Metlink fares increasing as public transport funding squeezed
Metlink fares increase by 2.2% and the off-peak discount on Snapper cards reduces from 50% to 30% from Tuesday 1 July.
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says a modest increase in line with inflation was decided in February(external link), when the regional council agreed a reasonable discount for travel outside peak hours should continue.
To keep rates affordable, we need to increase fares at a time when public transport funding is being squeezed
“We know the cost of living remains stubbornly high for our communities but Metlink is also facing fiscal headwinds, including Private Share targets(external link) confirmed by the government this month.”
The Private Share is the proportion of public transport operating costs funded from sources including passenger fares. The remainder is the Public Share, derived from rates, taxes and other income.
“We pushed back(external link) on the initial targets, and we’re grateful our interim targets(external link) have been accepted,” Cr Ponter says.
“But a number of Metlink projects that would improve public transport, increase patronage and Private Share revenue have not been funded, suggesting a degree of misalignment in government strategy.”
Metlink estimates it is facing a $134m shortfall(external link) after more than 40 new projects it put forward for funding from the National Land Transport Programme were holistically rejected.
With the 2.2% fare increase and an off-peak discount of 30%, an adult using a Snapper card to travel 3 zones will pay $3.17 from 1 July, up from the current fare of $2.22. At peak times from 1 July, the same journey will cost $4.53.
Fares will be refunded on some Wairarapa rail line services from 1 July, however, for passengers travelling on buses replacing trains. The services are:
- 3.38pm departing Masterton,
- 6:18pm departing Wellington,
- 8.14pm departing Masterton (Friday only),
- 10.25pm departing Wellington (Friday only).
Greater Wellington deputy chair and Wairarapa councillor Adrienne Staples says the fare relief acknowledges passenger frustration over the performance of the Wairarapa Line.
“We’ve heard Wairarapa passengers loud and clear, and with partners KiwiRail and Transdev, we’re working hard to improve both the rail line and passenger services,” Cr Staples says.
“The refunds will be available until a sufficient number of train managers can be trained to resume all rail services, which we hope are back on track in September.”
SuperGold card users will continue to travel for free off-peak, and existing concessions still apply. Off-peak discounts do not apply to harbour ferry and Airport Express services.
Off-peak travel times are before 7am for buses, and between 9am and 3pm, after 6.30pm, and all-day weekends and public holidays on buses and trains.