Drop fares to cut city gridlock: MP

Bernard Orsman

super city Transport Minister Phil Twyford has floated the idea of cheaper train and bus fares to tackle gridlock in cities like Auckland and Wellington.

Twyford tweeted yesterday that the Government could increase subsidies for public transport in exchange for councils getting people out of cars and into public transport, cycling and walking.

“One of the best ways to reduce congestion is encouraging people to leave the car at home and take public transport,” Twyford told the Herald last night.

“Better public services and cheaper fares may help us achieve that. This is an idea worthy of public debate.”

His message received support from former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark, Wellington Mayor Justin Lester and Auckland councillor Chris Darby, who oversees transport issues.

Clark said the traffic problem in Auckland was chronic and lateral thinking was needed. Lester said Twyford’s idea “sounds outstanding”. Darby said the first focus should be on students and children.

A week ago Auckland Transport raised many public transport fares to try to stay within a 47 per cent to 50 per cent cost recovery range. AT spends more than $400 million a year running buses, trains and ferries.

Last week, Auckland Council voted to proceed with more work on introducing tolls to charge motorists at different times of the day to change the time, route or way in which they travel. Mayor Phil Goff also has plans for a regional petrol tax of 11.5 cents to fund transport improvements.