Grinch puts end to free bus fares

The grinch – in the guise of the recession – has stolen the capital's free Christmas Day bus services.

Christmas revellers have been able to travel free on Wellington's buses for close to a decade, but that gift will not be offered this year.

The policy change will affect NZ Bus services in Wellington and Auckland.

Zane Fulljames, general manager of operations for Go Wellington, said the company could no longer afford to offer free travel for a day.

"We have offered free fares on Christmas Day, despite not being required to do so, for as long as we have operated bus services," he said.

"Providing travel for free is a significant cost to the business that we find we cannot continue to absorb."

Newlands Coach Services spokesman Geoff Norman said his company had also decided to charge full fares on Christmas Day after hearing of the NZ Bus policy.

Staff would have to be paid time and a half, plus a day in lieu, for working on a statutory holiday.

Chris Renwick has caught the free bus from Happy Valley to see family in Raumati at Christmas for about six years.

"It does make them seem like grinches," he said. "I guess I'll be making other arrangements."