In light of heightened public transport use and fuel price hikes, Free Fares NZ is calling on the Government to make public transport free for students, under 25s, Community Service Card holders, and Total Mobility Card Holders and their support people. The coalition has long called for public transport to be made permanently free for these groups, but the need is now more urgent than ever.

In the last few weeks, the war in Iran has impacted local fuel prices, increasing pressure on families in Aotearoa. Lower-income Kiwis, who already struggle with cost of living pressures, are being hit the hardest. “Targeted public transport fare reductions can help address this cost of living crisis and fuel shortages,” says Frances Mountier from Free Fares NZ.

“The Government has indicated that they want to help address the impacts of high fuel costs on families, but want to take an approach that targets those who most need support. Free Fares for these four key groups does that, and has a host of other benefits,” says Ms Mountier. “Students, under 25s, and Community Service and Total Mobility Card holders are some of the people most impacted by the rising cost of fuel, be that in the cost of transport or food or other goods and services. Making public transport free provides a viable alternative and eases cost of living pressures. We also call for all Total Mobility Card transport to be free for users, whatever the mode of transport.”

Free Fares NZ is a coalition of over 100 organisations, including faith groups, anti-poverty groups, universities, student unions, unions, climate organisations and councils. One long-standing member of the Coalition is Parents for Climate Aotearoa.

"For families, this current fuel crisis and the rising cost of living is making essential daily activities, like getting children and young people to school, a major burden," says Alicia Hall of Parents for Climate Aotearoa. "Free fares for school children would not only alleviate pressure at the fuel pump but reduce financial stress on hard-hit households. We call on the Government to prioritise free fares to ensure all young people can get to school without the barrier of cost." This call is echoed by organisation members, with one parent stating, "I'm having to choose between putting food on the table and putting money on my high schooler's bus card. It shouldn't be this difficult for kids to get an education because of a bus fare."

Currently, the main national discounts for public transport are the SuperGold Card, and Community Connect which gives Community Service Card holders half-price fares. Other discounts - such as those for students and Total Mobility Card holders using public transport - are applied at the Regional Council and vary widely.

"Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been holding regular updates on fuel costs — but public transport is an obvious solution,” says Ms Mountier. "Reducing fares is an immediate, affordable, efficient solution targeting those most affected by rising fuel costs."

“Because of the roll-out of more electric buses in recent years, making public transport free for who need them most is a particularly good option. Getting people to shift from cars to electric buses ensures people can still get around, and fuel can be saved for people in the regions who have less access to public transport,” says Ms Mountier. “Our transport sector is especially exposed to fuel crises because we have among the highest rates of car ownership in the world. It is long past time we move away from our reliance on cars and take up more public transport. Delivering free fares to the four groups will not also make a real difference in people’s weekly lives, making this aspect of life easier during this difficult time.”

“Of course, we would also support Free Fares for all, which would have significant benefits for the country,” says Ms Mountier.

ABOUT FREE FARES NZ

Free Fares NZ is a Coalition of over 100 organisations calling for central government funding to make public transport free for students, under 25s, Community Service Card holders, and Total Mobility Card holders and their support people. See the Coalition Members: https://freefares.nz/coalition/

Formed in late 2021, the coalition has petitioned four times to the government (for free fares for the four groups who need it most; to keep half-price fares for all that we had during covid; to the incoming Coalition government to retain the discounts that the previous government had implemented including free for kids, half-price for young people, and half-price for CSC holders; and against “private share” driven fare hikes). So far, the campaign has won half-price fares for CSC holders.

We call for Free Fares because it will reduce the cost of living for households, reduce transport emissions, and increase social connection. It will also, of course, reduce nationwide fuel demand.

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