trips in the year to June 2010 to a low of 11.22 million trips in the June 2012 year – the impact of the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes forcing many businesses to close or move from the centre of Christchurch.

Journey numbers had recovered to nearly 80 per cent of pre-2011 figures. However, public transport patronage declined again in 2020 due to the impact of travel restrictions as part of the COVID-19 response and the accelerated shift towards a digital economy.

At Alert Level 1 people have continued to work from home and complete transactions online, and some may be cautious about public travel for personal health reasons. Monthly figures for public transport boardings in Greater Christchurch remain around 20 to 25% lower than pre-COVID-19 levels.