Changes to youth fares

Child and young adult bus fares have changed

We are aligning our fare structures with government funding updates, with changes to occur from Monday 29 July 2024.

Here’s what you need to know about these changes and how they will be implemented for our passengers.

Infant aged 0 – 5: No change; free travel continues.
Child/Youth aged 6 – 18: Free travel to support school commutes (before 9:00 AM and 2:30-6:00 PM), transitioning from all-day free travel.

Free travel applies with your Bee Card on weekdays during school term on Rotorua Cityride buses, Tauranga Bayhopper buses (excluding Route 80 - Katikati Express and Route 81 - Omokoroa), and Whakatane Bayhopper Route 122.

Young adults aged 19 – 24: Standard adult fare, transitioning from half-price fare adult fare.

Bus fares vary based on the distance you are travelling, please check your local fare table.

Bee Card holders:

Your concession status will be automatically updated to reflect the new fare categories based on your registered age. This means:

If you're a child or youth, your card will adjust to apply peak time concessions without any required action from your side.

For Youth Plus passengers transitioning to adult fares, your Bee Card will automatically update to the new fare scheme post-29 July.

Verify your Bee Card details are up to date to ensure correct fare application.
Check your Bee Card balance and top up online or at designated locations.
Tag on at the start of your journey and tag off at the end to ensure correct fare is charged and avoid unnecessary fees.

Cash Fare Passengers:

If you use cash, please be prepared with the correct fare. We recommend transitioning to a Bee Card for ease of use and access to discounts and concessions.

While we are adjusting youth fares, there are no changes to the existing concessions for Community Services Card holders and Total Mobility services. We also encourage passengers to explore other concessions they might be eligible for.

Our customer service team is available for any inquiries or assistance. Please reach out to us via our website contact form or phone 0800 4 BAYBUS.