Regional councillors will decide between an increased private revenue target of 14% or 15% by June 2027 on Wednesday.
In a report published ahead of the meeting, staff said the increase might be achieved through more aggressive advertising and by pausing plans to transition to zero-emission buses.
Councillor Deon Swiggs said the targets would not directly affect bus fares. ECan (Environmental Canterbury) already planned to increase fares from $2 to $3 around mid-year, or when it transitioned to the national ticketing service, he said, and any further increases would be subject to a vote.
Swiggs spoke against the 38% target proposed by New Zealand Transport Agency late last year, telling *The Press* at the time it could result in a four-fold increase to fares, or $8 per trip.
