RNZ
15 January 2024, 12:52 AM
Aucklanders will be paying higher public transport fares from next month.
From 4 February, Auckland Transport said it would increase fares by an average of 6.2 percent.
It estimated bus, train and ferry trips will be between $0.06 and $0.40 more expensive, with longer trips seeing the smallest increase.
"We are committed to keeping public transport an affordable option for all Aucklanders, so the increase for longer journeys is only 1 percent to 4 percent," AT's director of public transport Stacey van der Putten said in a statement.
"Shorter journeys on Auckland's public transport will still remain some of the most affordable in the world when compared with many other international cities."
She said the higher fares were necessary to cope with higher costs.
"Operating costs have spiked dramatically over [the past two years], driven by high inflation and staff shortages," she said.
"Adjusting fares to raise revenue is unfortunately one of the steps AT needs to take to cover these higher costs."
Van der Putten noted that a review of Auckland Transport's fare structure was underway and that its findings would be released in the coming months.