$250mstumbling block for half-price public transport

TransportMinister Michael Wood is not ruling out bringing in permanent half-price public transport for everyone but committing to it for an entire year would cost roughly $250million. ‘‘Cheaper fares do have a role to play ... but if you just focus all of your resources on that and don’t invest in the bus drivers, if you don’t invest in the infrastructure, if you don’t invest in the decarbonisation, we won’t reach our goals.’’ On Thursday, the Government announced its threemonth half-price fares, countering a rise in the cost of living, would be extended for a further twomonths. Community Services cardholders would have permanent half-price fares