Opinion by Stuff’s Forever Projects and Climate Reporter Olivia Wannan – The Government [cut public transport fares in half](https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/environment\/climate-news\/128071113\/calls-for-farefree-public-transport-after-government-halves-ticket-prices) for three months, at the same time it reduced excise tax on petrol by [25 cents](https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/national\/politics\/300540764\/government-cuts-fuel-taxes-by-25c-and-halves-public-transport-fares-for-three-months) a litre. \\
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\nThe policy was celebrated by transport activists, including Free Fares \u2013 which is campaigning for Community Service Card-holders, tertiary students and under-25s to travel fare-free. \\
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\nHana Pilkinton-Ching, of Free Fares, said [the results of the trial](https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/national\/128512928\/halfprice-public-transport-fares-in-nz-could-become-permanent-at-budget) so far showed that when public transport was more affordable, people used it more frequently. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t just reduce emissions, it also addresses transport poverty,\u201d Pilkinton-Ching said. \\
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\nWith the half-price fares offered from the start of April, the public transport policy will expire at the end of June. However, the Government [strongly hinted](https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/national\/politics\/300542011\/government-hints-there-will-be-public-transport-boost-at-the-budget) the fate of half-priced fares would be unveiled in May, at or around the time of the Budget.<\/p>\n
But yesterday\u2019s plan made little mention of the idea. There was a non-specific pledge to \u201cwork with local government to make public transport more affordable, with a particular focus on low-income users\u201d.<\/p>\n
University of Auckland environmental health expert Kirsty Wild\u200b was surprised by the omission. The current scheme has boosted passenger numbers, which had fallen due to the pandemic. \u201cIt\u2019s been a really positive move.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s possible the policy has been held back until Budget Day, on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to see it in there,\u201d Wild said. \u201cIt just seems like a real win-win for everyone, and gave people a bit of hope that win-win solutions are possible on climate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Government already allocates money each year to public transport. It was set to spend $390m on public transport services and improvements in 2021\/22. This is captured in the Transport portfolio.<\/p>\n
The half-priced policy was estimated to cost another $25m to $40m, over the three-month span. Using the upper estimate, half-priced fares over the four years of the first carbon budget could cost an extra $640m \u2013 roughly what the Government had set aside to help businesses purchase lower-emissions boilers.<\/p>\n
The estimates were based on historic passenger numbers, including during pandemic years. Advocates hope the policy would increase passenger numbers. The more effective it is, the more the policy will cost, particularly if additional passengers mean extra services are required. \\
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\nFares in New Zealand are comparatively expensive, compared to overseas, Wild said. \\
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\nReduced fares would help to ensure the transition was equitable, and could have a greater reach than the EV proposals, she added. \u201cPetrol\u2019s going to get more and more expensive. Lower and middle-income people \u2013 who use public transport more when you reduce fares \u2013 are particularly going to benefit.\u201d \\
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\n*For further reading of Stuff’s Forever Projects and Climate Reporter Olivia Wannan [‘The surprising omissions from the Government’s climate plan’](https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/environment\/climate-news\/128667491\/the-surprising-omissions-from-the-governments-climate-plan) article[](https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/environment\/climate-news\/128667491\/the-surprising-omissions-from-the-governments-climate-plan).* \\
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\n*The opinion article on publictransportforum.nz is for the promotion of better sustainable environmentally friendly public transport in Aotearoa New Zealand.*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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