Fare increase unlikely
12 February 2009
Public transport passengers are not likely to face a fare increase this year.
Brian Baxter, Greater Wellington’s Public Transport Design and Development Manager, says passengers’ contribution, through fares, towards overall costs was within Council guidelines. Greater Wellington’s policy is that fares comprise around half of the overall costs of providing public transport. Rates and central government funding make up the rest.
“Also, patronage is increasing steadily, at an average of about 3% per year. This gives us an increase in overall revenue levels which helps towards costs.”
“Another thing that needs to be taken into account at the moment is the recent and future disruptions train passengers will face as we upgrade the tracks and platforms in preparation for the introduction of the new Matangi trains. Passengers are less likely to accept fare increases when services are being disrupted.”
The Matangi trains, due to arrive from 2010, require major work on the Johnsonville line, a lot of which was carried out over January. Platforms at stations in Hutt Valley and Kapiti will also need to be altered for the new trains. Work has also begun on double tracking of the Kapiti line from Mackay's Crossing to Paraparaumu, and electricification of the line from Paraparaumu to Waikanae. Work is also being carried out this year to widen the Kaiwharawhara bottleneck, to reduce delays in and out of Wellington Railway Station.
Greater Wellington’s Transport and Access Committee has decided that, based on current evidence, no fare increase is necessary at this stage. However, a final decision on whether or not fares should be increased would be made by the Council in June, when it finalises the budget as part of the Long Term Council Community Plan process.
Wellington Regional Council Media Release
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