Wellington’s public transport users will be hit with a 2.5 per cent fare increase next month
September 19, 2013
Many bus, train and ferry fares will increase in Wellington next month to cover the rising cost of public transport.
Fares paid for with stored value cards and 10-trip tickets will increase by around 2.5 per cent, according to a statement released by Greater Wellington Regional Council this week.
An exception to this is the zone 1 Snapper fare which will increase from $1.60 to $1.66, and most cash fares will not change.
The fare increase is to cover rising public transport costs and to ensure that the fares contribute around 55 per cent of overall day to day costs, in council and central government’s farebox recovery policies.
The increase is a one-off being made now to prevent a much bigger increase in the next year or so, and the remainder of costs is paid through regional rates and taxes.
Last year, the council adopted a five-year programme of fare increases to ensure that over the five years all fares would increase by the same percentage over the length of the programme.
The changes will take effect from October 1, although Airport Flyer and after midnight bus fares will not change.