NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President, Sandra Grey, welcomed Labours election policy that would see public transport fares capped at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and $10 a week elsewhere in New Zealand. “This policy would provide real cost-of-living support for workers and their families. It would also encourage greater public transport use at a time when we need to be more careful than ever with fuel. It would help New Zealand tackle climate change. The NZCTU supports this policy.”
“We’ve been hearing from workers around the country that the cost of living remains their biggest concern. With fuel prices spiking, and a return to rising interest rates, people are looking for real help to manage prices. We know that those on the lowest incomes – who are often most dependent on public transport – are doing it toughest. That’s why we called for affordable public transport in our recent Reimaging Aotearoa Together policy platform.
“This package would save a typical 2-commuter household nearly $2,500 a year in Wellington City. It would save a single commuter already benefiting from the $50 a week fare cap in Auckland by $1,440 a year. These are tangible savings that will extend after the fuel crisis is over. Given that this Government has cut the minimum wage in real terms for three years, every little bit helps.”
Grey said “This public transport fare policy should be the start of a wider conversation about out transport needs. Aotearoa needs to consider a wider range of options to support commuters and freight getting around the motu. Instead of building massively expensive roads that do little to support growth, we should be examining how investment in rail, coastal shipping, and public transport, can add jobs and strengthen our economic resilience.”
“This package will also need support from the Government to manage the extra demand it will create. For example, government and local authorities need to make sure the terms and conditions of bus drivers are improved so it becomes an attractive career. Extra support will be needed for new routes and new infrastructure. This is a worthwhile investment, one that benefits New Zealand now and in the future, said Grey.
