Wellington public transport users likely to be hit with one per cent fare rise this year
A small increase in most non-cash fares for bus, train and harbour ferry services is being recommended by Greater Wellington Regional Council officers.
A report to the Council’s Policy and Strategy Committee meeting last week recommends most non-cash fares increase by one per cent from October 1.
“An increase in fare revenue would help offset costs of providing public transport services which usually increase each year,” says Public Transport General Manager Wayne Hastie.
“Bus running costs, for instance, rose by about 1.7 per cent in the last year and 3.5 per cent the year before.
“Also we’re required to ensure that fares make up around 55 per cent of direct costs so the increase would keep us within that ratio.”
The recommended fare increase is in line with the council’s five-year programme which was adopted in 2012.
“Increasing most smart card fares by a small percentage each year and increasing cash fares in different zones each year helps ensure evenness and fairness for fare payers throughout the region,” says Hastie.
“It avoids the nasty shock of a huge increase every four or five years.”
Council policy is to review fares annually, and any decision by council to proceed with a fare increase will be consulted on publicly in April as part of the draft Annual Plan process.