Cheap weekend fares will be trialled for one month in Wellington in a bid to attract more people to the city's shops and restaurants.

Wellingtonians can look forward to cheaper weekend bus fares in the leadup to Christmas.

A "gold coin" initiative will be introduced later this month in an effort to get more shoppers and diners into the central city.

From November 28 until Christmas, it will cost $1 to travel one zone and $2 for travel within two or three zones on yellow Go Wellington buses during the weekend.

In February, Wellington city councillor Iona Pannett suggested including funding for cheaper bus fares in the Long-Term Plan after the Green Party called for free weekend fares.

The council budgeted $200,000 for the initiative.

"I wanted free buses, but the mayor suggested trialling it for a period to get a better idea of impact, price and behaviour," Pannett said.

During the four weeks, the council would map patronage and work out the impact on revenue. "We have an idea of how much patronage and how much will be paid. We think it will work."

It would bring multiple benefits to the city, and show support for an environmentally sustainable travel, she said.

"This is for people who want to go shopping in the central city and don't want to have to worry about congestion or parking time limits."

Greater Wellington Regional Council plans and manages public transport throughout the region. Chairman Chris Laidlaw said it would be interesting to see how the initiative went.

"We'd be delighted to see more people leaving their cars at home and getting onto public transport – if this initiative encourages more people to get on board and give public transport a go, that's fantastic."

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said the initiative would help to get more Wellingtonians into the central city during the busy weekends in the runup to Christmas.

The move has been welcomed by retailers and the hospitality sector, who are keen to cash in on an already busy period to boost sales.

Hospitality New Zealand Wellington regional manager Dylan Firth said the initiative would be good for business during a busy period.

Drink-driving laws had an effect on the numbers of people having a drink with a meal, so travelling on the bus could see more people buying alcohol with dinner and more people coming from outer suburbs, he said.

It would mean no parking limits on a Saturday, which would be a good opportunity for people to enjoy a meal and a show.

First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson said retailers and the hospitality sector were hoping shoppers would make a day of it with shopping and a meal.

Retail NZ public affairs general manager Greg Harford said although retailers were keen to see more people in the city, it could be hard to carry shopping home on a bus. He would like to see private car park operators offering free parking at weekends in the leadup to Christmas.

CHEAPER FARES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

* Each weekend from Saturday, November 28 (excluding all after-midnight services, Airport Flyer, Valley Flyer, Mana and Tranz Metro services), through to the last service on Sunday December 20.

* One zone: $1

* Two to three zones: $2 (adult), $1.50 (child).

* Fares can be paid by cash or with a Snapper card.