Metro launches Comet in the north-west

Environment Canterbury is expanding the Metro public transport network with a new service for Christchurch’s northwest, including Sheffield Crescent, Christchurch International Airport (Orchard Road) and Hornby.

The Comet service buses, contracted to Go Bus, began late last month. They are painted silver with distinctive branding, run every 30 minutes on weekdays and at weekends, with a service every 15 minutes at peak times.

Commissioner Rex Williams says the Metro public transport team developed the Comet in response to changing travel patterns as businesses from the CBD have relocated to employment areas spread across the northwest.

While there are existing services to these destinations, they radiate out from the central city. None links all these locations in a ‘northwest arc’ route. Commissioner Williams says the Comet connects the existing Metro services with the expanding northwest business centres.

“The Comet provides a convenient connection between the Selwyn Star and Metrostar in Hornby and the Northern Star and Orbiter in Papanui. Someone living in Halswell could travel to their work at the airport with one free transfer from the Metrostar to the Comet in Hornby. Someone living in Rangiora can reach their work in Hornby, with a free transfer from the Northern Star to the Comet in Papanui.”

In addition to the many employment places being connected by the Comet, Commissioner Williams says the service should be popular with sportspeople after school and at weekends.

“The Comet travels past cricket and soccer grounds at Bishopdale Park, the hockey fields at Nunweek Park, the tennis courts and rugby grounds at Burnside Park, and the rugby league grounds at Crosbie Park in Avonhead.”

Weekends and weekdays the Comet provides passengers with convenient access to Shopping and entertainment centres covered by the Comet routes include the Hub and Dress Smart in Hornby, Avonhead Shopping Centre, Bishopdale Mall, Papanui shops and Northlands Mall.

“As an introductory promotion, Metro is offering Comet passengers the chance to enter a prize draw for a flying lesson, valued at $140. To enter, people must travel on the Comet before 30 November, and pay using Metrocard to go into the prize draw.”

As the Christchurch rebuild progresses, people’s travel patterns may continue to change, Commissioner Williams noted. “We’re determined to ensure that Metro keeps pace with people’s needs and expectations.”