Wellington regional councillors are poised to rule out steep fare hikes for public transport on Thursday, with agenda documents calling NZTA’s proposed revenue targets “unrealistic and unachievable”.
Last November, RNZ reported New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi (NZTA) had sent letters to all public transport authorities, laying out new expectations for how much revenue they brought in via advertising and fares – known as “private share”.
To meet the targets set for Wellington, the council estimated fares would have to rise by as much as 70% over the next three years.
Wellingtonians currently spending $10 a day on Metlink fares would spend $17 a day under the new rates.
Greater Wellington Regional Council agenda documents published on Tuesday show the NZTA target set for Wellington was the highest, alongside Otago.
