Auckland's public transport third most expensive in the world

Monday, 11 June 2018

Auckland is the third most expensive city in the world for public transport.

Auckland is the world's third most expensive city in which to take public transport, a report shows.

The Deutsche Bank Mapping the World's Prices 2017 report found it costs an average of NZD$174.51 per month to take public transport in the country's largest city.

Auckland came in behind London, United Kingdom, which costs $247.07 a month and Dublin, Ireland, which costs $186.87 a month.

The report compared 47 cities with Mumbai, India, having the cheapest at just $20.73 a month.

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Former Auckland regional councillor Joel Crayford was surprised to see Auckland so high on the list in terms of public transport costs.

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Wellington came out as the 12th most expensive city, costing $143.70 a month.

Auckland Transport's website showed it charged $215 for monthly bus and train fares.

It charged between $150 and $325 for ferry trips per month – dependent on where the ferry was going.

Former Auckland regional councillor Joel Cayford came across the report and said Auckland's placement surprised him.

'I didn't think it was as bad as that,' Cayford said.

Cayford had been a councillor for 12 years and said he was involved in creating public transport policies.

He said the report gave AT a bad rap and public transport fares needed to be reduced.

Countries such as Estonia had trialled free public transport in its main city resulting in a huge increase in patronage, Crayford said.

It was now deciding whether it should be done for the entire country, he added.

Cayford said subsidies were needed for public transport in Auckland in order to get people using it.

It would be affordable if less money was spent on roads, he said.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford tweeted on February 17 about the idea of subsidising public transport fares to get people out of their cars.

'What if Government policy said to councils please maximise shift from single-occupant cars to public transport, walking and cycling. You reduce public transport fares and increase services to drive the shift and we'll support by increasing subsidies,' Twyford wrote.

AT spokesman James Ireland said there was a 'significant saving' for passengers using an AT HOP card rather than cash.

'When calculating fares AT has to find a balance that makes public transport affordable and appealing but also provides value for money for the ratepayers and taxpayers who subsidise fares,' he said.

Ireland did not respond to questions relating to Auckland being the third most expensive city for public transport or whether AT would consider trialling free public transport.