Transport fares likely to increase

A rise in most non-cash fares for bus, train and harbour ferry services is being recommended by Greater Wellington Regional Council officers.

Any decision by the council for a fare increase will be consulted on publicly in April as part of the draft annual plan process.

A report to the council’s policy and strategy committee meeting this week recommends most noncash fares increase by 1 per cent from October.

A 10- trip ticket from Wellington to Waterloo would increase from $40.80 to $41.20, a bus trip from Wellington Station to Miramar, using Snapper, would increase to $3.67 from $3.63 and a monthly rail pass to Waikanae would increase to $301.80 from $298.80.

‘‘ An increase in fare revenue would help offset costs of providing public transport services which usually increase each year,’’ regional council general manager public transport Wayne Hastie said.

‘‘Bus running costs, for example, rose by about 1.7 per cent in the last year and 3.5 per cent the year before.

‘‘Also, we’re required to ensure that fares contribute around 55 per cent to direct costs, and the increase would keep us within that ratio.’’

The recommended fare increase is in line with the council’s five- year programme, adopted in 2012.

Along with the increase in most non-cash fares, officers recommend a 50-cent increase in adult cash fares for zones 1 (inner city), 7 (between Wellington and Pukerua Bay or Upper Hutt), 10 ( Waikanae), 13 ( Otaki, Carterton) and 14 (Masterton).

Mr Hastie said the increase in zone 1 cash fares would be the first since 2010.