Auckland public transport third most expensive internationally

Aucklanders often complain about the cost of public transport. Photo / File

Auckland's public transport is the third most expensive in the world, according to an international report.

Germany's Deutsche Bank has released a global price report that shows Auckland's monthly public transport cost of $173 is behind only London's $246 and Dublin's $187.

Auckland climbed from sixth place in 2016, and was now slightly more expensive than New York City at $167. Wellington came in at 12th at a cost of $143 a month.

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said Auckland Transport's research showed 80 per cent of train customers and 75 per cent of bus customers were satisfied with the service's value for money. This was up from 71 per cent and 68 per cent respectively a year ago.

Hannan said the cost of public transport was on average seven per cent cheaper than it was a year ago after some fares were reduced.

"NZ Transport Agency's policy is that 50 per cent of the cost of the fare is paid by the customer. The remaining cost is then split between NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Council," Hannan said.

A spokesman said the 50 per cent fare recovery target was relatively high by international standards.

"When calculating fares AT has to find the balance that makes public transport affordable and appealing but also provides value for money for the ratepayer and taxpayer."

The Automobile Association's Barney Irvine said Auckland members frequently complained fares were too high.

"Many people say the cost is a big disincentive to them getting out of their cars and onto the bus or train," Irvine said.

"When people call for fares to be lowered, however, we'd remind them that 50 per cent of costs are already covered by ratepayers and motorists (through fuel tax). So if we were to decrease fares, we'd be paying more through our rates and at the fuel pump, or money would be taken away from other projects."

Auckland Transport's website showed a monthly unlimited rail and bus pass was $37 more than stated in the report, at $210.

"The monthly pass cost of $210 is calculated to be very near the equivalent of 43 trips travelling across three zones (43 is the average number of trips taken per month over the whole year)," Hannan said.