Auckland Transport (AT) has announced that public transport fares will increase by approximately 6.5 percent starting on April 2, 2023.
This is the first fare increase in two years, AT has said the increase will add no more than 20 cents per journey while half-price fares remain available.
According to AT's Interim Chief Executive, Mark Lambert, the fare increase has been kept below inflation and operating cost increases.
The fare increase is in part due to the cost increase of operating bus, train, and ferry services since 2021, and due to multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and an increase in people working from home.
AT is seeking to fill the significant funding gap through multiple sources, including a small percentage of funding from the increased customer fares.
Public transport advocacy group Greater Auckland have called out AT over the fare increase saying Auckland Transport are 'deliberately trying to kill public transport (PT)', the group also highlighted the fact parking prices in the city haven't changed in recent years as transport fares have.
MP for Northcote, Shanan Halbert said the fare increase bundled with budget cuts on PT is a terrible move at a time when Aucklanders need help with the cost of living and while the city needs bus uptake to improve.
Historically, an annual fare review occurs in February each year. However, due to uncertainties regarding the level and duration of lockdowns and future patronage recovery strategies, there was no fare increase in 2022. Additionally, the planned February 2023 fare increase was deferred due to recent weather events.
Short-distance fares will see an increase of around 8 percent, while longer-distance fares will only increase by up to 3-5 percent, with some out zone fares remaining at current levels.
Lambert acknowledged that it has been a challenging time for Aucklanders with the significant bus driver and ferry crew shortages, along with KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild, the level of service has simply not been the same as customers are used to.
However, he assured Aucklanders that AT is doing everything possible to get public transport back on track.
In April 2022, fares were reduced to half-price through central Government funding until June 30, 2022, which was then extended further now through to June 30, 2023.
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