The collapse of the international student market in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic is being blamed for public transport use falling significantly in Palmerston North. Figures presented to Horizons Regional Council’s passenger transport committee on Tuesday showed patronage on Palmerston North buses was down 33 per cent year-on-year. Horizons’ transport manager Rhona Hewitt​ said the pandemic had a massive impact on passenger services, which were taking some time to recover. Palmerston North’s service was hard hit due to a drop in international students, Hewitt said. Hewitt said there was a positive note, with Massey students moving from using their student IDs for free trips to the Bee Card system.

Source: Stuff May 18, 2021 04:07 UTC