1-2-3 Bus Ride

How is it possible to pay for 1 trip and arrive at 2 destinations on 3 buses?

1) All travel was made in the two hour transfer time, hence the single fare.
2) First destination: Northlands. Second destination: Riccarton.
3) One bus to Northlands, one to Riccarton. Usually, yes, but this time the driver caught up to the bus ahead on the same route so passengers were swapped so everyone could get home quicker. Needless to say, I got way ahead of schedule (abnormally so).