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Auckland buses Photo: Supplied/ Auckland Transport
Local councils fear public transport fare rises will see patronage plummet after a directive to pick up a greater share of the cost of buses and trains.
The Transport Agency has written to local councils and transport authorities asking them to increase their private share...from tickets sales and advertising, rather than from rates or government funding.
NZTA wants councils to raise this share from just over 20 per cent now, to as high as 40 per cent by 2027.
In Wellington, a traveller spending $10 a day on Metlink fares would have to spend $17 a day under the new rates.
In Canterbury where there has been a two dollar flat fare since last year - could rise to as much as eight dollars a ride.
Kathryn speaks to Deon Swiggs, the deputy chair of Environment Canterbury, Alexa Forbes an Otago Regional councillor who is co-chair of the public and active transport committee, and Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson.