Free Fares

See our press release responding to this unacceptable request for local councils to increase public transport fares: scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2411…

Free Fares NZ calls on the government to abandon their proposed fare-box recovery changes which will result in public transport fare hikes. rnz.co.nz/news/national/…

The Government’s plans will take us backwards & cause public transport fares to surge by up to 70%. They will mean that councils have to charge more for public transport, and will remove their choice from doing so. It's not too late to change course. rnz.co.nz/news/national/…

Come along to our panel in Wellington, tomorrow at 10am, for more kōrero about the removal of youth & kids public transport discounts: our.actionstation.org.nz/events/panel-e…

The suggestion that increased public transport patronage is needed to justify further investment in public transport is completely counterintuitive. We need government investment to take us towards a more sustainable, equitable transport system, not away from it. 🚍🚋

Today we had the opportunity to share on @Breakfaston1 about the how the removal of public transport discounts will only worsen cost of living pressure for families, students and young people who are already struggling to get by. 1news.co.nz/2024/04/30/end… @HanaPilk @VUWSA

"Education is a public good. Transport is a public good. Disadvantaging rangatahi through systematic barriers is not a public good." - Harris Puanaki Devon, Te Mana Ākonga tumuaki (national Māori student president). 3/3

"The removal of the transport subsidy is failing rangatahi Māori. From our rangatahi in highschool who travel to their jobs to support their whānau, to our rangatahi in tertiary who travel to class to support their communities." 2/3

"He waka eke noa tātou, our boat moves together. Unfortunately, due to the removal of half price fares for under-25s, our waka is not moving anywhere fast." 1/3

"Regardless of who we are, or what part of Aotearoa we come from, we want communities [...] where the wellbeing of those children is seen as critical and where we thrive together." - Child Poverty Action Group Executive Officer on the removal of youth & tamariki public discounts.

"Affordable public transport allows us to address some of the costs related to hardship and for the families and children affected they enable better life outcomes, better health, more choices and to be better able to contribute to society." 3/4

"Research shows that education is a way out of poverty. As the country looks to improve school attendance, policies such as free and half price public transport are a tool to support children and young people accessing education and training." 1/4

@thefutureisrail @WomenInUrbanism @FreeFares4NZ @all_aboard_akl Transport & climate advocates strongly oppose the proposed policy. It goes against all evidence for a more reliable, efficient, safe, and affordable system. We need everyone to make a submission before 2 April so that we can re-route quickly ⤵️ transport4all.org.nz

Climate & transport advocates have teamed up to help everyday Kiwis have a say on the government’s newly proposed land transport policy. Check out our submission guide & submit before 2 April! 👉 bit.ly/transport-gps 🧵More info in thread

We are shocked and saddened to learn of Fa'anānā Efeso Collins's tragic passing.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends and his colleagues at the Green Party. He was a staunch advocate for his community and for climate justice who will be greatly missed by many.

Gutted that government will no longer fund free public transport for under 13s and half price for under 25s after 30 April 2024. I’ve had so much feedback on how this policy has helped people. Half price will continue for Community Services Card holders so check your eligibility.

We are gutted to lose free fares for tamariki and half price fares for young people, but we have an important win to celebrate: the CSC and Total Mobility discounts are here to stay. 🎉🎉

“Reducing public transport fares is a vital way to address transport inequity, reduce emissions, and ease cost of living pressures.” Says Pilkinton-Ching. “These benefits are lost with the removal of the discounts, but we will continue to fight for Free Fares". (8/8)

Merinda’s message to the Government is “I know you care about putting more money into the pockets of Kiwi families. Keeping the current discounts is one of the simplest and easiest ways you can do that. If you remove them, you will be doing the opposite." (7/8)

Polling shows the majority of New Zealanders wanted the public transport discounts to be kept. Last week we submitted our petition with close to 7000 signatures calling for this. We will continue to push for affordable fares to address cost of living and climate. (2/8)