Free bus fares in Bay of Plenty could be cut back after the Government pulled its funding.
Buses have been free for anyone aged 18 or under and half price for 19-24 year olds in [Tauranga](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/tauranga/), [Whakatāne](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/whakatane/), and [Rotorua](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/rotorua/) since July last year.
But that is likely to be scaled back after the Government announced in December it would stop subsidising the fares from April 30.
Funding would continue for half-price fares for Community Services Card holders and Total Mobility users.
The move has forced the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which delivers public transport, to look at its fare structure.
If the council continued with free youth fares, it would do so at its own cost and cause rates to rise.
