Auckland mayor Phil Goff is pledging to cut bus, train and ferry fares for children to half of adult fares if re-elected.
Cutting fares for children would cost $4.13m a year, Mr Goff said. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
He said getting more school children onto trains and buses would help ease congestion during the rush hour.
Mr Goff, announcing the election pledge at Manukau Bus Station this morning, predicted hundreds of dollars in savings for families and 355,000 more public transport trips.
Transport was the number one issue on Aucklanders' minds and he wanted to reduce congestion in the city, he said.
"Reducing child fares is the best way to make public transport more affordable for young people all across Auckland," Mr Goff said.
"If we get more school kids using buses, trains and ferries, particularly during rush hour school traffic, we will reduce congestion for everyone in the city."
The $4.13 million-a-year initiative will sit alongside fare-free weekends for under 16-year-olds, and work the council and government was doing on fares for Community Services Card holders.
Mr Goff said the school travel savings would add up to more than $100 a year per child.