OPINION: Taken for a ride

Auckland Council is pitching to us a document outlining what it wants to get out of the Rugby World Cup tournament.
Legacy Goal number four is: "Making public transport a habit for Aucklanders".
Might I suggest adding the word "expensive" to this aspiration?
The full description of Legacy 4: "Through event initiatives such as integrated match ticketing, event bus and rail services, upgraded infrastructure and a region-wide communications campaign, Auckland will deliver a public transport service that exceeds expectations and leaves a lasting positive impression on Aucklanders.
"A changed perception will see more Aucklanders using public transport regularly."
So why hike the fares for rail this Sunday - ranging from adding 10c to a one-stage fare of $1.60 to adding 60c to the $8.30 for an eight-stage trip? How will that change perceptions? Not for the better.
Here's the announcement this week reminding passengers they'll need to dig deeper: "Train passengers are reminded that new fares take effect from this Sunday.
"Rail fare increases range from 10 cents for a one-stage trip to 50 cents for eight stages. Customer fares are heavily subsidised through Auckland Transport and government agencies such as New Zealand Transport Agency.
"Auckland Transport sets a maximum fare schedule after completing an annual review of ferry, bus and train fares. After its annual review Auckland Transport proposed a small percentage increase on trains only. The increase is due to an $8 million increase in costs associated with providing an additional 421 train services a week."
Okay, so the ticket prices are going up because trains are running more often... that doesn't really make sense, does it? Presumably, services are running more often with passengers on board. Or are they empty?
Yes, the trains are heavily underwritten by rates and taxes, but so are all public services and amenities. Library fees do not go up because there are longer opening hours or more books are added to the shelves.
But shunt aside the strange reasoning for a moment and cast your mind back a couple of weeks. It's not what was said on February 18:
Chief executive David Warburton told the NZ Herald the increases are aimed at bringing train fares closer to bus tariffs.
What? Back the train up.
That's right, there appears to be a strategy to align prices. If it costs five bucks to get from your local bus stop to town then, damn the actual expense to the ratepayer and the rest of the region, it's going to cost you five bucks from the local rail platform to Britomart as well.
This artificial alignment involves ratcheting prices up to meet trips of comparable distances - not the other way around.
On January 17 this year, Mayor Len Brown caught a train for one of the few times we've seen and announced he wants to double the number of Aucklanders using public transport within 10 years.
If people are on the cusp of deciding between taking their car, catching a bus or hopping on a train, then gouging another few dollars for the cost of riding our ramshackle fleet of road coaches and rail cars is only going to tip them one way. Whether they like rugby or not.
- Edward Rooney is chief reporter of The Aucklander and a bus commuter from the North Shore.