Capital faces a decade of rising fares

Public transport users face a decade of fare increases, with inner-city Wellington bus passengers first in the firing line.

Greater Wellington Regional Council has recommended raising bus fares in the heart of the city from September, to generate a revenue increase of 3 per cent.

The increases were rubber stamped at a transport and access committee meeting yesterday. They will form a starting point for negotiations with bus operators.

The meeting heard that the increases were needed to balance the books, and signalled similar increases over the next 10 years.

Councillor Nigel Wilson opposed the rises of up to 50 per cent for a short ride across the inner city. "I don't think there should be any increase until we know precisely who will benefit."

The council did not raise fares last year, he said.

Councillor Paul Bruce said the increases should be delayed, to allow a review of routes and fares.

But councillor Judith Aitken said it was "blissfully populist" to oppose the fare increases.

"It's irresponsible and glib to say there should be no increase in fares."

Brian Baxter, the council's public transport design and development manager, recommended the council not increase fares that were raised in September 2008.

Instead, it targeted one-zone cash fares and the long-standing $1 bus fare to travel around downtown Wellington.

City section fares – between Wellington Railway Station and Courtenay Place – will go up from $1 to $1.50. Snapper card users will pay $1.20.

One-zone cash fares – currently $1.50 for an adult and $1 concession – will increase by 50 cents each. That represents increases of 33 per cent and 50 per cent respectively.

The council expected similar fare increases of 3 per cent a year from 2010-11.

Fare revenues were expected to rise from $65 million in 2009-10 to $70m in 2012-13, because of increased passenger numbers.

However, expenditure would also rise, because of improvements to the rail network.

- © Fairfax NZ News