FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2009

Niikki Kaye To Initiate Dialogue On Waiheke Ferry Fares

On Monday 29 June, Campaign for Fare Ferry Fares (C4FFF) presented Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye with a petition signed by more than 900 people, calling for accountability on the Matiatia to Auckland ferry route that is currently operated by Fullers (Souter Holdings).

Nikki Kaye has agreed to present the petition to parliament on behalf of her constituents, as part of the discussion on the Public Transport Management Act which is being reviewed by the government.

The petition, now signed by more than 900 people, calls for a mechanism of accountability so that fares cannot be raised without consultation with the governing transport authority, and for regulation or fair competition on the Matiatia to Auckland route.

C4FFF spokesperson Dr Cathy Urquhart says she is delighted that Nikki Kaye is taking the issue of affordability seriously and will talk to Fullers about residents’ fares.

‘It seems crazy that the poorest people in our community are the ones who pay the highest fares. If you don’t have the free cash to invest in a 10 trip ($125) or a 40 trip ($415) you end up buying a return for $32. Fullers fares have been running at over 20% above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since 2005. An ‘economic cleansing’ of Waiheke is the result – soon only wealthy people will be able to afford to live here. These high travel costs drive young people and families off the island, and the true price is loss of community’

C4FFF members will also travel in person to Wellington to talk to members of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee when the Public Transport Management Act goes under discussion later this year – presenting the petition on behalf of the signatories gives them this opportunity to speak.

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