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The Aotearoa Collective for Public Transport Equity is calling on Auckland Council to provide free public transport for community service card holders, tertiary students, under-25s and total mobility cardholders.
The collective gave a presentation to Council’s planning committee earlier this month. Spokesperson Yasmin Kidd said free fares could create public transport users for life.
“Positive experiences at a young age can make lasting patterns of transport behaviour,” Kidd said. “All over New Zealand we are seeing an increase in public transport use with the temporary half-price fares.”
However, Committee Chair Chris Darby said he would refer the matter to Auckland Transport as the committee did not have the information to make a robust decision.
Independent Maori Statutory Board Member Tau Henare said the committee could do more than give platitudes.
Henare said rather than “shunting it off to Auckland Transport,” the committee could say it supported free fares.
Darby said that none of the committee had the information to make that call.
