A potential fare increase as well as increases to off-peak prices for Metlink services will be decided at the upcoming Greater Wellington Regional Council meeting on Thursday, 27 February.
The council is considering a 2.2% fare increase alongside an increase in the off-peak Snapper card price by 20%. The changes come as part of the council’s annual fare review, which ensures ticket prices align with inflation and operational costs while balancing funding sources between passengers, ratepayers, and the government.
Greater Wellington Transport Committee chair Thomas Nash says
“The fare increase is necessary to maintain a fair cost-sharing model across transport users and ratepayers, claims Nash.”
“Bearing in mind our fiscal constraints, we have no choice but to increase fares to keep up with inflation and operational costs. We are also mindful of keeping rates increases affordable for everyone,” Nash said.
He acknowledged the reduction in off-peak discounts was not ideal but pointed to government plans to cut its share of public transport funding as a key factor.
“I don’t want to lower the discount for off-peak fares, but government plans to reduce its share of funding to public transport give us no choice. An off-peak discount of 30% still makes a difference for people in our community who travel at different times, and Metlink remains one of the only transport providers in the country with an off-peak discount,” he said.
Under the proposed changes, an adult off-peak fare from Karori to Wellington CBD would increase from $2.22 to $3.17, while the peak fare for the same journey would remain at $4.53.
Metlink’s senior manager of strategy and investments, Tim Shackleton, said the organisation is working with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to establish funding targets that balance affordability and efficiency.
“Last year the Government set the direction to increase public transport revenue from non-government sources, and we are working with NZTA to set achievable funding targets from fares and third-party revenues such as advertising,” Shackleton said.
Metlink’s advertising revenue has tripled over the past four years, and the organisation continues to explore alternative funding options.
If approved, the fare adjustments will take effect from 1 July 2025. SuperGold card holders will continue to travel for free during off-peak hours, and existing concession discounts will remain unchanged.
Off-peak discounts do not apply to ferry and Airport Express services. Off-peak travel is defined as before 7am for buses, and between 9am-3pm, after 6:30pm, and all day on weekends and public holidays for both bus and rail services.