Latest news with #CommunityServiceCard
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
CityLink, BusLink Fares To Increase From August
Prices will increase across Northland's public transport network from Friday 01 August with authorities saying they have been left with little choice in the matter. Northland Regional Council member Joe Carr, who chairs the Northland Regional Transport Committee, says fares on Whangārei's CityLink service will revert to their 2018 level of $3 for adults and $2 for children, an increase of $1 per journey on the present fares. Fares on the rural BusLink services will rise by 50 cents per journey from Friday 01 August. Infants up to four years of age will continue to travel free of charge. Concessions for Community Service Card and Gold Card holders remain in place for CityLink and BusLink routes. From 01 August these concessions will also apply for the first time to BusLink's Bream Bay Link and Hikurangi Link, which had not previously been able to offer these discounts. "Council recognises that cost of living pressures are impacting on Northlanders and has for many years made every effort to keep bus fares as low as possible," Chair Carr says. However, he says the council - which administers the services - had been left with very little option, but to review fares. "Regional councils nationwide are having to find additional forms of funding to cover bus operational, infrastructure and administration costs in keeping with the Government Policy on Land Transport 2024.". During Covid and to assist with the cost-of-living crisis, the government had funded several fare reduction schemes across the country, but this funding had ceased in 2023. Chair Carr says even with the increased fares, Northland's charges are still largely in line with other parts of New Zealand. He says over the past two years CityLink has also made several improvements to the service, including the introduction of the SchoolLink service and extension to Route 3, an online bus tracking system, and the Rose Street bus hub redevelopment currently underway with Whangarei District Council. The council will run an awareness campaign shortly to inform passengers of the intended increases.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Coalition Government Prioritizing Motorways Over Essential Public Transport
The Free Fares movement, a coalition of over 100 organisations, is deeply disappointed that the coalition government is prioritizing astronomically expensive roading projects over essential public transport needs in Budget 2025. 'Free Fares calls on the government to prioritise Vote Transport money towards accessible public transport for those who most need it. Free Fares calls for quality free public transport for students, under 25s, Community Service Card holders, Total Mobility Card holders and their support people,' says Free Fares spokesperson Patrick O'Connor. 'Communities are at the mercy of the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis. Public transport is the best sustainable solution to these problems. Building more roads will not improve traffic for commuters. Less investment in public transport will mean more cars, and therefore more traffic jams and congestion. 'In comparison, buses and trains take far less space and move far more people. A quality and affordable public transport system has the potential to both greatly reduce traffic woes and carbon emissions.' At the same time as 15 motorways are being built the NZTA intends to increase the 'private share of public transport operating expenditure'. This pushes councils to increase bus and train fares. This will push more costs onto working people, making daily life more difficult for already struggling New Zealanders. Many Transport Authorities have told NZTA this is not realistic. Free Fares NZ and 6000 others recently petitioned the government against the private share fare hikes. 'Free Fares advocates for community needs over the self-interests of profit' O'Connor explains. 'Public transport is a long-term investment. It increases accessibility for people to benefit from education and the labour force, which in turn allows them to contribute to the productivity and innovation of society in the long-term.' Notes: Free Fares NZ is a coalition of over 100 organisations across Aotearoa, including local councils, LGNZ, climate justice organisations, churches, anti-poverty groups, trade unions, student associations and various other community organisations. We call on the government to subsidise half-price public transport for everyone, as well as free transport for students, under 25s, Community Service card holders, and Total Mobility card holders along with their support people. Free Fares have been successful so far in securing permanent half-price fees for Community Service cardholers.
