No relief in sight from increasing petrol prices these school holidays

Release Date: Thursday April 24th, 2008

With petrol prices now at a record high, InterCity has seen a significant rise in passenger numbers over the current school holiday period and over the ANZAC long weekend.

Petrol prices are up almost 20 per cent [eds: 18 per cent] on this time last year with a 50 litre tank now costing $94.00 compared to $78 the same time in 2007*.

Sales and marketing manager for InterCity Group Limited, Daniel Rode, said InterCity has seen an 10 per cent increase in passengers in the first week of school holidays and believes this is largely due to New Zealanders looking for alternative methods of transport to cope with the continuing petrol increases.

"School holidays have always been a busy time for us, however passenger numbers are steadily increasing as petrol prices continue to rise out of reach for many New Zealanders.

"Students often don't have a choice to stay at school or university during this period and travelling with InterCity is proving to be the most cost effective way for them to head home over the holidays," said Mr Rode.

InterCity recently added additional services across all major centres nationwide during the busy Easter period to cope with demand and enabled Kiwis to leave their cars at home.

"With one of the largest passenger networks in the country, students can travel to more than 700 communities from Cape Reinga to Invercargill and spend time with their families these school holidays," said Mr Rode.

Consumers can book through more than 600 agents throughout New Zealand or book online at www.intercity.co.nz

InterCity Group carries more than 1.4 million passengers nationwide each year and operates more than 160 daily services to more than 700 towns, cities and communities across New Zealand.

*Source Automobile Association New Zealand