Auckland's public transport fare hike 'absurd'

Wednesday, 15 January 2020

Public transport users in Auckland will collectively pay $3.5 million more each year from February (file photo).

Auckland's increase in public transport fares, which is expected to reduce potential patronage by half a million trips, is being labelled 'absurd'.

Auckland Transport has increased half of its tariffs, mostly by 5-10 cents on the more commonly-used shorter journeys, citing rising costs, expanded services, and funding not keeping up.

Longer distance fares beyond five zones remain unchanged or lower and bus and train monthly passes are unchanged. However, some ferry monthly passes will cost more.

'Putting up prices during a climate emergency is absurd,' Damian Light, who stood unsuccessfully in the Howick Ward in the last local body election, tweeted.

**READ MORE:

Auckland rail passengers will mostly pay 5-10 cents more for shorter trips from February 9 (file photo).

* Auckland public transport fares to rise

* Auckland ferry passengers to get free bus or train ride included in fares

Inner-City trips have been hit the hardest by the fare increase.

* Anger over 6 per cent fare hikes in Auckland

* More free public transport being considered for Auckland**

'We've declared a climate emergency and transport is our largest contributor to emissions – we must address this.'

The youth-led climate action group Generation Zero called the increases 'unacceptable in a time of climate emergency'.

'Transport is currently the highest contributor (38 per cent) to Auckland's emissions – this demands action to help people out of private vehicles and use public transport,' Bruce Kidd, the Auckland co-convenor, said.

'Fare increases also make public transport even less affordable for those in Auckland who are less well-off and more marginalised.'

Mayor Phil Goff said the council agency had not asked for funding for a fare freeze.

Goff declined to be interviewed by Stuff but in a statement said the increase was kept at a level 'unlikely to discourage public transport use'.

A paper considered by Auckland Transport's board in December noted the impact on patronage from the bus and train increases would be 555,000 trips fewer than if fares were unchanged.

'Council strongly supports mode shift to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, with emphasis on improving the frequency and quality of service, which has been reflected in an 8 per cent increase in the use of public transport over the last 12 months,' Goff said.

The transport advocacy group Greater Auckland said the increase was not surprising given that it occurred annually.

'It can be difficult to see what value were getting when over the last year we've also seen significant cuts to bus services,' editor Matt Lowrie said.

Richard Hills, the councillor who chairs the Environment and Climate Change committee, said the council had budgeted an extra $12 million this year for public transport and to help keep fares lower.

'I've been trying to reduce fares – we've won in some areas such as kids (under 16) free weekends and making ferry feeder buses free,' he said.

Hills pointed the finger at the government-mandated system for contracting public transport services.

'The government needs to change the old model and increase public transport subsidies urgently if they're serious about reducing carbon emissions and getting people onto public transport.'

Auckland Transport said costs had risen $15 million this year. It said $3.5 million was covered by the higher fares and the rest from council and government funding, with its own budgets in other areas being trimmed.